[Baby Hopes]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">Not sure where this should go... but I'm sticking it here. Feel free, Mods, to move this thread if there is a more appropriate forum.</td>
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DD1's birth was a typical hospital occurance. We didn't have a functioning camera during my labor and delivery and relied on the assistance of a friend with a nice point and shoot for some pictures of the birth process. Not anything professional grade, just documentation of her birth and the ubiquidous baby weighing poses and new family shots.<br><br>
DD2's birth was my home waterbirth. An amazing experience all around. By the time DD2's birth came around I'd seen the Jude Roman Fairbanks slideshow a million times and wanted something similar for myself. Too cheap to hire a photographer (not to mention the craziness that accompanied getting ready for DD2's birth) I asked my mom to be in charge of pictures. We discussed composition, exposure, and all that. I even set the camera up on automatic instructed her not to "touch anything." Unfortunately at some point during the birth the camera got switched to "mountain" setting and a good number of the photo's were swirling lights and blurred images. Not to mention poorly composed. (Think heads chopped off and offcenter.)<br><br>
For the next baby I want to do it right. Hire a professional photographer and actually get images that are actually composed and exposed correctly.<br><br>
Has anybody done this?<br><br>
What has your experience been?<br><br>
What ended up being the price range for such service. (Need to start saving now?)

 

[frenchie]

Having quite a few friends who are prof. photographers, I can't say any of them have been hired for such a job. I'd imagine you'll be paying about the same price or more that you would for a wedding. It will require a lot of time for them to be there. If you hire a digital photographer, the cost will be lower than if you had a photographer who uses 35mm film. With digital, there is no expense of developing...which is a huge expense. That is something to consider.<br>
You *might* want to call the local University or Art Center to see if there is a student willing to do the job for a set price (you set a fair price...say 1/2 of what the fairest quote you get from a professional is) Many photo students have portfolios that you can view, and do AMAZING work. I have worked with a few students myself on my portfolio (I'm a hairdresser/makeup artist) and I've never been disappointed.

 

[baby4me]

My Dh and I have hired a birth photographer for our baby's upcoming birth. I have seen a few of the births she has done and they are incredible. IMHO, a birth is like a wedding. You only get one chance to get it right, so by hiring an experienced professional DH and I can concentrate on birthing our baby and the experience.

 

[katt]

I'm slowly working on getting into this type of photography.<br>
I'd ask around, especially Doulas and Midwives, and Maternity/Pregnancy Photographers. I think those would be your best bet.<br><br>
I shot my sister's birth and it turned out fabulous.

 

[Baby Hopes]

I remember seeing a flyer at my midwife's office regarding birth photography. I guess I need to ask around and see what the going rate is in our area. I'm not sure we could afford to pay the going rate for weddings. (Starting price $2,000 in our area) but maybe we could locate a doula or a student photographer who has experience photographing low-light subjects.

 

[wildthing]

My preceptor and I do birth photogoraphy. It can be quite pricey to hire someone for a birth, because you really don't know when it will happen or how long it will take. I really think it is important to find someone who has an understanding of birth and will be able to focus on the photos, and to be able to anticipate when things are going to happen. One of the first births I pphtotgraphed was a birth in the caul, and I was able to capture the birth very well, you could even see the baby's hair swirling in the amniotic fluid.<br><br>
My preceptor is going to photograph my birth in April. At my last birth, she was across the room while dh and I handled the birth alone. I am happy to have her photographing this time.

 

[habibekindheart]

It'd be difficult. I don't know anyone who does birth photography, but my midwife with #7 got some great shots of Boo being born that we were really happy with <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">