You are almost due.  Your hospital list is ready and you are packed.  No doubt your camera is right at the top of your bag.  But have you thought about what pictures to take at the hospital?  Most soon-to-be parents believe these important moments will take care of themselves.

But giving birth is a stressful time and emotional time.  Plan ahead or you’ll regret not preparing for these amazing moments and the picture perfect opportunity to capture them as they are happening.  We are counting on them to be baby’s first Lil’Grams after all!  Believe it or not, the hospital is one of the best places to get a great shot of your new baby.  Here’s why, and here are our Top 10 Newborn Photography Tips for the Hospital.

Tip #1.  Pack three or four SIMPLE OUFITS, and a matching hat!

We think single colored, long sleeve onesies are great.  And nothing looks cuter than a newborn in a hat!  If you are going to unbundle your bundle from the expert swaddle job those nurses do, make sure baby is warm!  Otherwise baby will cry.  See point #2.

Your baby will spit or drool, and you won’t want to change your infant right away.  Take a few close-up shots and then wait until you have to change baby’s diaper before trying again.   Having multiple outfits will take the stress out of the situation.

Tip #2. Help Baby Stay Calm – Timing is Everything

A calm baby is a photogenic baby.  Be sure the baby has recently been fed and changed before snapping shots.  The good news is that newborns sleep a lot and tend to sleep through almost anything after they’ve been fed.  It’s amazing!  That’s why photographers can put them in all sorts of positions without waking them up.

Tip #3.  Pose the Baby

Newborns do not pose, and since they will be sleeping so much, you’ll need to make sure you set up the shot.  If they are laying sideways, put hands next to each other.  Put your finger into their little hand and have someone take a picture (close up!).  Cross their little feet over each other and take a shot looking up.  We bet these simple, soft movements won’t wake up the baby!

Tip #4  Lighting is Everything

This is the best reason why most hospitals are a great location for pictures.  Most rooms have HUGE windows which means great natural light.  Roll that bassinet in front of the window, put your back to the light and take some shots.  Make sure you do it at the right angle so that you aren’t blocking the light and creating a shadow on the baby’s face.

Do NOT put the baby against the window with the light behind you unless you know how to use fill flash (flash is BAD, see point #6).  Take pictures at different angles and you’ll get beautiful changes in light that reflect on your angel’s face.

Tip #5  Backdrop is the Other “Everything”

Pack a white or light colored blanket.  If the baby’s outfit is pink, don’t be afraid to use a lighter pink as the backdrop.  It can create a very elegant picture.  Just stay away from bright colors or prints.  Unless you are very good at PhotoShop, correcting these images will be difficult.  Light colors are easier to manage in post-production.

Cover the baby’s bassinet with the blanket whenever you can (take the baby out first, please!).  You’ll want to take random pictures and so will your guests.  Imagine your surprise when grandma gets the perfect shot of baby without even trying!  A busy backdrop or the ugly hospital sign with someone’s bad handwriting will ruin a great close-up.

Tip #6  Avoid the Flash

Natural light will show off that baby skin best.  Flash will throw off the color and accentuate redness.  Avoid it whenever you can.

Tip #7 KISS (Keep it Simple Silly)

Props and toys in photos can be distracting. Clear away clutter.  Your baby’s face is the cutest thing in that room.  Don’t clutter portraits with stuffed animals unless you are doing it for a specific reason.

Tip #8  It’s Digital… So Snap Away

Take at least 5 pictures of a single shot.  This is why professionals always seem to get it right.  Even the slight shift in your baby’s expression can make or break a photo.  Make sure you bring at least 2 extra memory cards for your camera.  They aren’t that expensive anymore and you’ll be upset if you run out of memory.

Tip #9 Put Your Spouse to Work

YOU just had a baby.  If you are usually the shutterbug in the family, make sure you talk to your spouse about his or her new role – as photographer!  If they don’t willingly volunteer use the “labor” card!  That’s right… YOU did all the work, the least he/she can do is take over as family photographer for a few days!

Tip #10  Make a List of Possible Milestones

Even if you discussed the pictures you want to take (see point #9), don’t trust memory.  Make a list of the hospital pictures you are dreaming about.   Here are a few that we’ve seen parents post at Lil’Grams:

Baby’s First Hospital Milestones:

First moment with mom/dad

First moment together (three of you + siblings) as a family

First moment with grandparents

First bath (if hospital allows it)

First time on the scales

First feeding (cover up mom if she’s uncomfortable)

First bottle feeding

First swaddle lesson (yes, there will be more than one)

First pediatrician check up (they come to your room)

- write down the name of the doctor if you are detail oriented

First manicure (most babies are born with really long nails!)

- This is a great time to test the Macro mode of your camera

Try to take a picture of baby with everyone that visits the hospital.  They make great gifts, Lil’Grams and photo books later.

We hope this Top 10 Newborn Photography Tips for the Hospital list makes it into your hospital packing list!  Good luck!  And don’t forget to track your Baby’s Growth in Pictures after you bring them home!

If we missed any milestones please add them.  We will be sharing them with our Lil’Grams parents!