Birth Photography

gray51015 · January 2016

Has anyone used a birth photographer during delivery? What are your thoughts on it? As of now DH and I plan to be the only ones in the room during delivery, besides the doctor and nurse of course. I have had several friends tell me that they wish they had more pictures from that day/ time. They have said that you are so caught up in the moment and soaking in everything that is happening that you don't often think to have a camera ready, so I was thinking about hiring a photographer to be there with us. Thoughts? Experiences?

Huskerfanz · January 2016

We just have a few pictures that H took after DS was born. I did remind him to take pictures so I wasn't that caught up and it did go fairly fast for us. Those pics are enough for us I think. We spent the money on a newborn session after he was home and I much preferred that.

CourtJack · January 2016

I totally want a photographer this time. At my last birth, our midwifery student was kind enough to snap some photos toward the end of the delivery but they weren't super great quality (not that we expected them to be). But I still LOVE looking at them and would really like some professional ones this time

augbride87 · January 2016

I really want a photographer this time too!! DH and my mom think they are weird though. DH says he can take pics, but I know he will be too preoccupied--rightfully so! Right now my mom says she wants to try and make it for the birth, if she does then I wont have one since I can only have 2 people in the room. I am going to seriously try and talk DH into it if she can't make it!

gray51015 · January 2016

Thanks @huskerfanz & @courtjack! I really like some of the ones I have seen online, but I'm a little on the fence about if I want them for myself. DH is not a picture taker. He has zero interest in ever being the one to snap a picture, so I think I wouldn't get many if I relied solely on him.

fishwife799 · January 2016

I haven't done it but only because of financial reasons. I would have loved to have one previously. This one we are in the sane boat though. But I dabble in photography so I will be bringing my camera and will be doing some hospital pics of the new baby.

Huskerfanz · January 2016

gray51015 said:

Thanks @huskerfanz & @courtjack! I really like some of the ones I have seen online, but I'm a little on the fence about if I want them for myself. DH is not a picture taker. He has zero interest in ever being the one to snap a picture, so I think I wouldn't get many if I relied solely on him.

If it helps, my H isn't a picture taker either. I made sure before that he knew how to use the camera, it was charged, and there was room on the memory card. Pictures were the one thing he was in charge of and honestly, I think he liked having something to do. Especially after because we were both like: ok, he's here, now what do we do?

But, if you have the money then go for it.

CopperLane · January 2016

Huskerfanz said:
We just have a few pictures that H took after DS was born. I did remind him to take pictures so I wasn't that caught up and it did go fairly fast for us. Those pics are enough for us I think. We spent the money on a newborn session after he was home and I much preferred that.

This will be our plan. I'd rather have a maternity and newborn session and not have to pay a photographer a third time to get photos of me in labor. But I also don't want a million pictures of me in labor or right after, I'm happy with what DH and family will take (and none will end up on social media if I can help it).

But with that said, I love looking at photography during labor and think those women are brave for sharing such a moment in their life.

MDKC14 · January 2016

I was supposed to have one for DS but the week before I gave birth the photographer had an emergency you and wasn't in town. H managed to get a short 10 second video of them handing me DS and every time I watch it I tear up. I wish I would have had pictures and more video from it because I love the feeling I get watching that little clip. We have maybe 3 pictures and that 10 second clip and that's it.
We'll plan to have one for this one. I think I'll have MIL sit with DS so I can have the photographer in the room.

BlackAndGold09 · January 2016

I didn't have anyone with DD, but with this one my bff is a well established children/birth photographer and she will be in the room with us as well. I have barely any pictures from DD Birth so I am excited for this. Although I absolutely HATE having my picture taken. We will also will have newborn pics done at her studio within the week of coming home as well.

pkwest04 · January 2016

My baby sister is an RN and "my person," DH has some serious concerns about something awful happening to me during birth and has already dubbed her "his person" for the event...she asked for everyone to get her a joint Christmas gift of a really awesome camera. She is practicing now to be able to help with maternity, birth and newborn pics. I'm sure we will do professional pics of newborn as well. I hate having pictures taken as does DH so typically professional photography is a waste on us and he doesn't want a stranger on a room with my exposed lady bits.
Has anyone else had good or bad experiences with pics being taken during birth?

