Iphone Photography Tips: DIY Newborn Hospital Photos

How to use your iphone to take newborn photos in the hospital

These times are unprecedented and unfortunately one of the drawbacks to this time is the inability to have those gorgeous newborn photographs taken by a professional photographer. While you can’t have someone come and take your newborn photos, we are here to help with some tips and tricks that will let you beautifully capture your special little one using just your iphone. Here is an easy guide for you to use to help you get some breathtaking photos – simply with your iphone! 

When to take in-hospital newborn photos

The best time to take newborn pictures is when your baby is full and sleepy and when you are fully fed (and not in pain!) Try to take them in the daytime as nighttime won’t get you much soft, dreamy lighting. 

How to take newborn photos with your iphone – Choosing place and props

• Use those white sheets and big windows to your advantage – they make for dreamy soft-lit photos! 
• Use the bed pillows underneath the blanket (make a gap for the baby) to create a safe spot for the baby to lie while you are photographing. 
• Use a swaddle to wrap the baby (tip: ask a nurse to help or show you as they are very good at swaddling). If you don’t have a swaddle, the regular hospital swaddles are adorable too! 
• Position the baby on the bed. Try a couple of different angles – facing the window, on their back- play around a bit so you have many shots to choose from.

How to take them – lighting is everything

• The direction of light is very important. Take a look at the light source – try to make it come from above their head. Pro tip:  Check if there is a shadow under the baby’s nose or to the side.  If there is,  that’s great. Just try not to have the light ‘up the nose’ when taking the photo – this will result in something II call flashlight lighting – don’t do it as it makes for very unflattering photos. 
• If there are overhead lights causing color cast or bad shadows turn off the overhead lights. 
• If it is too sunny either draw the curtains (if they have a sheer great – use those) or perhaps have dad stand between the window and the bed to help block the light. 

Tips for using your iphone camera

• Just use the regular photo mode – portrait mode can distort the face a little and the blur just looks fake. If you want to try it go you can, but you can do it with the regular camera on the phone, too. 
• Make sure you use the regular color – you can always add filters later but I have found that the regular color of the photographs is more timeless. (unless you go black and white which are also classic looks too – but again do that after you take them!
• Make good use of the focus tool on your iphone. The yellow box that appears on your screen when you go to take a picture is there to help the camera focus on the subject. When you have your shot ready, click on the yellow box to place the focus on your newborn and you will get a more focused, clearer image.
• Control the exposure of your photos before you shoot. Directly next to the focus box is the exposure meter. If you are not familiar with the term exposure or how it affects your photos, it can help lighten or darken your images. So if you are looking through your camera and the image is too blown out (too much light so images are hard to see) or too dark you can fix it before taking the photo just by adjusting the yellow exposure slider. Adjusting your exposure before you take the picture can make the editing process a lot easier.
• I like Snapseed for the editing if you need to edit the photos but if you make sure you get it right on your phone you most likely won’t need to edit them (and what new mom has time!) 

For daily tips for photographing your tips – follow @howtophotographyourkids on Instagram or visit my teaching website at www.howtophotographyourkids.com 

Don’t forget to pin this for reference and share it with new and expecting moms and dads!