The Truth About Birth Photography

Posted by admin on Jun 19, 2012 in Announcements, Birth News, Uncategorized | 45 comments

Birth photography has become a hot topic here lately. It started with an article in the New York Times. I was interviewed for the article. Life in Motion Photography was linked and birthphotographers.com was mentioned. When it appeared on the front page of the New York Times earlier this week, it spurred a rash of other articles popping up including Yahoo, MSN, The Stir, The Project, The Bump, Baby Center and many others. Major networks including Good Morning America and The Today Show have also shown an interest in the concept of birth photography. I believe exposing the masses to the idea of birth photography is a wonderful thing. But I also think there are many negative things being written and shared that are, well, simply untrue and not accurate. I founded the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers in 2010. I’ve been active in the birth community for quite a few years. I’ve been photographing births for going on 5+ years now and I mentor birth photographers from around the world. On the flip side, I also had the birth of my 3rd child photographed and I’ve hired an amazing birth photographer to photograph the birth of my next child, due in October. All that to say, I’d like to think I understand a thing or two about this business and birth. And that is what I’m going to write about today. I hope you will hear me out.

First, birth photography is beautiful. It is not gross, or yucky, or distasteful as I’ve read online in the last few days. One of the main things lacking in the New York Times article was the true beauty of birth photography. Where are the images? Where is the emotion? You have to see it, to get it. So let’s do that. Let’s look at the real beauty of birth photography and all that it has to offer. I encourage you to click on a few of the links below.

The Birth of Sophie by Jeri Hoag

The Birth of Harleigh Rae by Keri Duckett

The Birth of Miles by Michele Anderson

The Birth of Maddie Rose by Lyndsay Stradtner

The Birth of Carter by Wendi Schoffstall

The Birth of Lola by Natalie Carstens

The Birth of Ephraim by One Tree Photography

These are just a few examples I have on hand. There are so many amazing birth photographers out there. I encourage you to browse through our directory and the websites of many of our talented members. I have found through the years that most of those who oppose birth photography have an misconception about what it really is. Most have never actually seen it, they just have an idea about what it is. I’ve found that people have to *see* it to really *get* it. It’s not about the crowning shot, which is such a common misconception. Sure, some parents request that particular photo and it can be done respectfully and with integrity. If that photograph is taken, it accounts for around 2% of the birth photography images presented to client. Most of the time parents choose to keep those images private, but the choice is theirs. There is much more to birth photography than the actual moment of birth. So much more. It’s the birth environment, the light in the room, the details, the comings and goings of those who are there. It’s mom holding on to dad in pain, the doula offering a supportive hand, the midwife making suggestions for pain relief and the OB preparing and helping mom push. It’s the baby placed on moms chest for the first time, the tears of joy, pure adrenaline, the cutting of the cord and babies little toes and fingers. It’s the first time a sibling meets a new baby brother or sister with a look of wonder and apprehension. It’s all of those things put together. It’s the journey of a birth day. It’s the making of a family. It’s special. And if a family chooses so, it deserves to be captured.

The New York Times article mentioned the word “diva” and it made me cringe. I can honestly say that I’ve never been hired by a “diva”. No, it is quite the opposite, in fact. The moms who hire me do so because they want their memories captured and they overlook how they might feel about their own appearance. They do so because they want their baby captured and because they want the journey of labor and all the details with the support team captured. Being a diva has nothing to do with any of that. I can fairly say the moms I’ve photographed during labor and delivery are both humble and modest. Many are concerned about privacy with their images. Many moms want these images for themselves, and never have the intention to share them with friends, family or the general public. You will find quite a few slideshows on my website, but there are more that will never be seen because the parents chose to not share them. Those images are theirs, they are special and private, just for them. That’s ok. And so is sharing if that is what you choose to do. Every single slideshow I have shared has been edited to the wishes of my clients. I loved sharing the slideshow of the birth of my third child, it was a huge moment in our lives. It’s all about comfort level and trusting the professional you hired to photograph you in a positive light and according to your wishes. A good professional birth photographer will talk with you in detail before the birth about what exactly you do and do not want photographed and then follow that path. For many parents, giving birth is one of the most defining and special moments in their lives. Wanting to have it captured so you can remember it does not make you a diva or vain.

