Preparing for Your In-Hospital Newborn Photoshoot
If you’re an expectant parent, there’s no doubt that you have plenty of things on your mind when it comes to preparing for the new addition to your family.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF ESSENTIAL ITEMS THAT EARN A CLEAR SPOT IN YOUR HOSPITAL-READY BAG, BUT ONE OF THE LAST THINGS YOU’RE PROBABLY THINKING ABOUT IS WHAT TO BRING FOR YOUR HOSPITAL NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT.
As an in-hospital newborn portrait photographer with Bella Baby Photography, I have some insight that I’d like to share so that everyone can have the best experience with their "fresh 48" session
Some hospitals have a staff of photographers, like myself, who may visit you to do a newborn session right there in your room.
Be sure to check with your hospital to see if they offer this service.
Regardless of whether you plan on utilizing the hospital’s photographers or hiring your own photographer to visit for the session, planning ahead will help to ensure your satisfaction with the final product.
Even if you don’t hire a professional photographer to take your baby’s photos, bringing these items along can even help to take your iphone pictures to the next level.
So... let's begin! What are some essential hospital photoshoot must-haves?
A Blankie
If a baby blanket is something you already have on your checklist, then you're already ahead of the game.
Not only are they important for keeping baby nice & warm, but blankies is also great for use during a newborn photoshoot!
You can use it as a backdrop or wrap baby up for some super cozy photos.
A Swaddle
Babies love to be swaddled – it reminds them of being all squished up in the womb! Newborns tend to be MUCH more relaxed and happy if they’re swaddled up nice and tight. Not only is swaddling calming to baby, but they look super adorable all wrapped up. Chances are, your photographer is probably a pro at swaddling baby up to be an ultra-tight photogenic burrito! I recommend swaddles that have a good amount of stretch to them. Bringing a variety of colors and patterns will help your photographer to optimally compose the shot.
A Hat or Bow
As much as I love the simple blue/pink hats that the hospitals provide, bringing a cute newborn hat or bow to the hospital can really bring out some personality in your photos! Make sure it is newborn size so that it fits correctly. I personally love the hats that have a long pointy top or little ears on them! Oversized bows can really emphasize how teeny tiny baby girl is. I like to take some photos with a hat/bow and some without for some good variety. Hats are also great for covering up any unsightly baby dandruff, crazy hair, and misshapen heads.
Props & Signs
This is a fun one, but try not to go too crazy with it! Generally it’s best to stick with one prop per image. You don’t want to distract from the true focal point of the image – your sweet little baby! However, having a cute prop in the photo can really set it apart. There are tons of options online for custom signs and cute newborn props! Letterboards, custom wooden signs, tiny stuffed animals, etc. are a fun way to spice up your session! They also make for some great nursery decorations once you go home.
Soothing Items
Aside from the items that will be included in the image, there are a few other things that can help to ensure your session goes as smoothly as possible! Keeping baby relaxed and comfortable makes the session much more successful. If you're using a pacifier - make sure to have one handy in case baby gets fussy! Pop that thing in for a minute and hopefully they'll fall right asleep, allowing the photographer to quickly pop it back out and grab a few shots. Another helpful tip is to play some white noise, whether it's using a white noise machine or an app on your phone. Newborns love the sound of white noise (that's probably what everything sounded like while they were in the womb!) and it can be a lifesaver if they're getting a little fussy.
I would also like to point out some things to AVOID using
during your in-hospital newborn session...
Oversized Outfits
Outfits are something I like to avoid for 2 reasons. First, like I mentioned above, newborns are happiest when they’re swaddled up nice and tight. When you unwrap them and dress them in a onesie or shirt & pants, they tend to get fussy because they feel insecure. Another reason I advise to avoid dressing the baby in outfits, is because most of the time the clothes are too big. I run into this issue every day at my job – people bring these SUPER CUTE going-home outfits that they want to use for their photoshoot, but they are waaayyy too large for their teeny tiny newborn. They tend to look awkward being swallowed in all of that loose fabric. Of course, if you have your heart set on using a special outfit for your newborn session, that is totally up to you! I would recommend waiting until the end of the session to change baby into the clothes in order to prevent them being fussy for the entire session.
Large or Potentially Dangerous Props
Hopefully this is a no-brainer, but I'd like to include it on this list just in case! Please be sure that whatever props you bring for your photoshoot have no potential for hurting baby. This includes items that are large, heavy, or unsteady. Avoid putting baby in a situation where anything could fall on top of them. Don't include anything that could scratch or pinch baby. If your photographer brings a prop that you're not sure about safety-wise, be sure to speak up! After all, this is your session and your baby's safety is of the utmost priority!
Conclusion
At the end of the day, your photographs should be about your baby and capturing
this special time of the beginning of their life.
Even if you don't bring ANYTHING to the hospital with you, your photos can still turn out beautiful!
At my job, I improvise and adapt to each situation that I encounter and use other materials like sheets and hospital blankets/swaddles to compose my shots.
So, don't worry too much if you forget some (or all) of the items on this list!
If you have any questions or would like to inquire about photography services,
please don't hesitate to reach out!
