You have spent months preparing for the day your baby will enter the world. And although a delivering mama doesn’t need another thing to worry about, ensuring that her little one’s arrival is photographed is often at the top on her list. With the current restrictions at hospitals, your plans of capturing this special moment can’t happen as planned – photographers are not allowed and you are limited to one visitor. Now baby’s here, or about to be here and you want to capture all the details of the day before you forget them! So now what? Well, here are 10 images you shouldn’t miss…

1. BABY STATS  Make sure to capture baby getting measured and weighed! And don’t forget his or her placard with the name and stats. 2. FIRST GLANCES  Those loving first looks at baby are priceless. When you first meet your baby you won’t be able to take your eyes off of him/her. Make sure you capture that look, it’s pure magic! 3. DON’T FORGET DAD  When baby is born Dad is usually the one running around taking all of the photos. Make sure someone takes some images of Dad loving on baby too. 4. FIRST BATH There will be plenty more baths in baby’s lifetime, but this first one is special. 6. TINY FEET  Who doesn’t obsess over teeny, tiny baby feet? Make sure to photograph them as much as you can. That is, is you can stop kissing them long enough! 7. FIRST FAMILY PHOTO  Take a minute and grab your first family photo. Don’t worry if everyone isn’t perfectly put together or looking at the camera. The tender and sweet, natural moments are often the most memorable anyway. Feel free to ask a nurse to take a quick shot for you! 8. HOLDING HANDS  Baby’s fingers gently wrapped around a grandparents or parents finger is one of the sweetest moments. The contrast between young and old, and the bond that will never be broken. 9. DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS.  The newborn details are so very unique. The little tufts or hair, baby’s tiny fist, pouty lips and fingers in her mouth are all details you don’t want to miss. First yawns, funny faces, and stretches are all newborn traits that are so fleeting and will soon be just a memory.Make sure to capture the details in your hospital room too. Get a shot of the name plaque in the bassinet, gifts and flowers that friends and family sent, the hospital swaddle blanket and beanie and even baby’s pacifier. All are details that will soon be forgotten if not captured. 10. MEETING SIBLINGS & GRANDPARENTS There’s nothing sweeter than siblings meeting baby for the first time. And eventhough this can’t happen at the hospital, make sure to be ready to capture it as soon as you get home. Also, don’t forget to capture when grandma and grandpa can finally come to first meet the new baby. Don’t forget they are brand new grandparents too and they will treasure these memories forever.

My Best Hospital Photo Tips

• Use the window light. Turn off the flash on your camera. Position the subject right by the window. Roll the bassinet right up next to the window. If there is direct sunlight streaming in, place the baby just out of the direct light so that the sun isn’t shining directly on them or pull the curtain or blind a bit to diffuse and create a softer light. • Use a low aperture on your camera. If you know how to use your camera on the Aperture Priority or Manual setting, set it to the lowest possible aperture. This will create a beautiful soft background which are less distracting and let the most light in. If you are using your iPhone, use the Portrait mode. • Don’t worry about posing, swaddle the baby and lay him or her in the bassinet. Capture all of his or her unique and delicate features. Don’t forget the stretches and yawns! • Remove the clutter from the room or the are you are shooting before you take your photos. This will make a huge difference in your images. • Get up close and get sweet, intimate connections with your subjects, but don’t forget to step back and take a shot of the entire room. You’ll want to remember the scene later.

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michele@micheletaylorphoto.com   |   708-359-8881   |   newborn + children + family + pet photographer