Another question I see a lot is “why can’t dad just take the photos?”. This is a great question and I have a great answer! Dad deserves to be in the photo too. This is the birth of his child and he should be able to experience it take it all in without the responsibility of focusing on the camera in his hand. His job is to support mom and experience the birth of their child along with her. It is easy for family members to get caught up in the moment and forget the camera is in their hands. Many clients tell their birth photographers that they captured moments they totally missed or didn’t even know were happening because they were so caught up in having gone through labor and given birth. Imagine the enormity of that gift, to walk away from your birth with extra moments. Birth photography is also growing in popularity amongst military families. For these families, having a professional birth photographer means that a dad who is deployed gets to experience the birth of his child in a way he never would have been able to otherwise. Additionally, the majority of my clients are not first time parents. Moms often tell me they hire me because they “don’t want to forget again”. I am among the mothers who feel that way and easily declare my child’s birth photographs as one of my most prized possessions.

One thing Ms. Gootman got right in her article is that being an on-call birth photographer is tough. Yes, that she got right! We live next to our phones, even in the shower and while we sleep. We jump when the phone rings, we don’t travel without major planning ahead, we take our cameras with us when we go further than a few miles from the house, we give up school programs with our kids, we miss birthdays and holidays, we also panic if we get sick and look for someone to back us up, we give up freedoms of being able to come and go and plan ahead. It is a sacrifice for not only us, but our spouses and children. That’s a big part of the expense when hiring a professional birth photographer, being on call, the many hours away from our families, loss of sleep and convenience and even more hours in front of a computer editing. Comparing dollars to time with a birth vs. portrait work, I certainly make more off portrait work. I don’t do this job to get rich, I do it because I really, really, love what I do.

The New York Times article also sent an underlying message that birth photographers are not professional. Portraying yourself as a friend with a nice camera and fancy lenses is not something a professional, experienced, birth photographer would do. I have never been treated as a guest of my client at a birth. I present myself as a professional and have been respected by every medical professional I’ve come in contact with, hospital or otherwise. I’ve never been kicked out of the room by a doctor, nurse or hospital administrator based on my mere presence. I’ve always been treated as a professional. Why? Because I am one and I behave as one. I am a part of that birth team. The parents have chosen to have me there and it is their birth experience. I am not intrusive to the process. I have respect for the health of both mom and baby and know that is always top priority. This means staying out of the way, which is perfect, because most of us in this business take a “fly on the wall” lifestyle approach to birth photography. Every medical professional I have encountered has appreciated and respected that. In fact, during my last hospital birth, one of my favorite OB’s saw me in the hall and excitedly ran over to ask if I was there for her patient. I have a working relationship with the area hospitals and birth centers. We get along, I follow the rules and they are respectful of my professionalism. They are happy their patients are getting what they want and need out of their birth experience. You know what else? They love the photographs too. Are there exceptions to this? Of course. There are a few photographers out there who have had trouble with hospitals allowing them in for birth photography, but they are very few and far between. I know most of the photographers interviewed for Ms. Gootman’s recent article in the New York Times and I know for a fact she had to hunt far and wide for a doctor to interview that wasn’t on board with birth photography.

Birth photography is not for everyone, and that is ok. Some families want their privacy and don’t wish to invite a photographer to their birth and we respect it isn’t for everyone. But for those just hearing about birth photography for the first time, please open your mind and understand what birth photography really is all about. Please know, we are professionals and we act accordingly. We care about positive birth experiences. We care about the health of mother and baby. We respect the medical and birth professionals our clients have hired and follow the rules and procedures they put in place. We are respectful of the birth process and birth experience. We respect the mother’s choices when it comes to what she does or does not want photographed. And through all this professionalism, we may still shed a tear when a baby is born. We are invested in our clients, they become friends, I assure you we are not a stranger in the room.

The truth about birth photography is that it is beautiful and misunderstood. We are storytellers and we really love what we do.

