Capturing Life's First Moments: The Role of Birth Photography

For centuries humans have created art around fertility, pregnancy, and birth. There is something intriguing and deeply spiritual for us surrounding the journey of bringing new life into the world. Birth photography is no different and although it's not new, it's becoming increasingly popular.

Professional photographers are hired to capture various momentous life events, from weddings and birthday parties to newborns. Birth photography is what it says - a shoot of labour and birth.

During my own pregnancy journey, I've come across some birthing wards that advertise for photographers to be present during the birth. While this idea of capturing pivotal life events make sense for a birthing shoot, there are obvious questions that are raised around privacy and feelings of safety.

Interestingly, research has shown that women prefer birthing in spaces where they are unobserved. The very act of being observed, especially by a stranger, can have the adverse effect of slowing down labour. The people who are invited into the birthing room need to be carefully chosen as any anxiety, fear, or feeling unsafe can drastically change the outcome of labour and birth. Think of it like having to use the toilet with several people watching you - not so easy.

But everyone is different and what may feel intrusive to one, is quite normal to another.

Feelings of privacy and sharing

There are some women who feel comfortable, not only taking photos of their birth, but openly sharing them on social media platforms. I have personally seen pictures of a C-Section delivery posted on Facebook to announce the birth of the baby - bloody bits and all.

Others want to capture this precious moment, but only to keep it private for themselves. I've heard that recording your baby's first cry can be quite a magical memory to have.

Most of the time (and in the example above), labour and birth photographs are captured on smartphones. But what happens when a professional photographer is added to the mix? There is obviously a delicate balance between privacy and wanting to encapsulate this momentous life event.

So why would someone want a photographer in the birthing room with them? I suppose it's important to note here that birth photography is a sort of documentary photography. It's a record of an important life event. One that is overflowing with emotion, and one that you may not fully remember. For this reason, a growing number of families are looking at inviting birth photographers into their birthing space to record their baby's journey into the world.

The environment in which a birth happens also has an impact on whether or not a birth photographer would be able to attend the birth. This includes the laws of the country, to the regulations of the place of birth.

Photo by Jonathan Borba

Home birth, birthing centre or hospital

The choice of birthing location would influence the potential to have a photographer present for the birth. A home birth would give the most flexibility, as you're in your own home and there are no limits set on who can attend or how many people can be present.

A birthing centre would then offer slightly less flexibility as they are an institution but they are a sort of “middle ground” between a home birth and a hospital birth. You would have more freedom to choose who could be in your birthing room. In my experience, I've seen birth photographers advertised on birthing centre websites.

The hospital option would then have the most limitations. There are restrictions as to how many people you have with you in the birthing suite and not all the rooms are very spacious either, further limiting the possibility of having an additional person present. It would also depend on the particular hospital's policy - some only allow one support person into the birthing suite, while others allow more.

For obvious health and safety reasons, a professional photographer may not be allowed into the operating theatre if the birth was a Caesarean Section. Generally, only one person is allowed in with the mother but this depends on the hospital's policy.

New Zealand Birth Photographer, Hallie Campbell, is well-known for her incredible work in Auckland. She has attended all types of births, from home births, birthing centre births, to hospital births and she's even captured some fantastic C-Section births. Check out her Instagram to see her work.

Photo by ATC Comm Photo

What are the benefits of hiring a birth photographer

I may be preaching to the converted here, but it should be said nonetheless - professional photos are just better. Particularly for big life events. This is because professionals have developed their expertise. They know how to get the right angle, composition, and lighting that can turn even an ordinary moment into something artistic and magical.

The other benefit is for the partner or support person. Even if they are a photographer themselves, no one wants to be distracted during the birth of their child (well, I hope not at least). I'd like to think that if you are in the birthing room, supporting the labouring person, then you'd be invested enough in the birth to want to fully absorb every moment - and not have to worry about taking photos.

Another point to consider is the mother's journey through labour and birth. No matter what sort of birth occurs, it's a feat to get through and this story would be beautifully captured by a birth photographer. The mother's story of courage, power, longevity, relief, celebration, connection, and love, could be an invaluable journey to capture.

However, not all birthing people would feel comfortable being photographed in this time of vulnerability. Even just the thought of having someone document this experience may make them feel awkward and stressed. It's also worth noting that not all women have positive birth experiences, and some may not feel comfortable with the idea of documenting a, potentially, traumatic experience.

Considering birth photography: a personal reflection

As a pregnant person at the time of writing this, I can see the appeal in having labour and birth documented. Capturing the challenging and elating moments over the course of labour, culminating in my child's first cry, is alluring. But am I someone who would feel comfortable going through this process with someone other than my husband and midwife present? That's something I would have to give some serious thought to.

Overall, I think that photographers do have a place in a maternity suite - but it's dependant on the views and feelings of the birthing family. Especially the birthing mama. As a photographer, the awareness that you're being invited to witness one of the most intimate journeys of a person's life absolutely must be at the forefront of your mind. Not being a photographer myself, I would imagine this type of photography must take enormous skill to fully embrace the role of observer, and to not interfere with your subject matter.

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Written by Katya Mulvaney | Katya is a brand creation and digital marketing specialist. She heads up marketing and communication here at LightRocket. If you subscribe to our emailer or follow us on social media, then you're probably already familiar with some of her work. She also never shies away from a good plate of pasta.

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