13 Commonly Asked Questions About Birth Photography
The Whats? and Whys? of Birth Work
Answering Real Questions about what it might mean to hire me as your birth photographer or doula
Written by your North East England Birth Keeper & Photographer
"So many questions, not enough time!"
This is very often the response I get when I share that I'm a full-time birth photographer. I've shared many a drink with a complete stranger who just could not believe this was my passion or that it was even a thing!
I really am so aware that birth photography is still new and growing. For most, it's unheard of and the logistics are a little scary or confusing.
So, I thought I'd share some knowledge, hopefully make birth photography feel a little bit more approachable and answer questions from REAL moms who might be considering a birth photographer for their next birthing journey.
How Does “On Call” Work?
For every due date, I go "on-call" right at your 38-week mark and stay on call until your little one arrives. I know some birth photogs who range anywhere from 37weeks to 39 weeks but in almost all situations if you are hiring a professional birth photographer their on-call includes backup plans to make sure they attend your birth no matter what week you deliver!
“On-call” for me means phone on loud all night long and on me all throughout the day so I can respond as quickly as possible to any notice of labor!
I structure my life in a way that I can head your way as soon as I have gotten notice. I usually try to wait until you are actively in labor as to not come too early but depending on the distance and travel time I plan accordingly for each mom.
While 38 -42 weeks is my personal on-call days this doesn't mean I don't do my absolute best to drop everything to come and be by your side at any time earlier or later as well. This is so I can schedule out my year and know in general when I will be “on-call” and “off call”.
If I want to take a vacation or weekend off I hire a backup to cover just the possibility of a baby coming. I also only book a hand full of births per month so I can be available to you fully.
2. How Long Do you stay at my birth?
I am in for the long haul! At minimum I stay with mom 3 hours if baby arrives really fast I try to stay atleast 2-3 hours after birth to capture postpartum moments. But most births are not under 3 hours so I stay with mom all throughout the experience, whether it 10 hours or 30 hours!
If I need to call in a back up after 24+ hours I will make sure the family understands and return as swiftly as I can though I rarely do this since my investment if for you and typically I can grab a nap during the process.
3. Do we meet you ahead of time to get to know you before the birth?
YES! I want to meet you, connect with you and answer all the questions or ease any fears you might have! This first meeting occurs before booking for photography and two times before birth if you decide you want me primarily there as a doula. As a doula I want to meet to get to know you first and then plan and prep with you as you get a bit closer to your due date.
4. Do you use a flash during birth? and How do you take photos if I labor and birth in the dark?
I keep an off-camera flash on hand at every birth but I rarely use it. If I can, I try to use the natural lighting in your space, that way I’m capturing not only the moments but the intended birthing atmosphere you created.
This often means turning on a lamp, bathroom light, or opening blinds. But in certain situations, I bring it out to capture a space that is a little extra dark or when mom requests no lighting be adjusted in the space. Why you may ask? because the benefit of using Flash is that I don’t need to disrupt your space, I use the flash sparingly and it bounces off the ceiling. This allows for a quick moment of light without changing too much of the space. I also often bring out the flash for faster-paced moments like “moment of birth.” The biggest thing I try to stress with families is that I will need SOME light so while each mom will have the opportunity to decline the use of flash or light adjustments during their birthing questionnaire after booking, they may receive fewer images, more black and white images or grainier images than what is seen my portfolio. But as a professional with 8 years of birth photography experience, I do my best to maintain the calm atmosphere of each birthing room and will do everything in my power to honor your wishes while capturing stunning images of this incredibly important birth-day!
5. How Much does it cost?
Birth photography with Hanna Hill Photography includes not only the on-call hours, hours at your birth, AND hours of hand editing your images but it also includes the years of experience as both a photographer and birth keeper. Hiring a certified professional birth photographer and doula means hiring someone who knows ALOT about birth and birthing spaces and honors them to the highest degree. That may mean birth photography is a little more of an investment but trust me it is always SO worth it! I also do everything in my power to offer payment plans and special pricing upon need when possible so definitely reach out.
You can also check out the up to date pricing here or reach out to me directly HERE
6. How does the booking process work?
First step is Contact me with your due date and birthing location! Once I know of availability we will get a birth meeting set up either in person or through zoom just to answer questions and connect. If it all feels right the next step is contract and retainer. The retainer is estimated at one third of your total collection and is due at signing. The remainder is not due until 30 days before your due date unless a payment plan is already worked out. Once you are booked you can reach out at any point with updates on baby, pregnancy or signs of labor. I’m happy to help in any way I can once you are one of my families so definitely don’t hesitate to reach out!
