You'll never forget the feeling of your baby's first day earthside, but the details? Well, those might get a bit hazy. Between the feedings, checkups, and paperwork — not to mention the physical and emotional whirlwind — the first 24 hours tend to whiz right by. You snap what feels like a million photos on your phone only to realize later on that they're all nearly identical overhead shots of your newborn snoozing in their bassinet, but none of the bits and pieces that tell the whole story.
You don't need to plan a photo shoot to capture memories on your baby's first day. In fact, you shouldn't do anything more than care for yourself and your baby that first day … So hand your partner or another support person this low-pressure shot list. They can keep an eye out for moments as they happen while you focus on recovering and getting to know your baby — no posing or social-media sharing required.
Whether your baby's first hours unfold at home, in a hospital room, or in the NICU, these are the photos you may be especially glad to have later.
Special mementos
The cozy hat a grandparent made, the stuffie from your best friend, the rainbow booties you've been saving for months … It's amazing how such small objects can tell a big part of your baby's story, and both you and your little one will be glad to have a picture showing how a favorite belonging came into their lives.
"I started a tradition of handknitting and hand-embroidering pieces while I was pregnant with each of my four kids," says Ashleigh Stone (@ashleighbstone). "Then I brought a Polaroid camera with us to the hospital to take pictures of the items I made with the babies. It ended up being a fun, easy way to capture those special details."
However you choose to photograph the item, there's no need to stage an elaborate scene. You could tuck a lovey beside the baby after naptime. Or prop booties on a shelf or chair and use portrait mode to keep the focus on the details.
Skin-to-skin snuggles
Nothing beats the "wow" of your little one finally being in the arms of the people who'll love them most. Ask your support person or a nurse to take a few snaps of you and any other family members getting in those first cuddles.
"There are so many pictures taken of mom and baby (rightfully so), but I think it's really sweet to capture dad and baby solo too," says Courtney Capata (@clcapata). "That one means so much to me because I can see the joy in my husband's eyes."
And if cuddling has to wait because your baby needs special medical attention, a photo of a parent gently touching your baby's hand or resting a hand beside an isolette can capture an early moment of connection, too.
Those teensy newborn features
Newborns change unbelievably fast. Get in close to snap pictures of those curled toes, wisps of hair, pouty lips, or feathery eyelashes — even the little bits of flaky skin or the stork bites that fade over time.
"Detail photos are important because they capture the memories that fade the quickest," says Seattle-based newborn photographer Lauren Mitchell (@laurenmitchellphotos). "But these are the moments that transform you, as each person in the family changes roles. These are the tiniest, biggest moments of your life!"
You can take these photos wherever the baby's most comfortable, including an isolette.
The first look
You might hear "first look" and automatically think of weddings, but it's just as applicable — and just as important — in the context of getting to know your newborn. After months of imagining your baby and poring over every grainy ultrasound, you finally get to study their actual features.
"This is the moment my life finally felt complete," says Aubrey Lawson (@aubrey_rae.lo).
Ask someone to take a picture of you looking at your baby, rather than at the camera, and encourage a few candid shots. Let the hospital gown, IV, and blankets stay in frame — they're part of what these hours actually looked like.
The first feeding
Consider asking someone to capture one of your baby's earliest feedings. Maybe it's an arm cradling your little one nuzzled against your chest or your partner or a grandparent helping with a bottle. The photo doesn't have to show any more than you're comfortable with; a close crop of hands can convey plenty of tenderness.
“My brother-in-law captured this first feeding in the delivery room," shares Shira Sussi. “Lior was the firstborn on both sides of our families, so everyone — aunts, uncles, grandparents — were waiting in the lobby and visited before we were transferred to the maternity ward. I love this tender moment of our first hours together, with breastfeeding and the sweet finger grab. And the black-and-white filter makes it look pretty professional!"
A sibling meet-and-greet
If your newborn has a sibling, make sure someone is snapping away in the moments leading up to their introduction as your eldest approaches the baby and studies their face or reaches for a tiny hand. Try to keep the pressure low and go at the older kiddo's pace without prodding them to smile or asking them to perform affection.
“I'm very close with my own younger brother, so there was something full-circle about watching Bella meet hers for the first time," says Rachel Van Dolsen (@rachelnorma). “She was very sweet from the jump and wanted to touch Graham's little head. I remember tearing up because it hit me that this was the first time the four of us were together. We knew we were stopping at two kids, so there was also this strange feeling of, 'Oh, wow — this is it.'"
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