Why Should You Hire A
Birth Photographer?
Why would anyone want to have their birth photographed?
Birth, like a wedding day, is a huge life event, one full of love, excitement, happiness, hope. Every child’s birth, happens once. And then every single day, for the rest of their lives, they will be growing and changing. There is no pause or rewind.
For myself, I have three biological children on earth, and only my last birth was photographed. My only regret is not having a birth photographer for my other two. Of course, I have my memories of each birth, but over the years, moments, first looks and feelings continue to fade. Each and every time I look at my images from my final babes story, I am brought right back to those moments; those intense emotions and I feel it. I remember the pain, the elation, the work, the excitement, the passion, the drive, the determination, the strength it took for me to bring new life into this world. I was honestly so focused in the throes of my labour, that I do not even remember my birth photographer being present or what happened in my birthing space aside from contractions!
Birth is exhilarating, predictable, unpredictable, exciting, painful, a surprise or long awaited.
Whether you are choosing a home birth or hospital birth, have midwife or an OB, a vaginal birth, cesarean, VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) or HBAC (home birth after cesarean), your birth is YOUR story.
Birth photography is a personal story, based upon your desires and dreams.
It is not always “graphic” or “not safe for social media”. It CAN be, but it is YOUR choice, your decision.
As a birthing parent, we have a very intense job to focus on!
And so everything else gets either pushed out, overlooked, or forgotten while we focus. We may even miss the emotions of the other parent or support person. Birth stories are just about the baby being pushed out, or the baby and parent, or baby and surrogate, it is about family. Whether a new family is being created, or being added to, it’s about the whole story from start to finish; the environment, the ambience, the feeling.
Let’s not forget about the other important people who may be present; the birthing partner, the intended parents, the wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, significant others, parents, siblings, friends….however and whatever your family dynamic might be. Even if you are travelling this journey alone, you want to remember these moments, relish in what you created, what your strength was and who you became.
And while the person who is there as support could certainly be asked to take some photos, let the support, BE the support.
Let them hold the birthing parent, rather than hold the camera. Let their mind be on supporting and not photographing.
There is nothing more pure than a baby. From the moment you learn about your pregnancy, your mind may already be planning for the future, even if you don’t realize it. Throughout pregnancy, every day brings new feelings, new thoughts, new physical changes and more anticipation. And I can tell you, from my own experience, that time is precious and fleeting. Soon, baby is ready to make their way earth side and you are holding them in your arms. Before you know it, you are watching them take their first steps, play with their friends, walk off to their first day of grade school, become a teenager, graduate, get married, and continue their own family. Its a beautiful time and you’ll want to remember every detail.
Sometimes birth plans change. They can be a natural progression into altering your plan, or it can be an unpredictable change to your plan. I have photographed intended home births that changed into unexpected hospital births. I have photographed drug-free birth stories that changed into a medicated birth story. I have photographed unexpected caesarean sections and planned cesarean sections. I have photographed birth stories that went exactly as planned and ones that the plan went out the window.
What I can tell you is, that however your story plays out, it will be captured and told with love, passion and respect.
