Capturing the moment

"You're a birth photographer? Isn't that a bit gory?"  Alex Warland is now used to that question, and but instead she admits to the privilege of witnessing a woman at the pinnacle of her power, and the birth of a new family.

"I cried when taking these pictures of Luna. Birth photography moves me so much." Alex Warland, photographer Photo used with parents' permission. Zandra Warland Photography

"Of course your partner can take pictures at your birth, but with a photographer, their experience is captured as well." says Alex.  "I had no idea how supportive my husband was, yet he was there the whole time!" says Luna  "I'll treasure these pictures forever...  I now wish someone had photographed my mother in her full power giving birth to me."

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The birth photography profession has gone through a significant boom in the last few years, especially with the proliferation of social media.  These images appear to be so emotive, women in particular are inspired to document these peak, yet intensely personal experiences in their lives.

Still, birth photography lacks general acceptance and understanding. Rhiannon hired a photographer for her second birth earlier this year, but her grandparents questioned her choice.  "Of course I'll have a photographer there." she told them. For Rhiannon, the bringing in of new life is "better than any wedding day".

Rhiannon discovered birth photography after the premature birth, and subsequent passing, of her firstborn nearly five years ago.  In the haze and shock of the experience, the hospital offered her access to a birth photographer for free to document her and her husband's final hours with their baby.  She admits she would never have thought to ask for this, and is so glad she was offered the services of Heartfelt - a volunteer organisation of photographers.  "Without the photos, I would have forgotten so much about our first baby."

So for her second birth, Rhiannon was clear she wanted a photographer present - "so many details you forget, or don't see", and this birth was to be a rarely-offered procedure known as a maternal-assisted c/section.  Rhiannon herself would be able to lift her baby out of her belly with her own hands and she wanted to capture everything.   

​"Every detail of your child's birth is so important." says Rhiannon.  In our podcast "Capturing the Moment" Rhiannon refers to one photo in particular of a nurse in the theatre looking at Rhiannon with tears in her eyes, as she looks at her baby for the first time. 

After 4 years of waiting... Photo used with parents' permission. Photographer: Rana Rankin, Breathe Birth Photography

Birth is such a hormonal process, and in Rhiannon's case, technically complex as well, so birth photographers need to be extremely careful to not disturb the woman or her team in any way. 

Scholars of birth, such as Dr Sarah Buckley, say that a woman needs to feel "private, safe and unobserved" to give birth efficiently, as well as bond and establish breastfeeding.  "Your birth photographer needs experience in being in a birth space. They must be quiet and respectful at all times." says Alex.

Birth photographers tend to already be working in the field, which gives them this understanding.  Alex Warland is a breastfeeding counsellor and Rana Rankin, who took Rhiannon's photos is a midwife.

It's a profession that also calls for a special dedication, with birth often happening at inconvenient times.  "It's like being a doula or a midwife" says Alex.  "You've got to be on call and ready to drop your kids with friends or family at any time."

Listen to "Capturing the moment: The rise and rise of birth photography" on Spreaker.

Anita, a midwife before becoming a mother, knew from her first pregnancy she would hire a birth photographer, and that they would need to fade into the wallpaper to not disturb her.  "I had absolutely no idea where she was in the room the whole time." she says. "Yet she knew what to capture and when."

"I would never give birth without my photographer being there." says Anita. Photo used with parents' permission. Breathe Birth Photography

Tips for hiring a birth photographer

​Here's a list of pointers, compiled with Alex's help.

• A directory of birth photographers can be found at: http://birthphotographers.com/ and at: www.aipp.com.au/.
• Check out the photographer's website and get a feel for if they are passionate and educated on birth. It’s very important they have experience specific to birth, as it requires a very unique set of skills and a certain amount of dedication to photographing birth.  If possible, speak with some women who have engaged the photographer before.
• As with all other choices you'll make in your birth, your partner also needs to be on-board with having a photographer present.  Give yourself and your partner time to discuss all possible concerns or questions together well before the birth.
• When you meet, make sure you feel good with them.  You are inviting them into a very personal sacred space so you need to feel comfortable with the person you choose.
• Give clear guidelines for what you want photographed, and what you don't.  Some women are happen for everything to be photographed, and others want discreet shots only.  Consider showing your photographer the kinds of pictures you like.
• Check they have a backup photographer they work with who is also experienced, in case they can't make it.
• Birth photographers need top of the range equipment, as birth can happen in virtual darkness and they need to be able to work with that.
• Ask if they have liability insurance. 
• How much they change can be a good indication of how good they are and how seriously they take birth. Generally you shouldn't be paying any less than $800 with the amount of work that goes in, and even that is very cheap. Good photographers will charge between $1000 and $3000.
• Remember there is much more work going into birth photography than wedding photography, being on call for 5 weeks, missing kids events/ birthdays, going to events in separate cars, on-call babysitters, lengthy times at the labour. As with everything, you will get what you pay for. This is a lifetime investment and you may need to plan ahead and save accordingly.

Nicole Moore from Birth into Being Australia also has a short video with suggestions for preparing for a photographer in your birth space.

"One day, photographers will be at most births, the way photographers are at most weddings." says Alex.  With the huge international interest in these highly emotive images, I'm inclined to agree.

For more inspiration from professionally taken birth images, check out this compilation of "a birth photographers' why".

Birth Photography Day 2017 from Nicole Burmeister on Vimeo.

Author: Sally Cusack