birth photos?

ShannonMacHappy · February 2011

Mrs. Leah Maria's comment got me thinking of birth photos. DH and I would love to have someone take photos at our birth. We have a certain friend/photographer in mind, but we've yet to make the ask as we just switched to our birth center (on her recommendation). Are some of you thinking of having an actual photographer present at birth? Will you have DH or another family member take pictures? Do you not want pictures of it at all?

paulsgirl86 · February 2011

I'm sort of ambivalent about birth photos. The only thing I felt (feel) really strongly about is DH NOT being the one taking them - I want him to enjoy the moment, and at least for me, when I'm in charge of taking the pictures, I'm totally focused on getting a good picture and seeing only what the camera sees - I can take it all in much better when I'm not the photographer. I've seen some pretty cool "birth moment" photos, but I would definitely ask someone other than DH to take them...

redjan · February 2011

I've been thinking about this ever since one of the ladies on the Natural Birth board posted beautiful pictures of her homebirth. We have a pretty nice camera, and I would be fine with having a family member take the pictures and I could edit them later, but none of my family knows how to use a good camera.

Would it be tacky to ask my photographer friend to be at the birth even though she's due a few weeks after me?

Mrs.Leah.Maria · February 2011

Photography is and has always been hugely important to me to document life. Some people can not understand the purpose of birth photography and balk at the notion of photos that may present them as less than flattering. I want it all. I want LO's birth to be documented in one of my most favorite mediums, because it's about their birth, not if I look pretty.

Telling my photographer to go home the night of DS's birth is my only regret from his birth. DH took exactly 3 pictures of DS after birth and I had to remind him to get the camera out.

It's not for everyone, but it's very important to me. Good thing I keep close company with some ridiculously talented people lol!

Jay_Cee · February 2011

I don't see myself having a birth photographer. I will probably ask the Mr. to take a few pictures right after the babe comes out, but that will probably be it for in-the-moment pictures.

Mrs.Leah.Maria · February 2011

redjan:

Would it be tacky to ask my photographer friend to be at the birth even though she's due a few weeks after me?

It couldn't hurt to ask. She would probably be concerned whether she could confirm that she'd be able to make it.

FordFalcor · February 2011

I really wanted to have pictures of it all. I started researching birth photographers almost from the moment we got a BFP.

What I really wanted pictures of were: baby's first breath/cry and mine and DH's face at first seeing baby.

I'm not sure how it's going to work out now for a few reasons. First, I don't want any family/friends in the room. It will be just DH and I. I know that my mom will spazz if she finds out that another *stranger* (gasp) was in the room and she wasn't. Second, all of my favorite photogs are out of Austin and I've yet to find one willing to travel to San Antonio for the birth.

MartaVodrey · February 2011

Mrs.Leah.Maria:
Photography is and has always been hugely important to me to document life. Some people can not understand the purpose of birth photography and balk at the notion of photos that may present them as less than flattering. I want it all. I want LO's birth to be documented in one of my most favorite mediums, because it's about their birth, not if I look pretty.

Well said, ITA.

ShannonMacHappy · February 2011

redjan:
I've been thinking about this ever since one of the ladies on the Natural Birth board posted beautiful pictures of her homebirth. We have a pretty nice camera, and I would be fine with having a family member take the pictures and I could edit them later, but none of my family knows how to use a good camera.

I loved that post. Here is the link for those that want to see them.

https://picasaweb.google.com/117116300041626903210/GraceSBirthCopy?authkey=Gv1sRgCKaesciJubXadw

I thought they were so tasteful and real.

12bailey18 · February 2011

I won't be getting a birthing photographer, I'd like to keep it an intimate occasion. One of the sweetest memories I have of DS's birth was when he was born, DH was running around taking pictures of him and me, the baby being weighed, etc etc. It was all just so exciting for DH and he loved snapping away at the camera...LOL. It was so cute and sweet to me. I'd just like to keep it our little moment. We had nurses who took plenty of pictures for us too so I never felt like we were missing something.

FordFalcor · February 2011

12bailey18:
I won't be getting a birthing photographer, I'd like to keep it an intimate occasion. One of the sweetest memories I have of DS's birth was when he was born, DH was running around taking pictures of him and me, the baby being weighed, etc etc. It was all just so exciting for DH and he loved snapping away at the camera...LOL. It was so cute and sweet to me. I'd just like to keep it our little moment. We had nurses who took plenty of pictures for us too so I never felt like we were missing something.

This gives me another angle to think about. My DH is actually a pretty great photographer too and I can see him being excited and doing the same thing.

