You are having a baby in the middle of the pandemic and you now can no longer have your photographer present for the Birth or your Fresh 48 session – so, what do you do?

I am so sorry that this pandemic has thrown a wrench in your birth plans! The birthing process has so many unexpected turns, so adding a pandemic is certainly causing a bit more anxiety! 

Today, I want to give you soon tools to help you and your partner take beautiful Fresh 48 photos with your iPhone. Of course, they will not be the same as have a professional photographer, but they will be beautiful memories that you will cherish for years to come.

Here is what you are going to need: 

–A phone with a good camera (such as an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy), If your phone has portrait mode you will want to use that!

–Help, you just had a baby and are probably a bit sore! Make sure your partner or nurse is there to help you. 

–Patience, it may take a few minutes to get the hang of what you’re doing or the baby maybe a bit fussy. Take your time and don’t stress. Your images don’t need to be perfect – You just want to captures this part of your story. 

Here are some general camera tips:

-Use portrait mode if your phone can. This will soften the image and blur the background a bit. 

-Turn off your phones flash

-Keep it simple. Don’t try to use props or wrap the baby fancy. 

-Take pictures from several angles. when baby in in the bassinet, take pictures from overhead, the side and from the top. Avoid photographing up toward the nose.

-Take pictures up close and from a few feet back 

-Find your phones timer in case there is no-one to take a picture of you with your newborn.

Let’s talk about lighting. 

Good lighting will always make you images look better. 

It is usually best to photograph in the morning or the evenings – but if it is overcast or raining you can usually get away with photographing during midday. 

Most hospital rooms usually have big windows. Open those up and turn off all the artificial lights in the room. Bring the bassinet close to that beautiful window light. If the light seems too sunny, wait until later in the day to photograph. 

It’s all in the details. 

Newborns are unimaginatively beautiful and perfect in every way.

So capture all those tiny details! Newborn are changing so fast, they will even change before you leave the hospital! Here are some details you will want to capture:

-Hand & fingers, Toes & Feet

-Belly and umbilical stump

-Hair (if baby has any)

-Face Close-up

-ID band and hospital card

Finally, Make sure you get in the picture too.

As moms, we are usually also the photographer in the family and we forget to get in the picture. So while you are taking pictures, ask your partner or a nurse to snap a picture or two of you and your newborn. 

And don’t forget a quick family picture too. Most nurses are happy to snap your first family picture so don’t hesitate to ask. In a pinch you can prop up your phone on a table and set the timer. 

I know having a baby during a pandemic is not what you had planned! 

Don’t worry, when it is safe to do so, we can schedule your newborn session. Until then I am here to support you in anyway I can. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I can even FaceTime you and walk you through photographing in your hospital room. 

Love and (((hugs)))

Tori