7. What happens if baby comes too fast?
And you don’t arrive in time?
I still come to your birth even if things are happening quickly, I do my best to capture all the golden moments of you and your family moments after birth. I typically stay 2-3 hours as well to be sure to capture extra details and all the priceless firsts. But if I feel like I need more story to fill up your beautiful gallery.
Then I offer a postpartum/newborn session or film with beautiful raw moments of you and baby after you’ve settled in at home. Usually scheduled within the first week after birth depending on the circumstances.
8. How many images can I expect? &
How Long Does it usually take to receive my gallery?
Each birth gallery includes a minimum of 150 images but can range anywhere from 200-300 depending on birth coverage and circumstances.
After birth, you will receive 5-7 preview images within 48 hours after birth. These are perfect for sharing the big news and holding on to while you wait to see your full gallery. Then I usually estimate 4-8 weeks to receive your full gallery of hand-edited images and 6-8 weeks for birth films. This gives the family much-needed time to process postpartum and feels refreshed after the first several weeks of living with a newborn. Options to expedited your gallery can be requested but may not be approved depending on the time of year.
9. When should I call during Labor to notify you? &
When do you come to the birth?
Notify me the second you think labor may be starting. Together we can talk about the actual details or sensations you are experiencing and make a plan for when I should head your way. If you are heading into the hospital or birth center definitely let me know before you leave, so we can either meet there together or wait for you to be seen by your midwife/Dr.
As a doula, I come as soon as you are ready for support. As a birth photographer, I arrive as close to active labor as possible. This typically looks like contractions 5-6 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute long and patterned this way for over 1 hour. But can look different per birthing body so just reach out and we can navigate this together to decide the best time for me to arrive.
10. What if there is an emergency and
I have to transfer or have a cesarean?
I will do everything in my power to follow you into the theater to capture the birth of your baby. This requires you to advocate for my support and presence. If an emergency occurs or a policy is put in place that restricts my access as your doula I usually give dad/a nurse the camera to capture a few moments throughout the Cesarean while I wait outside to capture the moments when you return to your birthing room postpartum.
11. Can I keep my images private? &
Are there certain images I can request not to be taken?
YES and YES! You have full choice on whether or not you share your birth images. You can also select which types of images you are comfortable with sharing and which you would like to keep private it is totally up to you. You can also request that some images ( like crowning or excess nudity) not be delivered or photographed on your birthing questionnaire.
12. How many births do you book a month?
As of right now (2021) I am ONLY booking 1-2 births per month, this is while I transition to a slower pace of business here in the UK. It also means booking as early as possible will ensure you reserve your due date on my calendar.
13. What kind of things do you photograph at a birth and Why?
Most commonly I think people only think of the crowning moment when they hear “birth photography.” But we in the birth photography world like to say,”it’s not about the crotch shot.” Yes sure I capture those moment for the moms who want them but it’s honestly a travesty to boil down birth photography to just that very short part. I mean it is Your baby’s Birth Day! the first moments of their life! So IT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A crowning shot !
With every birth I capture labor, details, moment of birth, first moments, close ups of baby as they were in those first hours and the full story that tells your little one’s birth day in a way you can celebrate. I mix between documentary styled images and fine art compositions. That’s why you may see some images that feel like a story while others feel like a printable piece of art!
So now you know “What” I capture, I think a big question is why? So I thought I would break it down for you…
Why do I capture labor images?
I get it, it’s hard, painful and sweaty. I rarely find moms feeling “pretty” during labor. But seriously who wants pretty when you can be goddess-like powerful? The fiercest force? And the creator of life! I mean, that’s what’s worth capturing! not just pretty but POWERFUL!
Labor images are about documenting your strength, the moments when it felt unbearable but you pushed through! Your endurance and beauty as you allow your body to do its incredible job! Even if you got an epidural, went without, had a cesarean or barely felt a thing, there is meaning and power telling the story of labor!
Labor is also all about the connection. I have never seen more real love practiced than while watching labor between two parents to be. But the reality is most birth mothers and partners completely miss these moments. They are in a complete haze of birth, focused on each wave as it rises and falls bringing them closer to meeting their baby.