Written by Lyndsay Stradtner, www.lifeinmotionphotography.com
Founder of The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers, www.birthphotographers.com

45 comments

Sarah

June 19, 2012

Well said! Can’t wait to share this.
admin

June 19, 2012

I love this: http://pinkletoesblogstalker.com/2012/06/does-this-make-me-a-diva.html
Heidy Norel

June 19, 2012

Well said IAPBP !! Birth Photography exists because women want to remember that giving birth is a miracle… We have the technology and use it to share devastating images… why not use it to share something as sublime as the birth of a baby?

I think we need to be more sensitive… Everyone should be able to see the first birth of a Baby , even if is not theirs… It is a BEAUTIFUL experience.
Keri Duckett

June 19, 2012

Lyndsay, fabulous. Thank you for taking the time to write this!
Erin McCombie

June 19, 2012

Bravo!

So very well said (and illustrated).

It’s pretty poor that the article shares none of the (amazing) resulting photos.
melissa

June 19, 2012

Thank you so much for this.. I linked it to the blog post I did!
http://www.melissawilsonphotography.net/the-beauty-of-birth-photography-mw-photography-a-ct-birth-photographer/
crystal

June 19, 2012

Love this! Word-for-word PERFECT!

I recently was asked by a friend to photograph her birth, and I don’t know why I didn’t make the connection sooner. It was so important for me to have as many pictures as possible when our twins were born, but that meant my husband had to step out of the moment to capture memories I would have forgotten, and therefore there are no photos of him. That’s the inspiration for why I now want to do this for other couples. I love the beauty and emotion in birth, I don’t understand why people have to be so close-minded and ignorant to it…
Mandie McGlynn

June 19, 2012

Perfect, Lydnsay! Thank you for saying what’s been on all our minds.
Mara

June 19, 2012

Awesome article! I had read the NY times article and was also dismayed at how birth photography was being portrayed. I felt like she was trying to create a stir and a controversy. diva?! Seriously, who in the heck really thinks they look their finest in labor? It’s not about looking good, it’s about capturing the moment. And I agree, you have to see images from a birth photographer to understand. One other point to your article above is that dads are also not pro photographers. My husband did take some images from the birth of our second child and I am so grateful to have them, but they are snapshots and not the quality of what I could have had from an experienced professional.
I am not a professional photographer but rather a mom that is passionate about documenting our lives. I so wish that I had images from the birth of my children. I have already looked through the local (to me) photographers on your site in the case that we do we have a third child and I would have reason to hire one!
Kristina

June 19, 2012

well written and wonderful post! As someone who both photographs births and had one of my own births photographed I agree, they are some of my most treasured pictures. It’s not gross at all, it’s beautiful and amazing.
Kate

June 19, 2012

Wonderfully expressed! People have been missing the picture completely.
Renata Pollock

June 19, 2012

You said it all! I was shocked with some of the comments on these articles… calling the mother selfish, saying they think they are the first one to have a baby. Well,that’s exactly how we feel. Birth photography is absolutely beautiful, and a great gift to leave to your child. I just did my third session and I’m loving it! This is really new here in Canada, but so far, everyone who has seen the photos thought they were beautiful.
Paula S.

June 19, 2012

Lyndsay – This was extremely well written. As a hobbyist photographer and mother of two I deeply regret not knowing about birth photography when I had my children just 5 and 7 years ago. Those special moments can become such a blur with excitement, fear, complications, joy, etc. I would treasure the opportunity to remember and relive those moments had they been captured by a birth photographer. Sadly they were not and I strongly urge other new mom friends to get them captured. You can’t go back in time. Don’t have the regret I do. Thanks to Lyndsay for founding this association and to all birth photographers for helping families capture these special moments!
Jeri Hoag

June 19, 2012

Thank you for writing this, Lyndsay. It’s pefect! The birth of a child is one of the most amazing experiences one will go through in their life. It’s a beautiful thing, not gross. It deserves to be captured forever.
SHANE RHOADES

June 19, 2012

Great article and hope this is more insightful to people that have previously been ignorant of it. We are motherhood photographers and birth is becoming more popular slowly but surely. I can really see the frustrations and challenges currently being faced (and conquered) will help so much, thank you for facing the storms and doing your part. We have been experiencing some of the same with our breastfeeding images, very rewarding and enjoyed by many but still so much drama around it at times!
-Shane Rhoades Photography
Kristina Provinsal

