In our conversation, Cyd shares how her experience photographing her autistic son doing whatever made him happiest led her to pursue the power of documentary and real life photography. Cyd’s view is that real life is more interesting, funnier and more joyful than the studio smile and cheese moments. She reminds us to pay attention to the beautiful moments in our everyday lives, as ultimately these will make up what we will come to treasure.
Cyd shares how she got into birth photography, and how she knew it was for her after just one session photographing a co-worker’s birth. Cyd sees that the work that she does as being a family historian, documenting the stories that families write together.
Cyd explains how she shoots from the perspective of having the baby look at the images in the future, and how that perspective alters the way she documents births.
We also chat about the the difference between real life and documentary photography, and nature of documenting real life. Cyd talks about her work with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a photography service for families that won’t have the chance of getting a lifetime of photographs with their infant. She reflects on how this photography has been her most important work, the lessons it has taught her, and the reasons she does it.
Cyd’s work and her approach to life is incredibly inspiring. She leaves us with such a beautiful message about being ok to laugh at our mistakes, and the importance of living our lives authentically.
LINKS
Now I Lay Me Down to SleepHeartfelt
Hands Producing Hope
Where you can find Cyd Lapour:
Website: https://bayourosephoto.com/birth-photography-baton-rouge
Instagram: @cydley
Where you can find us:
Our website: International Association of Professional Birth Photographers
If you’d like to become a member you can sign up here!
