In honor of Ethan’s birthday coming up tomorrow (9/5) and wanted to share a post for all of you expecting moms out there who were hoping to have a fresh 48 session once the baby was born. I know that Corona Virus has stopped us from having these amazing sessions from happening and it makes me so sad because I just LOVE them! I love getting to see you and your new little growing family and meeting your precious little one for the first time just a few hours old! It’s so heart warming and I just love everything about it. So, here I am, bringing you my love for Fresh 48’s right into your own hands. You can do this, and you can do this with just your cell phone!
Capturing these first days of your baby’s life is so important! You don’t get that time back! Come their first birthday…. and even their 6th, like Ethan will be, I always look back on his actual birthday and it is just so amazing to see the little person who he is growing up to be! I want the same for you. Do no be scared. I promise, I will give you tips to get the best images of your sweet little baby and even though you just had a baby, I want you to also hand the camera over to dad and have him snap a few photos of you with that little person who has been kicking you for 9 months!
When you go into labor the last thing you’re thinking about is that you want to tell a story. So here I am to tell you, that is what you are doing with these photos. You are telling YOUR story. your BABY’s story. A story that you and your family and even that baby can look back to years to come.
TIP 1: Take a photo of the outside of the location you will be having your baby. You will most likely not remember to take this photo on your way into the hospital, but if you can remember to take one on your way out, you should. This photo is the start of where your family started.
Tip 2: Hospital Details- The Room, The board with your nurse info on it, the hallway…. maybe even the ice dispenser because hospitals have the best ice chips! Your favorite snack you had during labor. I know what you are thinking… Who does that…. well… I do. I do my friend. And when I look back at the snack and the hospital rooms, wow, you better believe I get ALL THE FEELS!
TIP 3: When a nurse comes in to check on baby. Get them in a few photos caring for your little one.
TIP 4: Open the window shade and let that natural light inside. Turn OFF the lights in your room. Bring the baby close to the window and position him(her) so that the natural light is coming from the side or at an angle on the top of the head. The light like this will help highlight those beautiful baby features. I suggest taking the photo “Into” the room where your back is to the window. This lights up the room nicely.
Tip 5: If there are siblings coming to visit, this is a must have shot! Notice the natural light coming from the side where the window is and babies are facing the window lighting up their faces.
Tip 6: Take them out of the bassinet and onto the bed for a different view/look.
Tip 7: Baby Details! THESE are MUST have photos! Take a photo of the name tag on the bassinet. The baby will have the sweetest little features- capture them! Their fingers, feet, hair, eats, nose, lips! You can never have too many detail photos of your baby!
Tip 8: prop the phone up on a table ( or order a cell phone tripod) set it up where you and dad are together looking at baby. You can set a self timer OR you can get this remote.
Here is the list of all I mentioned for you to see a little clearer without the images incase you need to copy and paste easily to make notes.
Must have shots:
Overhead shot of baby in the bassinet (full body)
Overhead shot of baby in the bassinet (from the waist up)
Details of his nose, ears, hands, feet, and bellybutton
Dad holding baby, giving Eskimo kisses, or attempting to swaddle/change a diaper for the first time
Mom nursing her new babe or snuggling, standing up
Hospital Details- Front of building, hall way, bed, snacks, etc
Nurse coming in to check baby
any cute outfits and accessories
** Remember to keep the lights off and use the natural light from the window. If you can shoot INTO the room that will give you best light. If not, thats fine- you have a cute baby so really just take the photo!
Here are s a few editing apps I love to use! I always brighten up all of my phone photos before sharing them especially on instagram. Some of the photos on my feed are an iPhoto shot edited to my style in Lightroom! Lightroom is my #1 editing app!
MY Favorite Apps to edit with:
Lightroom Mobil
PIC TAP GO
VSCO
I wish I were able to capture these moments for you, but I know you can do it! Do not stress out- if you can not do it, thats okay. Just take as many photos as you can to have forever and do not put your phone in the washing machine like I did a week after I had Henry. Let me be the first to tell you, you will cry a lot if you do this! I hope these tips are helpful for you!! If you have any questions I am happy to help!
If you need help in photo editing your fresh 48 photos, I would love to do this for you! Contact me and we can chat about editing.
Congratulations, momma! Motherhood is the best, hardest, life changing gift in the world!
