Birth Photography.... is it worth it?! Opinions please!!

Babysaunders

Hello! I NEED your opinions! I am looking into birth photography and want to know if it's worth the $$. Here are my options...

clo1982

We are doing newborn pics which are in 3-5 days after being discharged from the hospital. They are pricey but I feel like I missed a great opportunity by not doing them with dd. As far as actual birth, my hospital doesn't permit it. The nurse took our camera and snapped a bunch of dd right after they pulled her out. I got one or two with me before I started puking so in my case I'm very glad I didn't pay to have someone in! Also check with your hospital. Some have a photographer doing rounds in l&d so you can get new professional shots right there without hiring someone to come in.

Babysaunders

I'm a nurse at my hospital so I pretty much can do whatever I want (thank goodness). She could even be in the OR if I end up with a c-section. I'm just wondering if it's worth $500 just to get a few pictures of the birth, or if I can just have the day after pictures and be happy with that. i'm doing newborn pictures either way. 

katykatykaty

My dad took a few snapshots of the three of us the day after Caroline was born, and that was plenty of "birth" pictures for me.  I love those pictures, and they aren't any less special because they happened the day after her actual birth.  They're still hospital pictures, and I still think of her being born when I see them.  

I don't really consider myself a "cheap" person (and I'm sure my husband would agree!), but if you have a family member or friend who could take some pictures of you sometime during your hospital stay, I would do that and avoid paying $500!

mfarmer0811

I'm having my sister in labor and delivery specifically to take pictures! I've made a board on Pintrest for her to look at to get an idea of what kind of pictures I want. 

jennbaylor12

Our hospital offers free birth photography to those who deliver there, so we are very fortunate. Our wedding photographer is doing maternity pics and newborn pics within 7 days of birth

stephcrosby09

I love the look of birth journey pictures, but I don't think it will fit in our budget. Here for maternity, birth, and newborn is $1500. 

Definitely doing newborn pics within 10 days of birth. I think it just depends on what you really want. 

erind0213

As much as I didn't want mil with us at dd's birth she had my sis in laws digital slr camera and got a lot of respectful shots.....I wouldn't pay anyone to do it.

Excitedmum35

I'm just going to rely on DH to take pics and also our student midwife after the birth. DH took some last time.
I have already booked in for a newborn photo session that is going to cost minimum $600-$800 but I think it's worth it as her work looks great and also she will take pics of DS and DS and LO and also DH and I- which we never had last time but it might be nice to have the option!

nlane0723

I'm having a birth photographer and I think it's worth every penny. It took us awhile to get pregnant and I want every second of our IVF miracle's arrival to be documented in case we don't get a second chance. I know if we don't, I'll regret it.

mamamia866

jennbaylor12 said:

Our hospital offers free birth photography to those who deliver there, so we are very fortunate. Our wedding photographer is doing maternity pics and newborn pics within 7 days of birth

Our hospital is the same way. I'm still on the fence about newborn pics after we leave the hospital.

aLsMay24

mfarmer0811 said:

I'm having my sister in labor and delivery specifically to take pictures! I've made a board on Pintrest for her to look at to get an idea of what kind of pictures I want. 

This is what we did with DS and will do again with this one. The pictures aren't all artsy fartsy but you can see the love, excitement and joy in every single one of them. I love that I have those photos but I don't have $500 to spend on someone being there.

BrideNamedMeg

If it's within your budget, go with the birth photographer!  I love, love, love my photos from DS's birth.  It was my sister who took them, but she's basically a pro and even though it was her first time photographing a birth she did an amazing job.