Birth Photography

valerie4786

I know there is a thread on maternity & newborn photography, but I didn't see one on birth photography. We have a couple amazing birth photographers around my area and I'm seriously considering hiring one but am still on the fence about it. I'm not sure if I want to spend the money on something that really isn't necessarily, especially when we will already be paying quite a bit since our insurance isn't great, but I'd definitely love to have someone capturing the experience.

What are your thoughts on birth photography? Are you hiring a birth photographer?

Pascal86

Haven't thought too much about it, but wanted to throw in that one of my favorite things in the world is watching the video my dad took of the day of my birth. He didn't film the actual delivery, but we have me with mom right after I was born, the nurses cleaning me up, my sister visiting me at the hospital, stuff like that. Pictures might be cool, but having a video of myself on the first day of my life is the coolest, most surreal thing ever, I would way prefer this over pictures, even if not done by a professional. Not to say you can't have both, obviously.

MrsKubley

Check with the hospital, mine has a sign in delivery room about no video allowed

sarawifenow

I like the idea of having pictures of everything except the actual birth. I don't need any reminders of the baby coming out of my vagina. Haha!

rlworzalla

We upgraded our camera (DH's present to me when we found out we were pregnant since I love photography) and since my mom will be in with me and DH, I'm showing her how to use it so she can get the photographs, though not of the ACTUAL birth.  I would love a picture of DH's reaction when LO is born! 

That being said, if you can afford it and find someone you like, why not go with it?  Many people invest in photographers for their wedding day, so why not on an occasion as important as this?

and_peggy

I feel like I'm already going to be on display, I don't need any more people in the room. I have no doubt there will be plenty of pictures taken.

Knottie1433777995

I'm hiring a birth photographer, but I'm having a water birth at a birthing center with beautiful natural light so I feel like it would be a shame not to. I'm asking her not to get anything too graphic though! She's doing photo and clips of video through out the day as well. But I'm a photographer myself so to me the thought of having photography was a no brainer.

kami09

^ I actually LOVE seeing photos on instagram of water births...they are so beautiful. I think it would be amazing to have that photo of the moment you pull your baby onto your chest.

I'll be birthing in a hospital...so idk about it.

hellogoodbye2

I like the idea of birth photos, but I'm not sure I'd want someone there taking pictures of my privates. My H thinks it's odd that people do this and I know he wouldn't be keen of the idea if I was really wanting to do it.

JessicaB0627

One of my favorite memories of labor/giving birth was DH trying to take pictures. I only pushed 3 times before DD was born (long story) and in between pushes I was yelling at DH to find the camera as he was frantically running around the room searching through bags. I really wanted pictures of DD right after birth and the only pictures I actually got were half her, half my leg and a bright light. Even though I didn't get the pictures I wanted I love looking back at the ones he did get. He tried so hard but he was so overwhelmed

So if you actually want good pictures I would go with a photographer!

yogahh

This weirds me out. Not. For. Me.

tripledaggerWed95976

The thought of having a stranger in the room that's not a medical professional does not sound appealing to me... However, I really really want a picture of my husband and my face the moment the baby is born as they're transferring him onto my chest. I'm thinking of asking super nicely if one of the nurses will take that picture

valerie4786

@tripledaggerWed95976 That's a good idea. Husband is not fond of the idea of hiring a birth photographer because he feels it's a waste of money (I also have a hard time justifying it financially) but I really want to see our faces. I don't want all the gory details captured, I want the emotion captured.

AdorkablePixie

I think it's a pretty cold idea but like others said I definitely wouldn't want pictures of my privates or the actual birth. We can't afford a photographer most likely, but I might have my mom or mother in law take pictures. If my best friend is there I will have her do it.

Jenly17

I think it's an awesome idea in theory! Looking back, I wouldn't have wanted another body in the room, let alone someone taking photos of me in that moment. My labor was kind of insane and I only bring this up because it's worth considering (if unplanned events do occur) a different perspective.

I was sweating buckets from pushing- hair drenched, when my daughter finally emerged, DD had the cord 5x wrapped around her neck and didn't cry immediately, and then when she did finally cry, WE were SOBBING tears of joy! My face was beet red and even 30mins post birth (when we did take some family photos), I still looked really, really bad. Like, really bad.

For me, even if I hired a birth photographer, it wouldn't have been worth my money, at least with DD. Maybe for this LO, I'll have an easier experience than the last? Fingers crossed

rent6

I had a birth photographer there for my first daughters birth and I plan on having the same woman join me again. I LOVE those photos and I'm so glad that I have them. There were no potty shots taken and there was nothing I would consider overly graphic or gory. I made a photo book on shutterfly and put all the photos in there.

kami09

I was gonna say...I don't think people actually take crotch shots.

saraleigh2

I'm doing it, see if your photographer might offer you a bundle. For example maternity photos, first 48 (done in the 1st 48hrs/hospital photos), and newborn photos (a week or less after birth). It helps that my niece is a photographer though

VS2016

kami09 said:

I was gonna say...I don't think people actually take crotch shots.

