Has anyone on here used a birth photographer? If so, what were your experiences like? If you didn’t, have you considered it? Thoughts on doing this?
I’m asking because a young woman I went I grew up with has her own photography business. She’s had it for awhile now and does amazing work. She does all sorts of things, from senior pictures to engagement sessions, to maternity pictures to regular old family portraits. Anyhow, she posted on Facebook earlier that she would like to expand to doing birthing/first-hours pictures. We are TTC still, but I was thinking that it could actually be a good idea. DH, when asked about it, said that he thought it would be a good idea, too. We really would prefer a very private birth, with just us and medical professionals there. Family won’t even be notified when we go to the hospital, until the day after the baby is born. However, we would like to capture the baby’s first hours/our first hours as a family together. Sure, nurses could probably be talked into taking some pictures, but that isn’t supposed to be their primary purpose. If the hospital doesn’t have any problem with a photographer being there, I think it is something at least consider… Not sure what we would end up doing.
I personally wouldn’t as it’s just not my thing - I’m very private about my body and wouldn’t want photos of myself giving birth. I can totally understand why many women would though, I’ve seen the results of many birthing shoots and they are beautiful! It’s just not me, that’s all. I would be more likely to do the ‘first hours’ or ‘just after birth’ photo shoot, but I’m also keen on taking my own ‘first hours’ photos… I’m not a photographer by any means, but I’m an okay casual shooter and I like that it’s a step more personal. Each to their own
@easterbunny- oh, I completely understand! It truly is a private moment. You are right, the images are beautiful, but it definitely involves a lot of people all up in your business. Lol. I guess what would most appeal to me would be having someone take pictures so we wouldn’t have to…I mean, if we are welcoming our baby, I probably wouldn’t want to be holding a camera. Plus some of the mom/dad/baby shots are sooo cute and beautiful It definitely depends on the individual though! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
I’m TTC too, so no experience yet, but personally I don’t think I would want an extra person around during the birth, or even immediately after. However, I’m a pretty private person so I think you just have to consider your own personality. It might also help to read up on birth if you haven’t already, just so you can try to visualize it and imagine whether having a photographer there would be unpleasant or not. If modesty in the pictures is your main concern, I think birth photographers generally talk with you about that beforehand and find out what your preferences are. If you don’t want anything private showing they will try to find the right moments and angles to honor that.
@marie23- That makes total sense. As far as childbirth goes, I’m a nursing student, so I’ve gotten some experience already. I guess it would be unpleasant to have someone else there…hmm. This is definitely losing its appeal, in my eyes. I love getting people’s feedback though! Thanks!
My hospital offers professional newborn photos for after the birth, but photos during the birth? I am personally not comfortable with that. If I really wanted to remember how much pain I was in, I would just get my husband to snap a picture. No need to spend the extra money on something I probably won’t want to look at, lol!
This would not be for me at all. I personally do not think birth is beautiful. Mine was quick and pretty straightforward, not a horror story at all, but there is still absolutely nothing about it that I would want to remember. I was glad it was over. Plus the first thing my daughter did when she was placed on me was to shit all over me. Haha, no, I am very very glad there are no pictures of the whole thing. We have some pictures and little videos of her at about an hour old (still mostly unbathed with blood in her hair but no longer covered in shit) and that’s good enough for me!
Honestly? The first time you give birth is pretty unpredictable in terms of exactly how it’s all going to go down. You might find that it’s just an added complication to try to have a photographer in the room–IF the hospital even allows it (assuming you’d have a hospital birth). I know there are some places that don’t let you film anything, and I’m pretty darn sure you’d at least have to check their policies on who is in the delivery room/postpartum room as applicable. And the other thing is, babies look pretty weird when they first come out. It’s all beautiful and amazing and everything, but yeah. They look funny and squished and not quite like themselves yet for awhile.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] a newborn session with baby when she’s like a month old or whenever they recommend.
Full disclaimer, I have a passion for photos, especially of my children!
When my first child was born labour and delivery had a professional photography company that if desired, we signed a form and they would come to the mother’s room post birth and do a full photo shoot. The results were amazing and we are truly grateful for the memories. Unfortunately after years of having this by the time our next baby arrived the hospital cancelled the program. I believe another hospital was sued for breach of privacy so they didn’t want to risk a similar situation.
Time gets away from us very quickly, especially already having other children. Something prearranged helps guarantee the moments aren’t missed. Having cesareans only my husband was allowed to be present so during wasn’t an option. If one were to do it I would want strict guidelines in place to pretty much be invisible in the background and to keep privacy intact.
Thanks for keeping me grounded, guys. Lol. I’m being serious, by the way. I really appreciate the feedback and I guess it seems like the idea really would be rather ridiculous. I guess I should’ve clarified that the type of pictures I was talking about weren’t ones of the baby coming out, the mom’s face in pain, or any of the blood and gore. I was talking about things like the first time the dad gets to hold his child (I definitely don’t think I’d have a camera for that…and DH was told years ago that he likely wouldn’t be able to have kids…so that is very special to us) or someone taking our first family picture. Anyhow, thanks for the feedback! We’re going to probably scrap that from our wishes.
I am a photographer, so I guess I am biased towards the whole thing… but I would love to have a birth photographer when I have children. I love photographs and having images of those special moments. I get that some people might feel that it is weird, but I don’t feel that. I think it would be perfect to have those moments captured forever.
With all due respect, I think it is those images that are the most beautiful… because, they are the most real. They show the story of what happened for what it really was… hard, painful, grueling, but a completely incredible miracle.
(and yes, you can label me as the airy-fairy artsy photographer… but if all you want is cutesy images then a studio shoot when your baby is a few weeks old will do… why have a photographer at the birth, if you don’t want to capture the realness of it???)
