You’re looking for a newborn photographer and on your hospital’s website, you see a blurb about hospital newborn photography in Philadelphia PA. It seems easy enough – but I’m here, as a very experienced newborn photographer, to share why I think you should skip the hospital newborn photography and opt for a session once you’re home!
Table of Contents
There is a LOT happening in the hospital room, even after you’ve given birth.
It seems like all of the drama around having a newborn happens before baby actually comes, right? Not the case! As someone who has given birth twice, I can tell you that a) I didn’t shower for several days after due to complications, b) I had someone in and out of my room the entire night and c) I was incredibly swollen for the first few days because of the IV fluids. While you’ll of course have bonding time with your baby, the hospital room post-birth isn’t an environment that is calm or soothing.
And all of this hullabaloo can be going on the background while you’re taking the first portraits that you’ve had together as a family. This is the biggest reason why I advise families to skip hospital newborn photography in Philadelphia (or hire a professional fresh 48 photographer!).
The quality of the finished portraits can vary substantially.
When you opt for hospital newborn portraits, the quality of the portraits is all over the place. Sometimes you’ll get a hobbyist, or someone just starting out with photography. Other times, you’ll get someone with a bit more experience. How do I know? I’ve had the companies that contract with photographers reach out to see if I’d work with them. Of course, take this with a grain of salt because hospital newborn photography in Philadelphia can differ depending on the company, but the general consensus is that the advertised portraits may not be what you have as an end result.
Many of the perks of a traditional newborn session aren’t available.
Two words: Client Closet.
I don’t know about you, but when I gave birth, I was wearing a hospital gown for a solid 4 days and a giant pair of disposable underwear. Newborn portraits are so important because they’re your first family portraits – you should absolutely be in them and it’s frankly cruel to expect that a mama who gave birth 24 hours ago is ready for portraits at that time.
With a newborn session with Veronika Paluch Photography, you not only have access to over 250 gorgeous dresses, but also hundreds of options for children, and shirts and sweaters for dads. You have access to all of the precious little headbands and blankets for babies. You have access to professional hair and makeup services. With hospital photography in Philadelphia PA, that’s not an option.
Personalization and customization of the session isn’t an option.
Hospitals have all sorts of different visiting rules when it comes to postpartum suites. Many of my families find sibling portraits extremely important and bringing other children to the hospital may not be an option. Other families really want their pets included, and that’s not available with hospital newborn photography in Philadelphia PA. Maybe you’d like to have your nursery photographed, or you have sentimental items that you’d like included – all things that can be included in a newborn session once you leave the hospital.
Think background and lighting with hospital newborn photography in Philadelphia PA.
Hospital lighting can be ROUGH. If you’re lucky enough to have a room with windows, make sure that your photographer turns off all of the overhead lights so you don’t get mixed lighting in your portraits. However, your room might need to have the lights on depending on the amount of light you have in your room, or you may not have windows at all. Some maternity hospitals in Philadelphia also have shared rooms, so there may be another person that you need to work around. There’s also lots going on in the background – monitors, screens, cords, and all of the stuff that accumulates when you have a newborn baby.
“But I really want hospital newborn photography in Philadelphia PA – what should I do?”
Use your iPhone! I’ll be sharing a guide to photographing your baby in the hospital, so be sure that you sign up for the newsletter so you’re on the list to get all of the tips. If you’d really like professional hospital portraits (after you’ve booked a newborn session when you’re home from the hospital, of course), look for a photographer who can do a fresh 48 session for you.
Considering hospital newborn photography in Philadelphia PA? Read this first!
Ready to reserve your newborn session once you head home from the hospital? I’d love to learn about your family and how I can help! Reach out here to chat more.
If you enjoyed this post then we think you’ll love:
- How to choose “Your place or mine?” How to decide on your newborn session location from the top Philadelphia baby photographer
- 7 Best Tips: What to Wear for Your Beach Session with a Cape May Photographer
Awarded “Best Main Line Maternity Photographer” & “Best Main Line Newborn Photographer” by Main Line Parent
Veronika Paluch is an award-winning and highly sought after maternity, newborn, baby, and family photographer offering luxury, organic fine art portraits and an impeccable client experience. She specializes in documenting authentic connections and simple moments of children & families and the quiet beauty of motherhood. Stripping away all of the extras – the costumes, the props, the rigid posing – leaves room for her to capture classic, timeless images that showcase love & family connection.
Veronika serves clients in her beautiful natural light studio, as well as on location throughout the Greater Philadelphia area including the Main Line, Wayne, Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, Devon, Malvern, Paoli, Exton, West Chester, Swarthmore, Media, South Jersey, and Northern Delaware.
+ COMMENTS
add a comment