After meeting 2 brand new sweet babies already this year, I’m really feeling the urge to photograph another birth. You may remember November of 2010 when I captured Tiffany welcoming her new little one into the world. I remember walking away that day feeling like I had just witnessed something really extraordinary and sacred. I remember asking the nurses if there was anything special I could or should do, and they responded, “Just stay out of the way.” I was happy to oblige…I didn’t want anything I did to hinder their progress.

I wanted to take the time to address some of the big questions I get about birth photography, both from expectant mothers, and from the (non-expectant) people that I mention birth photography to.

• Why would I want pictures from my child’s birth?

Well, in my mind the real question is why wouldn’t you want pictures of your child’s birth…but I suppose some might need convincing. Childbirth, as anyone who has experienced it knows, such an emotional event, no matter how many times you’ve done it. The idea of carrying a life inside of you for 9 months, nurturing and caring for yourself so that you can in turn nurture and care for this new life, and then meeting that life for the first time is a truly remarkable feat. No matter how much technology and 3D imaging the tech world develops, nothing can compare to meeting and holding your child for the very first time. Seeing their little eyes look up at you, greeting you for the first time is difficult to describe in words. However, the details of those memories can quickly fade after long, sleepless nights, dirty diapers, and growth over the years. What better way to preserve them forever than with professional, documentary style portraits?

• Can’t my husband/partner/sister/friend/mom just take pictures of my baby’s birth?

Sure. But if you’ve invited them to be in the room when your baby comes into the world, chances are they’re a pretty important person in your life. Which means you’d probably like to have them there to support you and love on you during your laboring, instead of making them have the job of having a camera in front of their face. Furthermore, chances are, the person you ask to take those pictures knows you and loves you too, which could inhibit their ability to be discreet. This person may be more likely to stick a camera in your face and say “SMILE” in the middle of a heavy contraction. Ok, maybe not. But you get the idea. A professional is just that…they know how to stay out of the way of the hospital staff and your friends and family members.

• Do you take pictures of the baby actually coming out?

Only if that is something that you want. If you hire me to be your birth photographer, I have a list of questions to ask you to help you decide just how much of the birth you’d like to see in pictures. During our consult, I’ll get an idea of just what you’d like to see in your images. There are many ways to capture the feeling and intensity of the moment without invading your privacy with my camera. However, if during your consult you express a desire to see everything, then everything you shall have. The power is in your hands!

• What do I get when I pay for birth photography, and what’s included in my package?

The price of birth photography includes my time (which varies with every woman, and includes on call time around your due date), and an album of your images. The base album that is included is a storybook album, but you have the option to upgrade. Samples are available at your consultation.

When you contract me to photograph your birth, I am literally on call for a total of 3 weeks surrounding your due date; 2 weeks before, and 1 week after. That means that I’m very careful about what I schedule during those 3 weeks. I don’t do anything that I can’t leave in an instant, and I don’t travel more than 30 minutes outside of the city. Once your labor begins, I’m around for the duration of your labor as well as 2 hours afterwards. I will take breaks, but only when I’m sure that I won’t miss anything. The hours after the birth are devoted to your baby. It usually is enough time to cover the baby getting cleaned up, measured, weighed, eating their first meal, and having their first bath.

Once your images are edited, you’ll have an in-home viewing session. I know what it’s like to have a new baby, and I certainly won’t expect you to be going anywhere. At that time, you’ll be able to pick your images for your album, I’ll create it and order it, and you’ll have it for a lifetime.

• Won’t having one more pair of eyes on me during delivery make me uncomfortable? (Ok, no one has ever asked that, but I know they’re thinking it!)

Maybe at first. But once your labor starts progressing, you won’t even know I’m in the room. I stay as far away as possible, to ensure the safety of you and your baby.  My goal is to take a completely documentary approach to your birth. It’s your show, and I just watch, and capture all the love for you to remember for a lifetime.

If you have any other questions about birth photography that I didn’t cover here, please be sure to leave a comment or message me! I’d be thrilled to  talk with you about your birth, and answer any other questions you may have. I’ll leave you with this sweet shot I got of this brand new girl and her daddy at the hospital the other day.