Should You Hire a Birth Photographer?

As you await your estimated due date, you may have spent time gazing at birth photos online. The beautiful photographs usually depict an emotional moment, and the very beginning of a new family’s life. That moment when you hold your baby for the first time can feel almost like an out of body experience, and a photograph can be a wonderful way to remind you of how you felt gazing into your newborn’s eyes for the first time.

The decision to hire a birth photographer is a personal one, and one that you must make as a couple. While some women may love the idea of freezing that moment for all eternity, others will hate the idea of their exhausted state being captured on film. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to hire a birth photographer:

1. Too many cooks – a birth photographer will be another person in the room. Delivery rooms can soon feel overcrowded, and you may find yourself wishing things were a little less chaotic on the day. If it’s just going to be you and your birth partner, however, you may feel a little extra company would be welcomed.

2. A natural in front of the camera – do you love having your photograph taken, or hide awkwardly at the back of family photos? If you’re self conscious and hate having your photograph taken, birth photography might leave you feeling nervous on the day. You’ll have enough to focus on during labour without also worrying about which bits of your body are going to end up photographed.

3. A picture is worth a thousand words – you will never forget the moment you meet your baby for the first time, but a photograph will help you to relive it. It is one of the most overwhelming moments of your life, and a photograph will capture the emotions behind that first cuddle, and help remind you of what an amazing thing you did.

4. Hospital policy – if you’re giving birth in a hospital, you might need to check whether they have policies in place. Some may limit the number of people allowed in the delivery room, meaning your birth photographer is pushed out at the vital moment. Most hospitals will allow birth photographers in, but it’s worth checking in advance so you don’t end up disappointed.

5. The finances – birth photographers aren’t cheap. Your photographer will be on call for weeks, waiting to receive the call that they are needed at the hospital, and will expect to be compensated for this commitment. Birth photography can be expensive, so you’ll need to budget for this in advance.

6. You’ll still have your birth partner – if you don’t have a professional on hand, you’ll be relying on your birth partner to take the photograph. Not only does this mean he’ll be out of action as your birth partner, but he may feel he missed that vital moment of the birth because he was distracted by the camera. Your first cuddle with your newborn, is also your partner’s first time to see his new family.

7. You’ll end up with better photos – unless your partner is a professional photographer himself, you will get better photos from a professional. A professional photographer will have more of an idea about lighting, angles and editing, so you are likely to end up with better photographs.

Are you hiring a birth photographer to capture your birth?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

DIY Birth Photography Tips

The birth of a child is a very special and life-changing experience, and the moment you first meet your baby is one you will want to remember forever. If professional birth photography is out of your budget, but you would like the birth to be captured, you could ask your birth partner to take on the role of photographer. Or, if you’d rather keep your birth partner available to you, you could ask a close friend or family member to capture the vital moments on film. Whoever you choose, here are some tips to help them get the most out of DIY birth photography:

1. Use the best camera you can get your hands on – if you have or can borrow a top of the range camera, that’s great. If not, get hold of the best camera phone or digital camera you can.

2. Practice makes perfect – whatever camera you use, make sure you are well-acquainted with it before the birth. Make sure you understand what each and every button does, and how to find the right setting for your location. You don’t want to miss taking the all-important photograph because you were pressing the wrong button.

3. Have it set up before you need it – if you are using a fancy camera, make sure it is set up in advance. It may take you a while, fiddling with the ISO and other settings, before you can get pictures you’re happy with. Do this in advance, so that when the moment comes, you’re ready. If there is a lot of natural light in the birthing room, you may need to adjust your camera setting as the day progresses. The right setting at noon, will be very different to the setting needed at midnight.

4. Ask for the ground rules – your job is to capture the birth, not to risk upsetting the labouring woman by zooming in on the crowning shot. Ask the couple what they would like you to capture. Do they want photographs of the labour itself, the moment of childbirth, or just the first cuddles with their baby? Does she want it to be a strictly above-the-bump affair, or is she happy for you to capture the entire scene?