Two of my sisters actually have "crotch shots" from their births...
Definitely not for me!!! Yikes!

nbgmom

My mom comes to my births and brings her nice camera. It's part of the deal "you wanna come, you have to hold the puke bucket (hubs doesn't do vomit and my morning sickness persists right up through transition), and you have to bring the camera" She loves being in charge of the important pictures. Obviously no crotch shots, it's against my hospital's policy anyway, but it's awesome to have nice pictures of the first moments of life

Sharra13

I would love a nice shot of our faces (well, HIS face, anyway).  But most moms I have known look AWFUL during/after giving birth, and I don't really want a record of that.  Sweat, blood, tears, hospital gowns...nope.  Or another person in the room--I'm already not excited about all the nurses that I know will be coming through.  I'm a little sad I won't get a nice shot of his first reaction, but I just can't see myself spending the money and dealing with another body just for that one shot.

nbgmom

Sharra13 said:

I would love a nice shot of our faces (well, HIS face, anyway).  But most moms I have known look AWFUL during/after giving birth, and I don't really want a record of that.  Sweat, blood, tears, hospital gowns...nope.  Or another person in the room--I'm already not excited about all the nurses that I know will be coming through.  I'm a little sad I won't get a nice shot of his first reaction, but I just can't see myself spending the money and dealing with another body just for that one shot.

My mom got that shot! And without even realizing it the clock is in the background. So it has his face when he laid eyes on her, the clock in the background, and is time stamped with the date. It's perfect.

Mrs Sweet Tea

I would love to have this done but it is SO expensive. I just started looking and the cheapest I have found is $800 so far. We will probably just settle for newborn photos. 

valerie4786

@Mrs Sweet Tea I agree, it's a big chunk of money that I'm not sure I can justify spending...especially with labor & delivery costs. I think I'll also just have to settle for newborn photos.

Knottie1450921507

Being a birth photographer myself I definitely need it! This is baby #4 and those are the best memories of my life. I wouldn't hesitate to spend more than wedding photography on them haha.

Charla1224

This is one of the selling points of a doula for me. She's going to take some shots throughout L&D for us when she can. 2 birds one stone.

emma+karen

My wife brought her fancy camera and got some good shots of our son right after birth...and no shots of my privates, thank the lord!  We have one of him screaming while the doctor holds him up, one of his feet getting foot-printed, and a couple of him on my chest.  She also somehow captured him doing the "Hook 'em Horns" hand gesture at about 5 minutes old--we have that one framed since he was born in TX...it was just a really lucky great shot.  I love having those pictures, but IDK about adding a professional photographer--newborn pictures cost enough as it is!

audreyrod

As a birth photographer myself, I enjoyed everyone's comments.  It definitely is not for everyone, and if you have doubt, then leave it out    However, there are many misconceptions.  I for one, am rather modest and do not take "crotch shots".  I also like to be like a fly on the wall because I know there are already so many distractions in the room.  If you are in San Diego, CA, and have a slight interest, please check out my page audreyrodriguez.net   

camillaandcarson

C-section birth here. I did look into birth photos and they were a bit too graphic/surgical for my taste.
Newborn photos for the win.  

missnc77

Opinions needed. 

I asked friends for newborn photographer recommendations and got two names. 1 is a former pediatric nurse, package includes a makeup artist and clothes selection - 10 digital files + two canvas prints = $1800. The other is an experienced newborn photographer. 50 digital prints for $400. But no pampering and clothes selection. 

It it seems like in my research the $1800 tag for 10 digital files is significantly higher than other photographers in our area and even in places like NYC. I do love her style, that she's a nurse, and the fact that 8-10 days after giving birth someone will do my makeup. But for that much more money? 

What do y'all think? If you had the money would you go with the "Cadillac" service, or is the price difference too much to justify as even a splurge. 

ayeshaohara

I'd definitely go the cheaper option. I only get 10 images for $400 with my shoot! You could get your makeup done for free at Sephora if that's one of the main reasons you're thinking about the expensive one. Seems a little overboard to me. There's also lots of advice online about the best clothes to choose for newborn shoots 

KidShrink

@missnc77I'd agree with @ayeshaohara ! That's a hefty price to pay for advice on what to wear (which the other photographer might offer for free...that's certainly the experience I've had) and makeup. I had professional shots taken last year and my photographer had a hair and makeup contact that I paid $150 for. My hairnwas quite frankly not any better than on any day (and I don't have much talent), and I hated the makeup. I have a client who recently asked if it was really memin the picture because she felt it looked nothing like me. So when we took our maternity pictures last week, I decided to do it all myself because I like when people recognize me in pictures I'm paying $500 for both the maternity and newborn shoot, with at least 20 digital files for each shoot (yes, an awesome deal, and she's great!). I wasn't willing to pay much more than that for those photos. 

babymackey

I really love the idea of birth potography and would love to have it but unfortunately there's no one under 1,000$ for this service in our area and I just can't convince DH that it's worth the money so we are going to stick to newborn and maternity photos and have my mom take some shots during L&D but of course that's not the same!! I would do it if your hubs is on board! Good luck!

Bltbear82

10 digital images doesn't seem like enough of a selection to me, personally. We've booked someone that offers 40 images plus a credit toward prints for $2500. Granted we are in NYC so prices are always considerably higher, but the cost per image is much lower than the higher rate you're considering. And our rate is for newborn plus family photos in our apartment, so travel costs are included. Last time we just did the photographer the hospital contracts and they were decent, but my DH took better photos for our announcement cards and I would like a family photo this time. 

missnc77

I talked to the girls at my shower today, and I think we're going to go with the $400 photographer. I'm all about paying for quality, but the other price just doesn't seem comparable to anyone else in our area.