What are your thoughts ....

BlinkingLight1

about birth photography?

Is that something you'd consider at the birth of your child? Or something that is private and not meant for a stranger to attend and photograph? Just interested to see some input on the subject

ShansBride

I would have loved to have a birth photographer at my births.  I cherish the videos I have so much, but some still shots would have been nice as well.  They are probably not pictures I would show to just anyone (since I like to birth in the nude and all :P) but I think they are beautiful.

I especially wish we had someone with a camera at G's birth becuase we really only have about 3 pictures after she was born becuase we were all so excited that no one really thought to take any photos.

drillerswife

Birth photography as in a photographer taking pics of DH and I, visiting with friends/family, me in labor/pushing, baby right after he/she is born, etc I'd be okay with. I do wish we had more pictures from when we were in L&D (especially of just the two of us)--I told DH we need to make sure we take more pics next time. However, I would want it to be done in a way where the photographer was able to make herself disappear, where we're able to forget someone is there taking pictures. I wouldn't want it to feel like a photo shoot Lol. It is a very private moment, but it's also one of those times in life where it's hard to remember all the intimate details (for me anyway) and I would appreciate having the pictures to remember certain moments. If we're talking pictures as the baby is coming out, no thank you. I don't need that captured on film or video .

BlinkingLight1

drillerswife:

Birth photography as in a photographer taking pics of DH and I, visiting with friends/family, me in labor/pushing, baby right after he/she is born, etc I'd be okay with. I do wish we had more pictures from when we were in L&D (especially of just the two of us)--I told DH we need to make sure we take more pics next time. However, I would want it to be done in a way where the photographer was able to make herself disappear, where we're able to forget someone is there taking pictures. I wouldn't want it to feel like a photo shoot Lol. It is a very private moment, but it's also one of those times in life where it's hard to remember all the intimate details (for me anyway) and I would appreciate having the pictures to remember certain moments. If we're talking pictures as the baby is coming out, no thank you. I don't need that captured on film or video .

Sorry if I wasn't clear... this is what I meant!

+buttercup+

Yes, I would consider it and if we ever get to that point, I imagine we'll have someone there to capture those moments. However, I would not hire just a random photographer. It would have to be someone DH and I are both comfortable having in the room with us.

fuzzylogic

No thank you. The only people I want in the room are critical people -- medical staff, H, maybe my sister for moral support if she's comfortable with it. I don't need someone in my sweaty face taking my picture while I'm in horrible pain. I get that it's "beautiful" but it's not my style.

llizzyb

It's great for other people! I've seen acquaintances' birth photography collections, and they can be really special. I have no desire to have all of the nitty-gritty moments captured, but I would love to designate someone "official camera manager" at the hospital before and after the actual birth. That way, DH and I don't have to worry about getting pictures of all the visitors, or getting those fresh newborn shots, first family pics, etc.

So maybe I'm halfway into birth photography? lol

BoyMom21

It's not something I would do.  I found those moments very private, and there is no way I'd want anyone but H with me during my labor and birth.  I'd be happy with my mom taking pictures of the baby after he's cleaned up and being passed around to be held, and that's about it!  I have no desire to have pics of myself during the whole thing.

tbvenable

It's not for me. If and when we ever have a baby it will only be me and C in the room other than the docs/medical staff and possibly one of the best friends but that is it. I am not a big picture taking person and I think everyone looks like helll after they have given birth so I could careless about the right after shot. All the other moments are to be private between C and I so I don't really get the point of having pictures taken.  

OSUWifey09

It's something I've been seriously considering for the next time around. Like someone else [maybe drillerswife?] said, I wish I had more pics of just me and H - my sister and mom were in the room on and off when I was in labor, but they were pretty hands-off and stayed out of the way. I'm not sure H would go for something like that [birth photography], but it's something I want to talk about when we start trying again.

BlinkingLight1

It's interesting to me that most second time moms are the ones who are more likely to consider it. I wouldn't have wanted it with #1, but I absolutely did with #2.

+PuppyWuppy+

Blinking Light, I loved your birth photographs. I would want something like that. I would not want a picture of the baby coming out of the birth canal, if you know whwat I mean.

amidavey06

I would love it. We barely have any pictures of M when we were in the hospital. We have a couple of videos that my mom took but they aren't the best. The only one I have is of me looking over into M's little bassinet and my eyes are half closed. Horrible picture! With the next one I will really consider it.

BoyMom21

+PuppyWuppy+:

Blinking Light, I loved your birth photographs. I would want something like that. I would not want a picture of the baby coming out of the birth canal, if you know whwat I mean.

Agreed, your birth photos were very tasteful & I liked them a lot.