5. Adapt, and fast – no matter what ground rules you had, people are free to change their mind. If the capture-everything woman is now screaming at you to go away, then you should. But hang around, she might change her mind when the baby arrives, and she wants some special photographs.

6. Don’t get in the way – there will be healthcare providers with jobs to do, so make sure you’re not in the way. Most hospitals will be happy for you to be there, until you start getting under their feet, and then they’ll quickly tell you to leave. Stay out of the way, and try to shoot as a fly on the wall.

7. Photograph the details – it’s not just the photos of the first family cuddle, it’s also the little memories that are great to look back on. The tiny hospital band wrapped around the ankle of a newborn, the mother-to-be receiving a much-needed back massage from her birth partner, and a few establishing shots of the room itself, with the door number visible.

8. Save them immediately – take your laptop with you, so you can upload the photos straight away. It’s not worth risking a lost laptop case or corrupt memory card, just do it while you’re at the hospital to be safe. This has the added benefit of giving you a laptop to keep yourself occupied if you have a long wait at the hospital.

Who will be taking the first photos of you with your newborn baby?

You can also use our Baby+ App for iPhone / iPad or Android to capture your baby’s milestones and unforgettable moments, or use the App to create a time-lapse video by taking a picture of your baby every day. The App will then automatically produce a beautiful video. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Five Things to Consider When Choosing a Birth Photographer

Choosing to invite a birth photographer to attend your birth, and capture the event as it unfolds, is a very personal decision. The birth of your child is going to be one of the pivotal moments of your life, whether that is because of the strength and empowerment you feel giving birth, or because of the overwhelming you love you feel once that baby is placed in your arms.

If you have decided to hire a birth photographer to take professional photographs at the birth, you may be wondering how to find the right birth photographer. Here are some important things to consider:

1. Do you like their style?
Each photographer has a unique style, and a feel to the photographs that make them stand out. When you are looking for birth photographers, have a look through their portfolios. Choose a birth photographer whose style most appeals to you. There’s no point forking out for photographs you won’t love. Look on their websites, Facebook business pages, and ask to see photographs at your appointment, so you can get a feel for what’s on offer.

2. Do they put you at ease?
There is no modesty in birth. You will be, at least, semi naked, surrounded by strangers, at your most vulnerable. If you’re going to throw a photographer into the mix, make sure this won’t leave you feeling uneasy. Find a photographer who you click with, one who you think will blend into the background during the birth, and who you will feel comfortable around. Meet up with a few different photographers before making a final decision, so you can compare bedside manners.

3. Do they have the relevant experience?
You want a photographer who will be in their comfort zone during the birth. If you are planning to give birth at hospital, find a photographer who has experience of hospital births, ideally at the same hospital. Hospitals have rules and procedures that photographers must abide by, so choose a photographer who has experience of this.

4. Will they be available?
Sadly, your baby is unlikely to let you know when his birthday will be in advance. You may be calling your birth photographer at 10am on a Wednesday, or at 3am on a Sunday morning. Find out how your photographer’s availability works. Will you be able to get hold of them at the crucial time, and will they be able to guarantee being there for the birth (time permitting, of course). If, for example, there are certain times they may be unavailable, will those hours be covered by another photographer, and if so, will you get to meet them in advance?

5. How much will it cost?
Birth photography isn’t cheap, but prices can vary drastically. Find out about the costs, and whether there are any ways to reduce the price. Less experienced photographers may offer a discount for experience. Find out what is included in the price – will you be given the original photo files, or will you need to order prints through the photographer? If you need to order prints through your photographer, ask for the costs in advance so you can allow for this in your budget.

Now you’ve selected your birth photographer, you need to think about setting some ground rules. Decide what you want to be photographer, and what things are off limits (if any).

Are you hiring a birth photographer to capture your baby’s birth?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.