Frequently asked Questions; Birth Photography
What is Birth Photography?
Birth photography is still a new genre of photography in Scotland, many people don’t even know that professional birth photography exists! A common remark I often hear is ‘’ Why would anyone want THAT captured?!’’. It is so much more than ‘’just’’ having that ‘’one moment’’ documented. Birth photography is about telling a story; the anticipation before, from the first breath to the first cry, the joy in your eyes when you look down at your little one for the first time, every birth is a unique and beautiful story waiting to be told.
In short; birth photography is about documenting the arrival of your baby, this can be at home, in hospital or a birthing center. Either vaginal or cesarean birth.
How does it work?
Unlike any other genre of photography, there will be more than one meeting between the client and me as the photographer. Initially we will meet during a video call, the consultation, in which we can get to know each other better and you can ask me all the questions.
After this initial consultation, you get all the time to decide if I’m the right photographer for you before you can come to a decision to book me for your birth (or not!). After the confirmation, we will schedule in a moment to meet in person. This can be at home, in a local cafe, or anywhere else that you feel comfortable. During this meeting we will go in more detail regarding your birth plan, your wishes and the technical aspects of having a photographer present at your birth.
You will also receive a complimentary Maternity photoshoot, this is another way to get to know each other while you will also get a better understanding of how I work as a photographer.
If you would like to meet on more occasions, this is always an option! My priority is for you to really get to know me, so that once the little one makes their entrance, you are comfortable having me in your space.
Once the birth starts, you update me and we keep in contact until the time is there for me to come to you. I’m there for the entirety of the birth and I will stay 1-2 hours after the birth. This allows for those beautiful ‘’golden hour’’ moments to be documented.
24 hours after the birth you will receive the first photographs so you can announce the birth of your baby. The entire gallery will take about 3-4 weeks, which will be delivered to you in person.
What does ‘’on call’’ mean?
As your Birth Photographer I will go on call for you, after all; the magic of birth is that we don’t know when the baby decides to make its entrance to the world! This means that I will be available to you 24/7, two weeks prior to the due date, and two weeks after. For a period of 4 weeks I will be ready to jump into action at any given moment. Me and my equipment will be ready to go when the time is there!
I would like my birth space to be very dark, is this okay?
Your comfort always comes first. If you would like the birth space to be dark, then this is absolutely what is going to happen. However, the darker a room, the harder it gets to take good photographs. My camera gear works really well in low light situations, this is why I have this set-up after all! I always inform my clients that any form of light source helps to get the photographs more clear. Think of candles, a night lamp, fairy lights. The darker the space, the more grainy the photos will become.
This is also something we will discuss in more detail during our meetings.
Will my birth photos be in color, black and white, or both?
It really depends! I personally love color for birth photographs, but some moments just look better in black and white. I will always deliver the photos in a combination of both.
What if the baby comes fast?
Communication is key! Getting in touch at the first signs helps me to determine when I should come to your birth space.
What happens if you miss a birth?
If the baby happens to come very fast, I would still come to your place of birth and take photos. The fast birth is part of your story and I am there to document your story as it unfolds, even if it is fast! We also set up a Newborn session to replace what might have been missed in the event of a fast birth.
Why should I consider hiring a birth photographer, when I could ask a friend/midwife/doula/partner to take photos instead?
Most of the time the partner gets the job to take some photos of the birth. Not an easy task when your partner is also supposed to be there to support you and to experience the moment themselves as well. While not being able to document those powerful moments you will experience together at birth.
Although a family member or a friend might have a good camera themselves, they are usually emotionally invested, and might perhaps not be able to continue taking photos for you when they are assisting you or when they are admiring the adorable newborn baby.
It is easy for someone in the room that has a different role, to miss some of the most tender moments.
If you have a professional photographer there, you don’t have to worry about any of this. A birth photographer is there to make beautiful documentation of it all,the supportive gestures, shared glances, and the overwhelming joy of a new edition to the family.
A birth photographer will capture your entire story with a trained artistic eye, without interfering in this precious moment.
Birth is Beautiful and Powerful
There is still a lot of taboo around birth photography, while it’s such a beautiful event that should be celebrated more in my opinion. By taking photographs, we also open up the conversation more surrounding birth. Most of us know the scary stories about birth, and we tend to forget how beautiful it also can be. It’s the start of a new life after all!
Maybe I’ve taken away some doubts surrounding birth photography, but if you would just like to know more or you have questions, feel free to get in touch for more information.
