Photo & Video

Technical Requirements:
Still photos must be:
at least 800 x 600 pixels wide and 150 dpi.  This will ensure that your photos look good on the small and big screen.
in the order you would like them to appear.
labeled using this naming protocol BabyName 01, BabyName_02 etc

Before the big day
Get to know your camera.
Take video & photos of the belly - the belly is a beautiful thing!
Take 1 minute to speak about your feelings on the subject of baby. We probably won't use this but it's nice to have.
Make sure your camera has a tape and a fresh battery in the hospital bag.

The Big Day
Remember to bring your camera. Appoint someone other than yourself to remember it!

Suggested Shot List
Your new baby - Head to toe! Close ups & full length.
Don't forget those fingers and toes. Holding parents fingers, Dad's wedding ring etc.
Baby with siblings
Baby with Mom, Dad and both
Baby with grandparents
Nursery shots - baby in nursery through window, name on bassinet
Hospital or birth center shots, room number, flowers, card from someone special
First nursing or first bottle

Take better shots
Hold the shot- for at least 10 seconds, but we don't need a minute.

Get close up - don't use the zoom when you could just take a few steps forward. Zoom mode will accentuate camera shake. Just get up close and personal with your new baby. You can do that - she's yours!

Slow down - if you do use the zoom do it s l o w l y. Same thing goes for panning (side to side movement). Unless you want your birth announcement to have an NYPD Blue feel.

Keep quiet - if you want us to hear the baby or anyone else on the other side of the camera you must be quiet.

Sneak up - don't let your subject see you coming or know you're filming (unless you think she's going to get mad then you should ask.)

Get down - get down on the level of your child. If baby is in Nana's arms in a chair, crouch down and take the shot head on as well as from above.

Crying's ok - not everything in life is happy. A crying baby is ok - at this point you have never heard a sweeter sound.

Got your back - check out what's going on in the background of your shot. Please move the bedpan.

Slightly off - put your subject slightly off center. It is a more visually interesting shot than dead center.

Turn offs - turn off the date stamp, record light, and remember to turn the camera off when you put it on the table!