These moments DESERVE birth photography. They are the pictures of selflessness and affection you want to have on those hard weeks postpartum. A way to remember the love that made that baby when you’re exhausted and ready to snap at any human adult in the room. Each dynamic is so unique and beautiful too; the partners who never let go of mom’s hand, the ones who sit quietly waiting to jump at the chance to help and of course the ones who literally support moms weight as she pushes through transition.
The story of labor would also not be complete without the photos of your birth team. Whether it's a doula, midwife, or family there to support you at home or an army of nurses ready to take your side; telling the story of the hands that helped assist you in your birth is so important.
They are often the unsung heroes of birth and while it's easy to forget the faces that may have helped you on your journey, one of my favorite parts of birth photography is being able to capture their presence for you. Remind you of the community that surrounded you into parenthood.
Why do I photograph details at a birth?
If I've learned anything about literature, it's that storytelling is so much more than a series of great characters. A good tale needs a descriptive picture of the world it's told in and a selection of perfectly chosen details to bring the reader right into that moment.
Capturing the details throughout a birth is so essential. They set the stage for your one-of-a-kind story. Were you birthing in your home or the hospital? was it in the middle of the night or was the sun streaming through the blinds? Capturing those details can jog your memory back to that day in a way other photos just can't.
When you look through your gallery you'll see pictures of everything from the ice chips you craved to the beautiful placenta that held your little one.
Oh and of course the baby details! It always blows me away how quickly babies change, they never are as tiny and fragile as in those first seconds, minutes or hours of life!
I love capturing each and every skin-to-skin detail at birth, every wrinkly hand, and cheesy back roll. Every pruney foot and molded head!
The details of how your baby was in those very first moments of life are something you will treasure forever
Why do I photograph the moment of birth?
Is there really a "why" question for this one? Maybe you aren't all about the crowning moment but you have to admit that this incredible moment when baby enters the world is nothing short of miraculous. The relief, the joy, the excitement, the power!
This is LIFE! .
The last push, the incredible catch and the lifting of baby up to mom’s chest. The moment baby goes from womb to world.
This is also that scary moment that so many think about when they consider choosing birth photography. But did you know that this moment can look a lot of different ways in birth photography?
Most people don’t know that there is a lot we can do to tailor this moment to your comfortability. I really understand, these moments are vulnerable, and while incredible can leave mom with mixed feelings thinking about this moment of power and exposure being photographed.
That’s why I offer multiple options for my expecting mommas. Being at different angles during the moment of birth can really adjust what is captured. For example; some moms want me to stay up near their head or by there side to capture the perspective looking down while others prefer me right at there foot but focused only on mom's first reaction. It's truthfully up to you!
And what about those first reactions?
They really are like nothing else. The full-on adrenaline response to life being born! The room gets filled with all of these intense endorphins and you can’t help but feel the joy of life!
The guttural exclamation and smile, the final moment of relief and emotional spill as you finally hold your baby in your arms!
It honestly looks so perfectly different for every mom as she lets go completely to feel all the craziness of that moment!
You probably won't ever forget this moment in your mind but having this moment captured will be so priceless to show you little one, one day. "This was the moment I fell in love with you in an instant."
Why do you stay 2 hours postpartum and capture it?
That precious first hour of bonding.
There really is nothing like that first hour with mom and baby. The skin-to-skin connection is not just warm and calming but also helps to regulate baby's systems postbirth and aid in their acclamation into the world outside the womb.
And as a photographer, there really is nothing like getting to capture that connection at its blossoming.
Looking at eachother, studying each line and spot! Baby finally meeting the person they have truly known their whole lives!
Then that second hour is filled with,
Men becoming dads right before my eyes!
That moment of dad-hood is really so incomparable, it usually starts out a bit awkward just for it to quickly be the most natural thing they have ever done. It is a powerful thing watching the love and affection of a partner throughout labor and the outpouring and protection and love as they hold their little one for the first time.
Same goes for repeat papas, they seriously can't wait to meet the next little person to change their life!
and of course,
Baby!
Last but not least I capture that perfect baby you just made! At every birth I get to capture not just the sweet baby faces but the first meetings, first exams and every first you can imagine!
How much did baby weigh? How long were they? You’ll have a visual memory of exactly who they were in those first hours.