L&D Photography

Car0liiine

Just wondering what everyone's plans are for documenting the big day!
I think it's too expensive for us to hire a professional and I also only really want DH and medical staff in the room. Does anybody have any tips or tricks for getting decent pics without hiring someone? I've been wondering if we should get a selfie stick? A go pro? Hopefully we can ask a nurse to take a picture or two?

tmk0325

Following cause I'm also wondering. I plan to bring my nice dslr camera and I'm hoping a nurse or someone can snap a few... 

ballofmeat

I'm bringing my dslr along and teaching DH from now until then how to use it. I may have to have him shoot in auto which kills me. I wish I could be in two places at once. 

I am hoping to take all of our LO's hospital photos though that first day. 

Another option I am considering is teaching some basics to my mom and having her in the delivery room. I find that her perspective may be a little more fine tuned than DH's. 

haboobjob

Pinterest has so many awesome links for capturing special moments in the hospital and "don't miss" shot lists. 

We had a c-section. The anesthesiologist actually took a couple photos and a video of us when we first "met" our daughter. My husband took a couple photos of her when they were cleaning her up right after she came out. I also think one of the nurses took a photo of him cutting the umbilical cord. I like the DSLR for recovery and first few days shots. Our iPhones were perfect for delivery/operating room since most people know how to use it! 

Our best friends documented everything with a GoPro. 

BritMC18

I'm only having L&D pix taken because my best friend is a photographer and will already be there as a birth coach. If she wasn't already going to be there, I personally was not going to have any taken. My husband is atrocious at taking pictures (even with instruction), so he was never a viable option. 

@tmk0325 & @Car0liiine - I recently attended a birth as a L&D photographer for a friend. It was a standard, no complications delivery but I can tell you the nurses were definitely too busy to be taking photos. I'm sure they wouldn't mind snapping a few after the fact, but during the actual delivery they all had something they were doing, so I wouldn't bank on that. If you have a close friend or family member who you are okay with being in the room, I'd go that route. Even if your hubby is a great photographer, you may find in the moment you'd rather him focus on helping you out than snapping photos. 

PJpeppercorn

We had a friend come in who had no photography experience and I set up our DSLR with the settings I wanted-- which was pretty easy because the lighting didn't change-- and then my friend took over a thousand pictures. Sure the quality of most wasn't the best-- but the emotion is all there and they are some of our most prized photography. I saw a couple people say for the husband to take pictures, but some of my favorite pictures were his reaction to everything that was happening. If you have a friend you feel comfortable with being in the room, that's the way I'd go again. 

Stephanie7693

I had thought about it for this time around, after the birth of my second was fairly easy and pain was managed. But I don't think I'll have the time for anyone to get to the hospital in time to photograph the birth I think I'll just give my mom my phone, if she can get there, and hope for the best!

Katm89

I had originally thought I wouldn't want to take photos. But I might take my camera and have my mother take photos... I want DH and I to be in the moment and we have already booked newborn photos with a photographer to be taken 7 days after the birth. But, that being said I am documenting the pregnancy and taking photos at the hospital to kind of wrap up the pregnancy photo book would be nice.

Ceventa

When I gave birth to DS I had my husband and sister in the room. I asked my sister to take on the responsibility of taking a few photographs of DS while they weighed and cleaned him, as well as the first time we held him. She wasn't able to take photos during the delivery because she was holding one of my legs and honestly I'm ok with that. I really treasure the images of him right after birth, which after watching the nurses and how completely in the moment DH was I know I wouldn't have gotten unless she was there. 

MamaKSquared

I used to think I didn't want any photos/video until after the  baby was successfully delivered and we could just ask a nurse or family member to snap those. I wanted only DH and I in the delivery room with our nurse & midwife. Since being pregnant, I've seen so many beautiful photos, I'm starting to re-think this. We don't have the money in our budget to hire a professional. We do have a friend who would be great for this, but I'm not sure what all he would end up seeing that he can't un-see. This is something DH and I need to discuss a little further. 

We do plan on setting up a GoPro in the room and at the very least, our DSLR on a tripod with a remote. DH is great at taking photos, but I want photos of him with the baby as much as I do me with the baby. 

charmedlifex3

Newborn tip from a pro photographer - if you "tickle" their bottom lip, most newborns will reflexively curl their lips... in what totally looks like a smile. 
I would also ask what your hospital does. Mine has pros come by the day after birth (they keep you for at least 48 hours, and 24 is mandated by state law) and they give you online access for ordering, and one 8x10 for free. Pretty sweet! 
My hospital does NOT allow photos during delivery though. We were going to use a doula and she offered birth photography as a service, and from our hospital it was a firm no-go. 
Also - florescent lights are green. So they can make you look sickly and greenish. You can correct this either on the computer, or you can buy filters for your DSLR which correct for it. 

hannahh18

I am a photographer and I wish I could afford a professional one to come! The ones I love are over $1000 (which I completely understand why they are) we just can't afford that right now. 
I am planning on putting our video camera on a tripod at the top of my bed and giving my husband the camera on auto settings. I didn't video my first birth and I wish I did because after she was born it was all a blur!! I want everything documented. I'll take hospital photos the next day after he is born.