In this blog post, I’ll give you 5 helpful tips to take the best photos of your newborn baby at the hospital! These are also known as Fresh 48 Sessions.
And if you want to download this information, check for a link at the bottom of the post to receive my free guide!
To take your own photos, you don’t have to use a fancy camera, you can take these with your iPhone or other mobile phone. For editing, I recommend downloading the free Adobe Lightroom app and play around with adjusting the lighting and contrast. However, try not to get too carried away with your editing or use of filters! It’s best to keep your images looking natural and not over edited.
1- Get the Light Just Right
Take your photos in the morning or early afternoon to utilize the best natural light. However, you’ll want to avoid direct sunshine.
Turn off all of the lights in the room. Hospital room lights are harsh and cast blue, orange or yellow colors.
If there are any blinds or curtains in your hospital room windows, open them up as wide as you can!
2-Move into the Window Light
Most hospital baby bassinet beds are on wheels and can be moved around the room. Have your partner or a nurse help you unlock the wheels and move it over to the window to get baby closer to the natural window light. You can put the bassinet parallel to the window and then perpendicular for different lighting. Try to have baby facing the window light to avoid shadows on their face.
3- Shoot from all Angles
Take photos from many different angles and positions! When baby is in the bassinet you can shoot from above, from each side, through the sides of the bassinet (if it is transparent) and with the window behind it and in front of it. There are so many different options to produce different images!
Try to get their little name tag sign in the photo with your baby!
Get in close to the baby while they are in the bassinet and take a photo through the side of it, and then…
…take a step back and take another photo at a wider angle for a different image!
4- Get the Details
Don’t be afraid to get in close to get all of those little details! Get close up pictures of baby’s feet, hands, ears, nose, lips and the little swirl of hair on the back of their head!
When getting photos of their hands or feet remember to turn their hospital band around so you can see the name in the photo!
Have Mom or Dad put baby’s feet in their hands to show just how tiny their feet are!
5-Get in the Photo
I know most moms are not going to feel up to being photographed shortly after having a baby but I insist that you get in some of the photos with your precious new baby!
You can hand the camera over to your partner but I also suggest buying a little flexible tripod (like this one on Amazon) to put on the window sill or the hospital bed tray and set the timer on your camera or phone to get you, your baby and even your partner in the photos together!
I promise you that you will treasure these images forever and one day, your child will too!
When getting photos of yourself or Dad with the baby, have someone help you move the chair closer to the window. (Please do not try to move the chair or baby bassinet by yourself!) It’s best to sit at a 45-degree angle to the window.
You can also sit on the side of the bed and face the window for the best use of natural light.
Take photos of baby with the hospital items like the receiving blanket and onesie they provide, then take photos of baby unswaddled and without a onesie, just in their diaper. Then you can take photos of baby with a few of the cute items you brought for them like a hat, headband, cute onesie, and swaddle wrap, etc.
Good luck and please feel free to reach out and ask me any questions or message me if you need help with editing!
In addition to coming to the hospital for your Fresh 48 session to capture photos of your precious new bundle of joy, I can also come to your home for a newborn photo session!
I promise your lifestyle newborn session will be laid back and relaxing. The last thing parents need to stress about is a photo session! So check out my website and my gallery of newborn images and get in touch for all of the details!
Want to download these 5 Tips to Take Your Own Hospital Photos?!
Just click this link or the image below to receive my free download!
Do you have questions or concerns about a photo session?
Are you expecting a new baby this year?
Please get in touch to ask me anything or to book your session!
You can learn more about my newborn sessions here,
and go have a look at my newborn gallery!
I’d love to connect with you over on Instagram!
~All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography ~
Mary Beth Miller Photography has over twelve years of experience and specializes in lifestyle newborn photography in Pittsburgh PA and many of the surrounding areas.
Such great tips!
This is such wonderful information!
Love this! Thanks so much for sharing your expertise!
These tips are so helpful. Thanks for the ideas!
I have a mirrorless canon r6 want to capture newborn pictures at the hospital what should I put setting on for hospital light.