VikingGirl12 · January 2016

We didn't have a photographer but the anesthesiologist got some pretty interesting shots of the baby being pulled out.. Which included my insides in the background.

hellomommas · January 2016

I am a professional photographer so---to me, it is a sin to let a life-changing moment go by without at least 1000 pictures of it.

haha. It's a border-line disorder I have. My camera is like an extra part of my body.

ANYWAY, I had birth photos done with both of my babies and I can't say enough about how much I LOVE those photos of us meeting our sons for the first time...And having our first photo as a family RIGHT then and there. Neither time did I want NOR receive photos of my down there region. yuck.

I have done several births as the photographer and it is THE MOST amazing thing. I LOVE watching and photographing women birth. For those of you concerned that the photographer will see your parts---don't worry---the photographer doesn't WANT to see your parts any more than you don't want them to! They are just happy to photograph the details before the baby comes out and then of course, the baby and you and your spouse when the baby is delivered. Plus...no offense, but all down-there's look quite similar while birthing. It's like you are looking at someone's hand after you have photographed several births.

kganske03 · January 2016

My sister in law offered her services as she does these monthly. Call me old fashioned but I like the privacy of my husband and I with the baby. They do look nice... but I can have her do some fabulous ones after.

RMLandy · January 2016

I find it weird. I do NOT want or need to see photos of that situation. I'm happy with photos of everyone happy and goo-free after the birth and a nice shower!

LDSJM123 · January 2016

I love the idea of a birth photographer and think the pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I'm very thankful that our doula has a really nice camera and will capture some of the moments for us. A doula, birth photographer, and newborn photographer weren't all in the budget. But I am all about it, so go for it!

CourtJack · January 2016

Me again. I guess another reason why I am so keen to have a birth photographer this time is because of the emotion that those photos evoke (even the crappy ones I have from last time). I adore the newborn photo session photos also, but it's a different reaction - not as raw, I guess.

And I'm not a fan of having my photo taken, and trust me, I looked insane in the birth photos - naked, sweaty, flabby - but none of that mattered at all to me. I can still look at those photos and that doesn't bother me.

And with regards to having people in the room, I had four additional people in the room with me when my DD was born (midwife, back up midwife, midwifery student and my doula), and honestly I don't remember them at all. I mean, I know they were there, but all I remember is DD, my DH and the amazing moment that she was brought into the world I want that captured on film.

So anyways - just some more of my perspective.

marriedtoadutchman · January 2016

I hired a birth photographer for my first and I still get emotional looking back on those pictures. We didn't have one with our last two (made the decision to have newborn/family pictures instead). This time I'm thinking of hiring a photographer to come right after the birth to get those first few moments with baby and meeting the siblings.

BlueJuice · January 2016

I might be weird, but I would totally love a set of good photos of my labor and delivery. I'm not saying I would frame them and put them on the wall or anything, but it's such an intense, powerful experience, and I had so many endorphins crashing through my system that looking back on it, I only remember fragments clearly, it's like the rest of it is in this haze. Having photos of the process would help make it more tangible for me, which would be nice.

little_bren · January 2016

It's not for me, personally.

scotten · January 2016

I had an unplanned c-section. My anesthesiologist took a ton of great photos of DD being born for us during the surgery, and ended up really being a bright spot in our birth experience.

I also had a photographer friend who came and did a small newborn session while we were still in the hospital. They aren't of DD's actual birth, but they're still incredibly special to me since it shows our first day or so as parents. I'm wearing a hospital gown, and we look exhausted, but they're really gorgeous photos.

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