I think that as long as the photos were flattering I might consider it.  As in, the photographer weeded out all of the ones of my double chin and fat arms.   Maybe I'm just too vain for this?  I was a chunk at the hospital with B.

+PuppyWuppy+

BoyMom21:

+PuppyWuppy+:

Blinking Light, I loved your birth photographs. I would want something like that. I would not want a picture of the baby coming out of the birth canal, if you know whwat I mean.

Agreed, your birth photos were very tasteful & I liked them a lot.

I think that as long as the photos were flattering I might consider it.  As in, the photographer weeded out all of the ones of my double chin and fat arms.   Maybe I'm just too vain for this?  I was a chunk at the hospital with B.

Oh, let me go ahead and state, I will need to be wearing make up and have my hair professionally blown out.

ShansBride

BlinkingLight1:

It's interesting to me that most second time moms are the ones who are more likely to consider it. I wouldn't have wanted it with #1, but I absolutely did with #2.

I thought this was interesting too.  I wanted it with M, but not V.  I also think its interesting that everyone talks about how labor is an intimate time between a husband and wife...and all the doctors/nurses around.  I think a good birth photographer would sort of make herself hidden.  When T was videotaping M's birth I didn't even know she was there.  I actually didn't even know she videotaped it until after she was born.  I would want a birth photographer to capture the moments that are just happening.

ETA:  I didn't mean that birth can't be intimate with drs and nurses, just that I wouldn't have noticed one extra person in the room

prettygirl06

No. Not during  the actual pushing/contractions moments. I will take a picture while in the bed with dh. I will also take a picture following of the newborn. I find it to be invasive and when one is most unflattering...

BlinkingLight1

ShansBride:

BlinkingLight1:

It's interesting to me that most second time moms are the ones who are more likely to consider it. I wouldn't have wanted it with #1, but I absolutely did with #2.

I thought this was interesting too.  I wanted it with M, but not V.  I also think its interesting that everyone talks about how labor is an intimate time between a husband and wife...and all the doctors/nurses around.  I think a good birth photographer would sort of make herself hidden.  When T was videotaping M's birth I didn't even know she was there.  I actually didn't even know she videotaped it until after she was born.  I would want a birth photographer to capture the moments that are just happening.

I didn't notice my doula taking pictures either. Actually one time I do remember hearing her camera snap and for one second I thought it was annoying and then, oh, another contraction.... and I completely forgot and didn't notice her at all again.

BlinkingLight1

BoyMom21:

+PuppyWuppy+:

Blinking Light, I loved your birth photographs. I would want something like that. I would not want a picture of the baby coming out of the birth canal, if you know whwat I mean.

Agreed, your birth photos were very tasteful & I liked them a lot.

Thank you! I do have pictures of him crowning and all that good stuff, I just chose not to share them. I'm weird like that. I like to have everything captured, even if it's not necessarily glamorous.

gingerfeathers

Considering I am not photogenic at all, even in the best of settings, my vanity would probably win this battle because I would look like Medusa giving birth or something. I would prefer someone has a camera and starts shooting immediately after (and keep me out of it until someone has brushed my hair).

I do like some of the photos though. Agree that BlinkingLight's were lovely, and if I looked that good giving birth I might consider it more.  

JLimberg

I would most definitely do it... and most likely will. I'll be photographing a friend's birth in a few days/weeks too and I'm SUPER excited about it. 

I don't necessarily intend to post them on Facebook or anything, maybe one or two, but I want a pro there. Hospital lighting (which is reason enough for me) + an amateur  + point and shoot camera = me not allowing anyone BUT a pro to photograph that moment. DH is pretty adamant about not wanting anyone else there, but then I won't be able to capture the moment. He proposed to me out in the middle of nowhere (so no pictures), our engagement pictures were ok, but then there aren't ANY pictures of him and I together (portrait style) from our wedding... Even if it is a private moment, I want it documented dammit.

GlitteryHeels

No thanks... Maybe once I actually have a child and experience how beautiful child birth can be, I might change my mind/feelings towards it... but having witnessed my cousin giving birth - i'm good with not capturing that on film/video. It was a bloody, poopy, screamfest of a mess. Which I think pretty much scarred me for life.

bluekid

Definitely not for me. 

SunnyDaze31

Not for me.

In the age of cell phone cameras, cheap point-and-shoots, and affordable DSLRs, everybody suddenly has a camera and many people seem to feel the need to photograph and document every event in excruciating detail. Let's just leave some things up to memory here.

jesseandbri

I will have someone there next time.  

I wish I would have had someone taking pictures with B but I honestly didn't even know how to go about searching for someone to do them before she was born.  I will say that while my labor/ birth did not show me "at my best" it is something that is forgotten so quickly I really want to have documentation that I was there in that moment.  I often times find myself thinking about those first hours as I rock B to sleep at night.