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After the baby arrives, life might get just a wee bit hectic--so try to do some planning before the big day. That means building a shot list, which can be anything from a basic checklist of important people to film with the baby to something as in-depth as a storyboard for the Look Who's Talking, uh, tribute you're planning to film. Here are some suggestions for your shot list:
Live video and still photos
New parents often focus so carefully on the Big Day that they forget all the stuff leading up to it: decorating the baby's room, opening presents at the baby shower, even just getting some good shots of Mom's big belly. You might even want to play newscaster, citing some of the personal and world events that are occurring as you're getting ready for the new bundle of joy.
The "before" to go with the "after"
It can be downright scary to bring that first baby into the house, where you're suddenly cut off from the help and experience of doctors and nurses. If you're too busy helping to make the move from car to crib, have someone else film the equally joyous and panic-stricken parents. It's priceless footage for later.
Coming home from the hospital
We haven't calculated video's exact worth, but we do know that pictures nab a cool thousand words each. Your camcorder probably has a snapshot function, if not a built-in digital camera. In either case, use it. When the time comes to edit your movie, you can flex your creative muscles even further by mixing live video with still photos.
Baby's introduction to friends and family
Make sure everybody gets a turn in front of the camera while holding or cooing at the new baby. Sure, you'll leave some of these folks on the cutting-room floor, but you'll also make sure no one important gets left out.
Baby's first everything
It goes without saying that you'll want shots of the baby's first smile, rollover, bag of Cheerios, and so on. But don't forget the potentially unpleasant stuff, such as middle-of-the-night feedings and scream-producing first baths. It's no fun while it's happening, but you'll look back on it later with a smile.
A personal documentary
Every so often, put the camera on the tripod, start it rolling, then step in front of it. Talk about what the baby's doing, how your lives have changed, what's going on in the world, and so on. This video diary helps establish some context for all the footage you're shooting of the bambino, while at the same time giving you a chance to be in front of the camera instead of always behind it.
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