I really feel for all the pregnant mamas out there who are holding it together during this really crazy time in our collective history. When I was pregnant, I remember having so many strong emotions and mixed feelings as it was, and that was without a global pandemic looming overhead! I know so many of you who have had to go to doctor’s appointments completely alone, wait longer for test results, and worry about what it will be like on the delivery day. I hear you, and I wish I could be there to help each and every one of you in some way.

Normally I would be able to greet you in the hospital or in your home for a sweet Fresh 48 or At-Home Newborn Session once your baby is born, capturing your family in those first hours and days. Since I can’t be there to document this time in-person, I still want you to feel empowered to take photos of this moment with confidence. So to all of you who are currently pregnant or doing your best to support a pregnant partner, here are my photography tips for a DIY Fresh 48 in quarantine. I hope it helps to take off some of the pressure!

P.S. All of these tips work just as well with an iPhone!

Top 5 Tips for DIY Fresh 48

Turn off overhead lights and bring baby by a window. The very first thing is to get the yellow and orange hues of artificial lights out of your photos! Many postpartum rooms and maternity floors have wonderful window light in each room. Bring your sweet babe the window and let that gorgeous natural light do its work.
Note: if the light coming through is very harsh, many rooms have shades that can act as diffusers, or see if you can position baby on the opposite side of the window where the light may be softer. Play around to see what works and avoid very harsh light spots!
Hold baby in your arms. A baby held lovingly in their parent’s arms is my idea of a perfect newborn photo. You can capture the pure love of mom or dad staring down at their child, and it’s also a great time to show the size difference (for example, baby’s tiny hand resting on dad’s giant hand). If you’re on the fence about being in these photos yourself (I’m talking to you mama), just do it. It’s so worth it for your memories!
Place baby in a bassinet. Most hospital bassinets are clear so that you can see baby’s entire little body from different angles.
Pro tip: nurses are the very best swaddlers ever! So ask a nurse to help you swaddle your baby for the photos.
Details are everything! Whether baby is in the bassinet or held in mom or dad’s arms, don't forget to capture the tiniest of details: wrinkly hands and feet, squished noses, hair if they have any, etc.
Include siblings. If baby has siblings, of course you’ll want them in the photos too. Whether or not the siblings actually hold the baby is a very personal decision based on age and maturity level. Having the baby swaddled in the bassinet with an older brother or sister playing with their tiny fingers or toes is a great work around for kids who are too young to hold their family’s new baby.
Note: if your hospital is currently restricting visitors, you can still do these photos at home at a couple days old and you won’t be missing out!

Before I go, I wanted to share that it’s never too late to photograph your baby. Whether your sweet little one is one day, one week, one month, or even a few months old, they are still SO TINY in the scheme of things! You may feel a pang of sadness in your heart to not be able to schedule a true “newborn” session, and that feeling is okay and valid. I just want to reassure you that the iPhone photos you take right now will still be beautiful memories until we can meet again safely and I can photograph your whole family enjoying new babyhood.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Sending you all virtual hugs!

Alice