June 19, 2012

Thank you so much for coming back with such a beautifully written article truly explaining Birth Photography. <3
Renee Bergeron

June 19, 2012

Well said! Here is a link to the article I wrote: http://bakersdozenandapolloxiv.com/2012/06/18/birth-photography-would-you-could-you-bellingham-birth-photographer/
Andrea

June 19, 2012

My sweet baby girl is 16 days old today- my sister is a professional photographer and documented Ellie’s birth for us! I will treasure these images always, every person who has looked at them so far has cried as they are absolutely priceless! I can’t imagine giving this job to my husband, my sister was able to capture his emotion and expression in a way that he never could have.

The only request the Dr. had to her was no shots below my waist like of the baby directly coming out- so she stood over my shoulder and shot from there when Ellie came into the world. They are extremely tasteful and beautiful. I am so grateful.
Leilani Rogers

June 19, 2012

Finally a valid look at birth photography! Thank you Lyndsay for your timely response and for all you do for the birth photography community!
Kelsea

June 19, 2012

Your words ring with the truth. Well said, my dear!
Erika

June 19, 2012

Beautifully written!! And it truly explains the “why” that has been missing from all the other articles steaming off the NYT article. Excellent!
jodie

June 19, 2012

Thanks Lynds… we all need to be rallying around birth photography right now and what you wrote is perfection!
Christy Estep

June 19, 2012

The photography of a birth is one of the most beautiful things in the world. There is nothing more precious than a birth. New beginings, adventures and love that word cannot express but photography can! Looking through these images I feel the emotions. Maybe it’s because I’ve felt them.

This post is amazing and very true. Thank you for posting.
Susan Wiechmann

June 19, 2012

Lyndsay, this article brought tears to my eyes. The emotions that come with a birth always choke me up. I read the New York Times article. My sister got the paper in Texas and called me right away. As always what you say is edited by the writer and this article is the one that should have been published.. Thank you
Nicole Taylor

June 19, 2012

So well said Lyndsay! After haven spoken with Elissa Gootman myself and knowing what was said between her and I it makes it abundantly clear after reading the article that the best intentions were not in mind. Like you said yesterday that you had given her so much useable content that she obviously eliminated. This whole thing has made me nervous about the whole Good Morning America interview tomorrow! Here’s hoping this story will open the eyes to the beauty of it.
Birth Photography wouldn’t be where it is today if it wasn’t for you. )
Momto2Angels

June 19, 2012

I am not a birth photographer but my friend had posted this link on Facebook.

Another part of birth photography that gets a seriously bad rap is the INCREDIBLE work that volunteer photographers do for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. (www.nilmdts.org)

I have been blessed to have been the recipient of those photos and they are truly invaluable to me.

Thank you to all of you who volunteer to do that work. YOU are angels!
Lexia frank

June 19, 2012

a must read: http://www.kissingtree.org/2012/06/19/birth-photography-and-the-truth-behind-what-it-really-is/

discussing the reasons behind birth photography and the concerns nay-sayers may have.
Mandy Rodrigues

June 19, 2012

Amazing article. Not only highlights birth photography, make transitions to any type of photography. I spent hours explaining to people who are concerned about what may show up in shots, when I usually show them a picture then they leave me to do the work they hired me for!
You rock my world for writing that!!
Kira

June 19, 2012

Well said, and well shown. Just looking at the few photos you selected to share I started to tear up. Capturing that moment of first meeting your baby is so precious and joyful! Keep up the good work.
reyanna

June 19, 2012

I love this!! Thank you! Our birth photographer (Leilani Rogers) shared this article with me, and I’m so glad she did! So beautifully written. Plus, you used one of our photographs. I just love that photo. Thank you!
Heidi

June 19, 2012

Wonderfully written! I have to say I was skeptical about birth photography but my husband wanted his sister (a terrific photographer) to photograph the birth of our first child and I agreed. I look back now at the pictures and I’m so grateful my husband had her take the pictures! I will be having them done at every one of my childrens births to come. It’s such a precious thing to see my baby being born and to hold her for the first time. Now I have those precious moments captured forever!
Angie