Your experience sounds really special. Smile

kgunz11 · February 2011

ihearttab:

I really wanted to have pictures of it all. I started researching birth photographers almost from the moment we got a BFP.

What I really wanted pictures of were: baby's first breath/cry and mine and DH's face at first seeing baby.

I'm not sure how it's going to work out now for a few reasons. First, I don't want any family/friends in the room. It will be just DH and I. I know that my mom will spazz if she finds out that another *stranger* (gasp) was in the room and she wasn't. Second, all of my favorite photogs are out of Austin and I've yet to find one willing to travel to San Antonio for the birth.

This is the biggest this holding me back as well. I haven't yet told my mom that I don't want anyone in the room with us. And several of my friends had their moms present, so I'm afraid she's going to be disappointed. Then add in the element of a "stranger" in the room and I think she'll really be hurt.

I haven't had the birth photographer discussion with DH yet. I'm still working my way up to the doula discussion, and I'm not sure how many ppl he is gonna feel comfortable having in the room.

MartaVodrey · February 2011

ShannonMacHappy:
redjan:
I've been thinking about this ever since one of the ladies on the Natural Birth board posted beautiful pictures of her homebirth. We have a pretty nice camera, and I would be fine with having a family member take the pictures and I could edit them later, but none of my family knows how to use a good camera.
I loved that post. Here is the link for those that want to see them.
https://picasaweb.google.com/117116300041626903210/GraceSBirthCopy?authkey=Gv1sRgCKaesciJubXadw
I thought they were so tasteful and real.

Just teared up at my desk (in a room full of guys!) Such a beautiful moment captured like a story for those of us who don't even know the happy family!

ShannonMacHappy · February 2011

kgunz11:
This is the biggest this holding me back as well. I haven't yet told my mom that I don't want anyone in the room with us. And several of my friends had their moms present, so I'm afraid she's going to be disappointed. Then add in the element of a "stranger" in the room and I think she'll really be hurt.

I haven't had the birth photographer discussion with DH yet. I'm still working my way up to the doula discussion, and I'm not sure how many ppl he is gonna feel comfortable having in the room.

How many people do you want there to support you? In our situation, I am discussing and deciding everything with DH. So far, we've been in agreement But, if there were a disagreement, I think it should default to the woman. It's YOU going through the birthing process, not DH. I hope you end up with a doula and a birth photographer (if that's what you decide you want).

Mrs.Leah.Maria · February 2011

ShannonMacHappy:
redjan:

I've been thinking about this ever since one of the ladies on the Natural Birth board posted beautiful pictures of her homebirth. We have a pretty nice camera, and I would be fine with having a family member take the pictures and I could edit them later, but none of my family knows how to use a good camera.

I loved that post. Here is the link for those that want to see them.

https://picasaweb.google.com/117116300041626903210/GraceSBirthCopy?authkey=Gv1sRgCKaesciJubXadw

I thought they were so tasteful and real.

Just beautiful!

redjan · February 2011

ShannonMacHappy:
kgunz11:
This is the biggest this holding me back as well. I haven't yet told my mom that I don't want anyone in the room with us. And several of my friends had their moms present, so I'm afraid she's going to be disappointed. Then add in the element of a "stranger" in the room and I think she'll really be hurt.
I haven't had the birth photographer discussion with DH yet. I'm still working my way up to the doula discussion, and I'm not sure how many ppl he is gonna feel comfortable having in the room.
How many people do you want there to support you? In our situation, I am discussing and deciding everything with DH. So far, we've been in agreement But, if there were a disagreement, I think it should default to the woman. It's YOU going through the birthing process, not DH. I hope you end up with a doula and a birth photographer (if that's what you decide you want).

I agree! While the father's feelings are important, you're the one who's going to be pushing the baby out, so if you're comfortable with more people, by all means, have a photog and a doula!

Plus, it's not like you're just inviting more useless people to stand around and watch --- a photographer and a doula would be keeping busy and helping out. I'm not having a doula, but I hear that they are a great comfort to the husband too.

braveangel2 · February 2011

We did with our first, and are planning to do it again with our second. I wasn't open to it at first, but when we met our maternity photographer, we clicked, and I became more open to it when I saw some of the images and how the mom commented on them. I have a disk that I look at every once in a while, and I'm so glad we did it. The key is to have someone you're comfortable with, and who can easily be out of the way.

damabo80 · February 2011

DH will be armed with a camera, but those shots are for us only. I don't see myself posting "here she is pushing" pictures on FB anytime soon....

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