Every pregnancy and every birth is different but there are definitely a number of questions which are repeated by most mums-to-be I speak to who are considering birth photography. The main one is “What do I need to consider?”
Having been through countless birth photography sessions and meeting a huge number of couples, I’ll list below what I consider to be the holy trinity of questions for those considering birth photography.
- Is my partner okay with birth photography?
It’s very important to make sure you are both on the same page with birth photography. Showing your partner beautiful photography and reassuring them that the photographer is a fly on the wall and absolutely non-intrusive can go a long way. Some suggestions to help can be found here. - Is my obstetrician/hospital/doula willing to accept a birth photographer?
Not all obstetricians/hospitals/doulas are okay with having a birth photographer present. Most are, however, some have had bad experiences with amateur photographers. Typically saying you are working with Kelly Jordan Photography goes a long way, but some may need some convincing that we will be in no way a distraction in the safe delivery of your little one. In this case, give us a call and we can usually help out with references. - What should I expect from birth photography?
Each and every one of my client’s remarks when seeing their photographs that they had no idea I was even in the room (trust me, your attention will be elsewhere). My job is to stay out of the way and capture the event; you and your family are the stars of the show. As for what to expect from you beautiful photography, I believe our gallery is the best way to explain that.
Beyond questions though, it’s important that our clients understand the process which will be followed leading up to the big day. The two most important elements are:
- Make sure you share your due date with us. While we are on call from 37 weeks until your little one’s birthday, due dates can change as you get regular check-ups towards the end of your pregnancy. Make sure you keep us informed.
- Once labour starts, send us a text message to let us know it’s happening. Once you are nearing the point of heading to the hospital or your doula has arrived for your home-birth, this is the time to give us a call and we will arrive to ensure we capture everything. From that point on, we’ll stick around until the job is done.
The bottom line is that every birth is different. The above are great guidelines, but are in no way are they a substitute for a conversation. Give us a call, we’d love to hear about your upcoming birth and to have a chat in more detail about what you can expect and how we can help.