Post by Martinis&Medicine on Feb 16, 2016 19:09:08 GMT -5
I'm (obviously) a huge advocate for birth photography! I've never met anyone who regretted having it done and am already researching photographers in my area for this baby. It's kind of hard though because I'm really picky since I do it, too. It's going to be tough to decide. If there's anyone considering it but has questions or wants to see examples, I'd be happy to help if I can.
Post by ksyknelvr73 on Feb 16, 2016 19:24:20 GMT -5
I am totally interested in this...same scenario @kitchen being my last baby and all. I really want to remember this and have these pictures to keep and cherish. A friend of mine did them for her first baby and they were the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I was crying! It was amazing.
Post by littlelanes on Feb 16, 2016 19:26:22 GMT -5
I didn't for DD's birth, but I went into labor early. This time I will have a birth photographer. I'm actually photographing a friend's birth in April and I'm really excited!
I video taped my first child's birth (from the side, Kardashian style). I love the video. Will do that again. I will have my sister take pics but no to that kind of money. I paid $1000 for maternity, newborn, 6 month, and 1 year pics combined. But I've got a whole lot of thinking to do about the whole labor process in general. I can imagine if a med free birth was a certain, I would be more into looking at it.
The biggest thing is to choose someone you are comfortable with. I require at least two meetings before you give birth to get to know each other. My clients have the option of having as many meetings as they need to in order to feel at ease with me. Having someone who stresses you out in the room can stall your labor and a good birth photographer's priority will be you safely giving birth, and then photos. Birth photos can be very expensive, and sometimes having a friend do the photos is a nice compromise. They may not be the professional $1500 photos you were considering, but you'll be comfortable and have photos to remember the day. If hiring a professional I, personally, would hesitate at anyone who doesn't have a back up camera. Sometimes weird things happen but it would be devastating if their camera went out and they didn't have a back up just in case. They should be respectful of the hospital staff. The doctor's job is more important than the photographers job, and we should know our place. Try to find people who have used them and see what their experience was. Not every one can be a birth photographer, and even fewer should. It's a high stress situation and not everyone is equipped to handle that.
Everything else is really up to your personal preference. Style of the photos, personality of the photographer, price, packages offered, etc.
Oh! Lastly, avoid any photographer that uses flash (unless you think you'll be ok with it. But no birth photographer should EVER use flash unless specifically requested. I personally refuse because I don't want to disturb you or the blind the staff while you're giving birth).
I would love to have a birth photographer but just can't afford that! I have a decent DSLR so if DH can just get a couple shots right after she's born, I'll be happy. I may have a friend photographer come and photograph DD meeting LO though. Depending on what she could offer price wise.
Last time, we took a couple blurry phone shots after DD was born and that's it. I wish we had more photos from the hospital, and better quality ones. But... On one hand, my gut reaction is NO, absolutely NOT, I don't want someone I don't know very well taking pictures of me and the process and all our vulnerability. On the other hand, I've seen those kind of pictures from other people and they're beautiful and I can see how they might be treasured.
I have a friend who is just starting out in her photography business. I wonder how she would feel if I proposed hiring her for something like this? Or, at least, a mini family photoshoot in the hospital after the birth.
I think I am in the minority, but I don't want any photos during giving birth. I hate having photos taken of me, so it would add more stress to the whole process. But who knows, I am a FTM, so I might feel differently later on.
I think I am in the minority, but I don't want any photos during giving birth. I hate having photos taken of me, so it would add more stress to the whole process. But who knows, I am a FTM, so I might feel differently later on.
I think the one picture I wish I had was a shot of the first moment, when they put DD on my chest and I got to see her for the first time. Probably it wouldn't have been that great of a picture in reality. I mean, she pooped on me pretty much right away so... maybe the moment right after that. Either way, I think I would like to have a picture of our first meeting, our first cuddle. Other than that... I don't really need to remember the rest.
I love birth photography! I would really like to have a photographer present this time around. I wish I could spend that much because every single birth shoot I've seen has been so lovely. That must be such a rewarding career. We had planned on recording our first but as soon as I got into the birth pool... Well, I realized it wasn't going to be as nice as I had imagined. Everyone in the room was so focused on getting the water to the right temperature that there weren't any photos taken until the last few hours. I had no idea that my midwife had my phone and took a couple snaps once everything was settled. She got some really good ones that I'll cherish forever.
I think I am in the minority, but I don't want any photos during giving birth. I hate having photos taken of me, so it would add more stress to the whole process. But who knows, I am a FTM, so I might feel differently later on.
I offer 'Fresh 48' sessions which take place at the hospital (or home if it's a home birth) in the first 48 hours after the baby is born. It's a great alternative to birth photography which can feel invasive if you are uncomfortable with it. My 'Fresh 48' is the same price as my Birth Photography, so I always make sure the mom knows that if I'm there for her birth and she changes her mind mid-labor, I am 100% willing to leave and come back and just switch to a Fresh 48. That way there's no pressure and I'm there if she is still unsure when the time comes, or just feels differently in the moment. Moms comfort is #1 priority. You should be able to find a photographer in your are who offers the same services. Not trying to pressure you at all, of course, just wanted to make sure you knew about those options, as many people don't.
I've never had birth photography, but I'd consider it. With DD, DH set up the video camera on the hospital table right after she was born. I absolutely love watching that video of her first cries and getting checked by the nurses.
ETA: I probably wouldn't pay a professional because of the price, but I'd love to have someone take a few pics with a nice camera. Last time I didn't want anyone else in the room, but I think I'm over that.
If we had the dollars, I'd consider immediate post-birth photography. I hate photos of myself and with DS1, I didn't let H take any of me, which I don't necessarily regret, but I do wish I'd had more photos of DS1. But if I want newborn photos (which very much I do) then birth photos are a negative.
ladystrat , oh I love breastfeeding shoots! They are another one of my favorites to do!
Yes, well, I was less than thrilled to see myself on breastfeeding blogs a few months later.
I did give her permission to use that one as a sample for future customers (my face isn't showing), but I guess I wasn't specific enough.
OMG that's awful! Even if you sign a contract that says they have the right to share your photos, it's just common sense to ask permission to share photos that are that intimate. I'm sorry that happened.
I would have loved some pictures from my last birth. DS was brought up to the NICU and was there for a week, so I don't have any nice newborn pictures besides a blurry camera shot of the three of us right after he was born. I'm going to make a better effort at getting pictures this time around.
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