Let's talk Birth Photographers

[homemademom]

I've never had one and I've always been sort of disappointed. In fact, I don't have any nice after-labor photos of any of my deliveries, just really bad ones at bad angles with me looking angsty while delivering the placenta

Since this is my last baby, I'd like some better (more professional) photos to show for it. So for those who've hired one:

1. Did you know your photographer personally? Give me the pros and cons! I have two photog friends (not close friends), and I think they'd be willing to do birth photos, but I don't know if that would make me feel uncomfy. Would it be weird seeing them again when I'm not naked and moaning? They're not (to my knowledge) into natural birthing.

2. During the birth, did you feel "on camera" at any time? I worry about being too much in my head and thinking about the person with the camera. That would drive me insane.

Hmmm... that's all I can think of for now. Thanks!

[homemademom]

nobody??

[RedOakMomma]

I'm an informal photographer and have been in the delivery room as as support person/photographer for a friend. The only advice I have is to be pretty specific about what you want...my friend and I didn't go into specifics, and I found the birthing room FAR too intimate to get comfortable as a photographer. As a result, I was too cautious and the photos weren't great.

For example, I didn't want to use a flash or lighting. The lights in the birth room were dim, and having a big professional (or even just camera) flash felt so intrusive. I wish I'd have asked my friend if she thought she'd mind me clicking and flashing away--instead, in the midst of her labor and pushing--I felt like I shouldn't ask. Most of the photos were blurry...I just couldn't operate a flash in those moments! or in the eyes of a newborn baby!

If you ask your friends, especially if they haven't photographed a birth beforehand, show them some series of birth photos you enjoyed and would like to replicate. Ask them what would be involved in that kind of photography (lighting, position of the photographer, noise, etc.) and see if you're comfortable with that. Develop a code word in case, during labor, you decide you DON'T want more photographs.

[homemademom]

Thanks, RedOakMomma. I appreciate your thoughts and advice!

[Jenne]

I haven't btdt on the birthing end (yet!) but I recently attended my BFF's birth and we both thought I'd be able to take pictures. I was too busy doing labor assistance-getting water, giving counterpressure, and such. The few moments I had to pick up the camera, I really wasn't sure if *she* would want a picture of whatever was going on. So, like ROM said, I was shy to take pictures. Afterward I snapped a few but I feel like I missed out on what would have been very meanful pictures.

I am hiring someone to photograph my birth (mostly as a result of my experience) as I definitely want photos of what went on. I even want the more "graphic" pictures. So, for me, having a stranger there will make it easy for me to be myself. This isn't someone I'm going to have to see in the future. I don't have to worry about hurting a friend's feelings by saying, "No. All done with pictures. Leave now." or whatever I need to. I'm hoping the photographer will just melt into the background and disappear. Also, I don't think the photographer will want to talk to me which is good. I think a friend would want to "help."

I'll be eagerly awaiting btdt mama's responses! Thanks for starting this helpful thread!

Jenne

[BlackSheepPDX]

At our first birth, one of our midwives had our camera and took some shots along the way (at our request) but there are very few. However, the ones I have, I treasure. I wasn't "aware" of the photos being taken, and didn't feel "on camera." I barely noticed anyone in the room the whole time, honestly....I just was paying attention to my DH and popping up from time to time to get input from the midwives on whether it was "working." LOL.

This time we are having a pro photographer come on an "if possible" basis...she's not charging us a session fee, but also not able to guarantee she'll make it (she has a 3 yo, too, and a husband who is on call as a doc certain nights). I don't know her well, though I do KNOW her as a friend of a friend who runs in the same social circles. She did a family shoot for us, and we have a family +1 shoot planned for a month or so after baby comes. She's very excited to do a homebirth, and her usual photo style is very photojournalistic, so I think she'll be a good fit for just doing her thing. I'm really not a shy person, so being naked around someone in what I deem an "appropriate context" doesn't phase me.

I will ask her to do her best to avoid flash, as I know that will bug me, and I accept the quality of the photos in the heat of the action may suffer as a result, but I have to compromise to get photos but not disturb my birth juju. One solution after the fact can be to convert the photos to B&W, which eliminates the weird orange tone you tend to get in low light.

