Newborn Pictures In The Hospital
When soon to be parents begin thinking about booking a newborn photographer, they need to consider the type of newborn photography session they are going to book for their baby and newborn pictures in the hospital is a popular choice. Booking a photographer for newborn pictures in the hospital is a great way to capture not only those adorable brand-new baby features, but it is also a beautiful and emotional time as a family. You have all waiting 9 months to add your baby to the family, and why not document the first few hours or days as your family grows. This is the start of a new chapter as a family, and having newborn pictures in the hospital to illustrate this chapter is an amazing family milestone.
How Does it Work | Newborn Pictures In The Hospital
Fresh Baby sessions are newborn pictures in the hospital. Most hospital stays for moms after birth last 1-3 days, so we have time to capture that brand-new baby look. Fresh Baby sessions last approximately 1 hour, sometimes a little longer.
If you are planning newborn pictures in the hospital, it is important to plan ahead. Book your photographer a few months in advance. This is important because babies arrive on their own timeline, and can come before or after their due date. Booking a photographer in advance allows both you and your photographer to plan for the session. You will have guidance on what to do once baby is here related to the session, like how to notify your newborn photographer and also have some tips on how to prepare your family for the session. It also allows you photographer to pencil in your newborn pictures in the hospital session, so they will be available around your due date. That way your newborn photographer is able to respond to the hospital in those first few hours for your session.
Session Prep | Newborn Pictures In The Hospital
Like all newborn photography sessions booked with me, your Minneapolis newborn photographer, you will have a session prep guide that will prepare you for the session, and answer any questions you have. My Fresh Baby Session Prep Guide includes some tips on what to pack for clothing options for the session, for both you, your partner, and other children. It also covers how to incorporate some personal items that are meaningful to you into your newborn pictures in the hospital session. Things like special blankets, outfits, or gifts are easily added into your session.
Since hospital lighting can be harsh, newborn pictures in the hospital sessions are always scheduled during the day to allow me to take full advantage of nature light. Nothing is more flattering than soft light from these hospital windows. I like to also schedule the newborn pictures in the hospital session to start mid-morning. That gives you enough time to get ready for the session. I know how hard childbirth can be on a body, and want to give you plenty of time to do things like shower, dress, and put on any makeup for the session. My goal is always to make sessions as stress free for moms, and that applies to studio and hospital newborn photography sessions.
The Fresh Baby Session Prep Guide also covers what to expect for the session. Most hospital rooms are small, with limited light. Having photographed in hospital rooms often, I know a lot of tricks to take full advantage of the space and light. I will probably move some furniture, and end up photographing your family in different spots in the room.
While the session is a candid and documentary style session focused on newborn pictures in the hospital, I also provide some relaxed pose and interaction guidance. This lets you have some purpose to interactions, letting you interact as a family but also be in beautiful poses and lighting. You will have a lot on your plate, seriously you had a baby hours before the session. I will take complete care of what to do in the session, so you can relax and enjoy snuggles with your new baby.
Unlike a posed studio photography session, Fresh Baby sessions use very limited props and baby isn’t placed in the traditional newborn poses. I will bring some simple props with for your newborn pictures in the hospital. These are props like neutral swaddles, simple outfits, and blankets. This adds a little style and texture to newborn pictures in the hospital.
Types Of Images | Newborn Pictures In The Hospital
During your newborn pictures in the hospital session, I will focus on a few different types of images. While each newborn pictures in the hospital session is different, I try to stick to a similar flow for the session. I want to give you a gallery that captures your growing family with subtle hospital backdrop details. Your session will be the perfect balance of knowing the session took place in the hospital, while focused on your family’s joy and connection of this magical moment.
I like to start with images of baby alone. Newborn pictures that focus on the baby in the hospital. Images of baby in their bassinet, their newborn hospital hats, baby bracelets, and more. All of these little details that are unique to a newborn pictures in the hospital session.
I like to take newborn pictures of baby with each parent next. I start with one parent alone, and then add in the other for family pictures. Then switch, and get pictures of the other parent with baby alone, and then everyone together.
If baby has siblings, getting pictures of baby and older brother / sister together is a must for me. As a mom myself, I know most of my favorite pictures of my kids are ones of them together. Some parents have had me there to document big siblings meeting baby for the first time. That is an amazing first to incorporate into a newborn pictures in the hospital session. That first look at baby, the first time they touch them, the first time they hold baby, and more. So many amazing moments can be captured during your newborn pictures in the hospital session.
I’ve even had the opportunity to photograph grandparents meeting their grand baby for the first time. There is something special about grandparent love for babies. You can latterly feel the love pouring out of them.
I have also had some parents line up special things that happen in the hospital to be scheduled during their newborn pictures in the hospital. For example, I photographed one baby getting their footprints taken by labor and delivery nurses, and it was so much fun to capture in photographs.
Things To Consider | Newborn Pictures In The Hospital
Each hospital is different, and what they allow following a baby’s birth. Be sure to check with them and see what their visitation rules are. Once you book your session, I will also reach out to the hospitals and discuss the session with them. I have photographed Fresh Baby Sessions at a variety of hospitals ( Northfield Hospital & Clinics, District One Hospital Faribault, Owatonna Hospital, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus) and they all have different expectations for visitor and newborn pictures in the hospital photographers.
The world is a crazy place right now, and hospital visitation guidelines can change quickly and drastically. I wish I was able to control these things, but if we have learned anything over the last few years, it is that we need to find ways to adapt to a changing world. If for some reason I am unable to enter the hospital for the session, your funds will be refunded or I will offer a studio session instead. But let’s hope it doesn’t get to that point, and we can book your newborn pictures in the hospital session and have no complications.
