FAQs: Birth Photography
Photo by Vanessa Wingerath
If I hire a birth photographer, will photos of my birth be shared publicly?
Only if you give me permission. Before your birth, we will discuss what and how you want me to document your birth. Some moms tell me they don’t want any pushing or crowning shots and others say, please capture everything! And we also discuss what (if any) kinds of photos you are comfortable with me sharing on my social media and/or website portfolio. And if you say please don’t share any, then I won’t. It’s completely up to you! And I never publish any of your birth photos until after you have had a few days with them.
How much does it cost to hire a birth photographer?
Because I am a doula and a birth photographer, I am able to offer birth photography service as an add-on to my doula service for just $350. However, if you already have a doula and you just want to add a photographer to your team, my fee would be at least double that depending on a few factors that we would discuss.
Is having a photographer at my birth going to feel intrusive and distracting?
Probably not. Many believe having a birth photographer is going to be like having a wedding photographer in your birthing room. It is very different. Birth photographers (and especially doulas who are also photographers, like me) understand birth. We know that birthing women usually prefer a dark, quiet and safe atmosphere. We know that we’re not there to direct you into any specific positions or poses. We are not there to manipulate your environment or drastically change lighting to suit the photography. We are there to capture what is. And because we have experience, we know how to do that without distracting you from your process.
My partner thinks it’s weird or gross to have birth photos. What should I tell them?
Birth is not gross. And if you or your partner are feeling cringy about it, you should go watch some birth videos together. Or better yet, take a childbirth education course. Our culture does a poor job of preparing us for what birth actually looks like. As a birth photographer, I am trying to break the taboos around birth that are responsible for the automatic disgust reaction that many of us have. So, when you allow yourself to be seen and photographed during birth, you are bravely participating in initiating a cultural shift.
I’ll leave you with these words from a former client:
“Before the birth, I thought birth photos would be too intimate or gross, but I have completely changed my opinion on that and love the photos we have. Everything happened so fast while our child was being born that it is a gift to be able to look back and spark memories with the photographs. “ - Adam L.
I like looking at other people’s birth photos but I don’t want to see photos of myself giving birth.
I have heard this a lot. And all I can do is respond with questions.
Why don’t you deserve to be the subject of some beautiful, artistic photography? Why don’t you deserve to have proof that you did a really hard thing? Why don’t you want to show your children how hard you worked to give them birth? Why don’t you want to see evidence of the power of YOUR body? I never put pressure on anyone who tells me they are not interested in birth photography but I do engage in conversations so we can all learn from each other.
Contact me if you have more questions or concerns that aren’t addressed here!.