[CookAMH]

I wish this photographer was in Seattle:

http://www.dfwbirthphotographer.com/home/

I LOVE LOVE her work.

[lovebug]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

I wish this photographer was in Seattle:

http://www.dfwbirthphotographer.com/home/

I LOVE LOVE her work.

yep! awesome.

[HeatherB]

I'm debating this, as well. My DH is a semi-pro photographer, so for my last birth, he actually set up a bounce-flash in the room (so it bounced off the ceiling and pretty well lit the whole room without being too harsh), which was triggered wirelessly from the camera. This meant he could take pics at any point without worrying about the lighting. Of course, that means we have no pictures of anything that he's involved in, including actual birth. And, he's my husband, which means ALL of those pictures are still (almost 3 years later) on his computer and he's done *nothing* with them - not even shared them with me. I found them once when looking through is albums for something.

My MW has been at a couple of births with a local photographer and I *love* her pics - especially the first set I saw which likely had better lighting. I'm certain this photographer is not using any flash, just appropriate settings and lenses to capture what she needs. She's got mostly B&W pics on her blog from these births and I love them! I would so love to hire her, but...

First, she's a long way away (might come, anyway, for a fee). Second, it's $500 without a travel fee. Third, I'm pretty sure I won't look as stunning as the women (whom I don't know) in the pics I've seen. So while I want the moments captured, I'm also really not thrilled with the idea that ME is not photogenic, even being pg, and there are many aspects of ME I don't really want to see. Sigh.

Oh, and I'm usually very aware and would probably notice the clicks. But, then I think that a talented photographer who knows how to edit and make people look good could come up with pics I'd be happy with. But it's $500 and that doesn't include prints or digital copies. Bah.

Looking forward to other's input, too!

[HeatherB]

I totally forgot I posted on this thread... But did find out that the photographer I'm interested in IS available for my birth. Need to meet with her and work out details and such, but I'm excited. DH is on board with it, and my MW was very encouraging about it, so I think it's a good thing to do.

[homemademom]

Originally Posted by HeatherB

I totally forgot I posted on this thread... But did find out that the photographer I'm interested in IS available for my birth. Need to meet with her and work out details and such, but I'm excited. DH is on board with it, and my MW was very encouraging about it, so I think it's a good thing to do.

Thanks for bumping, HeatherB! I didn't see your last post and I was happy to read it. I'm glad you found a photographer! Is she as expensive as the first you mentioned?

[HeatherB]

It's actually the same one. Being that DH is a photographer, I know the price is totally reasonable. She actually has packages that include a newborn session (in your home, up to 4 hours!) for only $100 more! These packages don't include ALL of the digital images, but you do get some with permission to print up to 4x6. The packages with full digital rights are over $1000.

Still, I think it'll be a great way to go. I'm finding ways to deal with my own issues surrounding having pictures, and know it'll be worth it to capture those priceless moments with the family. I don't want to miss any of their reactions as they meet their new baby!

And my DH will take his own pictures whenever he can or wants to, but by having her there, we're guaranteed pics of ALL of us, too!

[homemademom]

I'm back again Just wondering, how much time does the birth photographer stay at your house. I mean, can they come and go and do some early labor photos (where mama is smiling) and later come back for my laborland and delivery ones? Just curious as to how that worked out. It seems excessive for a photographer to be there for hours and hours, but of course, you never know how quickly things will progress.

[HeatherB]

This one's materials say to call when early labor starts, then she comes when you call at around 5cm. I've seen some of her pics both with smiling mamas and with active-labor mamas. She stays until baby is born and then for an hour or two after. I would guess you could always discuss those sorts of details, though, to make sure you get just what you're hoping for!

My biggest concern is just not knowing how fast things will go this time (typically I'm a sloooow laborer, but last time it ended VERY fast and we expect it won't be *quite* as long this time as previously). Figuring out when to call will be the tricky part! But, worth it, I think!

[HeatherB]

We met with the photographer earlier this week and I thought of your question. She said she can do exactly what you're asking - come early and leave for a while, then come back when labor is more active. She seemed very accommodating! I hope you can find someone as good!