June 19, 2012

Thank you and said perfectly. Just like you said, “The truth about birth photography is that it is beautiful and misunderstood.” Thank you for writing this it is exactly what I needed today.
melissa rhodes

June 19, 2012

love how you express this! I had birth photos done of my 6th child. I just wish I had done it with the first too!
Michelle

June 19, 2012

Bravo, Lyndsay. Too bad the NYT won’t publish this article. Ms. Gootman should be ashamed because not only is your article well written, it is actually filled with truth. Thank you.
Kirsty

June 19, 2012

As a person who up until a week ago knew nothing or had even heard of birth photography you have no idea the regret I have for not having this done for my now 4 year old son! I have a disorder that makes becoming pregnant and keeping it very difficult so it’s quite possible we will only have one child. All I have as a keepsake from the amazing day when my son was born is 2 photos quickly shot by the midwife of the three of us together, there dark and ones a little blurry. But let me tell you, if I ever get to live that dream again, there WILL be a birth photographer in that room with me! It’s a wonderful thing you capture and create!
Jessica

June 19, 2012

Thank you for this beautiful response to the mass media’s mistreatment of our industry. Let’s hope this post is spread far and wide!
Vanessa

June 20, 2012

I loved this. Every last word. I haven’t had my first birth session yet, but I do look forward to it! Miles’ story touched home for me. My sister was put on bed rest early on (I think at about 15 weeks) and would be having a baby not long after that. At the end of her 24th week, Jordan decided he wanted to enter this world. They were able to keep him put until she was 25 weeks and 6 days. He was born March 30, 2009 weighing in at a 1 pound and 14 ounces. I wish I would have been able to capture the moments for my sister like the photographer did for Miles’ parents. However, we lived 8 hours away and missed the birth. He came home on his dute date, July 7, 2009 – 100 days after he was born. He is a miracle for sure. He’s a happy little 3 year old that is use to having his picture taken. Birth Photography is truly beautiful and anyone who feels otherwise clearly must not understand it in it’s entirety!
melanie (beautiful beginnings)

June 20, 2012

amen! we weren’t the ones who said diva either! i hated how she took my words that were “off the record” and took them out of context to make me sound douchey. gah. don’t say to us, “what? didn’t you think she was crazy, the tests could have been inaccurate!? she must have been over anxious!” i would never ever ask a mom to confirm her pregnancy!annoyed!
anyway. what you said is dead on for us in cincy. your work is beautiful! and thanks for being so positive through all of this. keep it up!!
Jessica B Photography

June 27, 2012

Thanks Lyndsay!! So well said! I linked you on my blogpost. http://jessicabphotography.com/birth-photographys-15-minutes-of-fame-las-vegas-birth-photographer/
Shelley

June 28, 2012

I am so incredibly thrilled that my sister in law took some beautiful pictures when we homebirthed our daughter two years ago. They are not images that I would publicly share, and I certainly would not describe myself as a “diva”!
It does disappoint me though, to know that our closest public hospital in Melbourne (Australia) has banned photography and videos of any kind – professional or even just dad taking a few snaps – in any type of birth.
Monica Shirk

August 25, 2012

You take beautiful photos and capture the true beauty of birth. I was a Labor and Delivery, Nursery, and Postpartum RN for 10 years but after a move I became a housewife. Missing the exhilaration and bonding with families I decided to start offering Childbirth Photography as a free service to families in the Phoenix, AZ area as it was just as much of a gift to me as my photos are to the families. That was five years ago when I had searched Google for this service, there were less than a dozen nationwide and none where nurses.

I had so many calls and emails when the NYT story came out. Pretty neat!

I continue to offer my photography services for free. Feel free to contact me on FB if you’re in the Phoenix Valley: Monica Shirk, RN Childbirth Photography.
ginette greene

November 20, 2012

Beautifully said…

Life is a process much like the weaving of a tapestry.
Chronicling that process for the future reminds us of those first gossamer threads that began to weave the tapestry of one’s life.
No matter the outcome… it’s truly miraculous.