1. Find the Best Light

Light is key for any good photo. If you don’t have adequate daylight then none of your photos will turn out the way you want. It might seem counterintuitive, but start by turning off all artificial lights to let natural light do the work. Artificial light can cause discoloration in photos and background lights can be distracting.

Most hospital rooms have a decent-sized window, so capitalize on this natural light and move close to the window. Let your partner handle moving furniture if needed—new moms shouldn’t have to do this. I often adjust furniture in hospital rooms to optimize light during my sessions.

Side light (where your subject is parallel to a window) works beautifully for soft, natural shadows. You can either stand by the window or can move the sleeper couch this way and take turns sitting and taking photos of each of other holding, kissing, and snuggling your little one. The light will fall on the side facing the window with beautiful shadows falling on the opposite side.

Backlighting (with your subject directly in front of the window) can be trickier because of increased shadows on subjects, but creates gorgeous silhouette shots.

Most of my Fresh 48 shots revolve around this main window, so if you stay here, you’ll have plenty of natural light to work with.

2. Prepare the Room

This is simple! Put away things you don’t need in cabinets or move them away from the window where you’ll take most photos. It always looks best when there is less clutter in photos, so the focus is just on your subject! For bassinet shots, I’d move it right by the window so there is plenty of natural light on your sweet baby. Again, this might mean adjusting the furniture a bit.

3. Think About Composition

Think about how you want your photos to look. Do you want to center your subject or do you want to place them off-center to capture more of the environment? This is up to the eye of the beholder, but I have a few tips. Think about centering your subject vs. the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is a technique where you imagine the frame divided into thirds and place your subject along these lines for balance.

Think about the space and your subject within it. Do you want to focus on a portrait or do you want to focus on some of the environment to help tell a story? Do you want to move in close for details? You can still consider centering or using the rule of thirds to help boost your composition. I also love centering subjects in windows with backlight for silhouette shots and for interesting framing.

This is one of my favorite parts of a Fresh 48! Get in close and capture the little details—those tiny feet, little fingers, the way your baby snuggles into your arms, their expressions. These details change so quickly, and you’ll treasure these photos as your baby grows.

Within days, a week, a month, you’ll see just how much your baby will change. They grow so quickly at that age, so move in close and capture all of the little details.

Here are some to consider:

• tiny feet and toes
• little fingers holding yours
• the little clamp on the umbilical cord
• the fuzzy little ears
• facial details and expressions
• the way they snuggle in when you’re trying to figure out breastfeeding or bottlefeeding
• the way your baby snuggles into your arms
• the size of your baby’s head in comparison to your partner’s hands diaper changes, etc.

All the little moments and details matter.

5. Capture Connection

You may just be meeting your little one, but the connection between you and your baby is so special and has been brewing for 9 months. Snuggle, kiss, and hold your baby close. These intimate moments will mean the most. If you want a family photo, ask a nurse to help. These are the moments you’ll want to look back on.

6. What to Wear

Keep it simple! For moms, I recommend a comfortable gown and robe or whatever feels best to you. You won’t know how you’ll feel after delivering so plan ahead and pack a few options. Also keep in mind what will be easy to nurse in, if you can and choose to go that route. You may also want to wear the hospital gown and document the full experience and that works too! The most important part is that you are comfortable and that moms are in the photos too.

For partners, stick with neutral tones and avoid logos. Let the emphasis be on your baby and being together. Keeping things simple will keep your photos timeless.

For babies, a simple white onesie from the hospital works perfectly. Keep the focus on that sweet baby of yours! If you decide to change it out, I recommend keeping it minimal and simple. I also find large bows can be distracting and take away from the moment. Try to get some shots in just a diaper. This makes it easier to capture little feet, hands, and other details.

You can choose the hospital blanket supplied or you can create your own vision by bringing your swaddles. During Fresh 48s, I sometimes cover the bassinet mattress with one swaddle blanket that compliments the other wrapped around the baby for interest. All you have to do is just tuck it around the mattress. And you don’t have to be a master of swaddles either. If you are having a hard time, generally the nurses are very happy to help. And a good swaddle will often help your baby sleep better!

7. Consider Your Perspective & Angles

Try different angles—shoot from above, the side, or even climb onto a chair for variety. You don’t have to be too active after giving birth, but small shifts can give you unique shots.

8. What Camera to Use

Don’t worry if you don’t have a professional camera! A good camera phone is more than enough. I have an iPhone and often use the Lightroom App to shoot in RAW, which allows more flexibility for editing. Many phones have similar features, and using an app like this can give you more control over your final images. I have it set to directly send them to my Lightroom Desktop. These are settings you have to change, but shooting in RAW through the Lightroom App (there is a FREE version) allows for more flexibility in your final images if you choose to edit them.