Lens Buying Guide
Use these prompts to help you decide what your next lens choice should be! Pop in your details below to download the free guide! Xx
A Complete Guide to Birth Photography
A Complete Guide to Birth Photography
Birth photography… As a mama, it makes perfect sense to me to photograph one of the most important days of my life. If I could only go back in time to do it!
Sadly, baby birth photos were barely a photography genre back when I gave birth to my little ones. As photo sessions go, birth photo sessions present unique challenges that quite possibly frighten off even an experienced photographer.
Click Love Grow graduate Alana Prosper is a veteran of the birth process herself (from both sides of the camera!). She also rocks this very special documentary style whenever she attends a childbirth as the photographer. So we asked her to give us an insight into what to expect when photographing a new life appearing. So follow us till the end to see all of Alana’s birth photography tips!
The challenges associated with birth photography dictate that you absolutely need to be shooting in manual mode to nail it. So if you’re used to shooting in auto, just take a leap of faith and learn how to master your DSLR!
Related: How To Shoot in Manual Mode
Birth Photography… A Story
Birth photography is often misunderstood.
I think people immediately imagine the graphic aspects, or feel that birth is too personal to have someone in there who is not a loved one.
But birth photo sessions are so much more than the actual photos from the moment of physical birth. In fact, no graphic needs to be featured… you’re capturing the complete story of birth.
Related: Storytelling Photography
What to Photograph
The first thing to do is ask your couple if they have any specific photos they would like to be made or not and what they consider to be the most worth remembering. Also, it’s important to ask them how they want the second stage of active labour to be captured.
By that, I mean you should know if they specifically want you to capture the baby crowning. The alternative is shooting at the other end, from behind the mother’s shoulders. This is a great perspective to capture their baby being lifted up towards them.
There is no posing during a birth. Birth photography is the ultimate in documentary storytelling, and there are so many aspects you can capture.
It’s all about the small details, and emotions, the pained expressions, the laughter between contractions, the emotional text messages received. The supportive partner, the shoulder massages, holding hands and leaning on each other for support.
Make a List
Birth is raw, beautiful and moving for anyone not just for the parents. So you’d be mistaken if you got in there and forgot all of the things you should catch on camera.
That’s why, when preparing for a birth photography sessions is better to make a plan and list of things to look for with a goal of telling the birth story:
- The birth space and its details that relate to labour and birth, even the room number (assuming it’s a birth center and not a home birth).
- Ambient’s colors
- The type of birth (will it be a natural birth, caesarian or maybe you will need to prepare for water birth photography)
- Wide scenes are important as these are the shots that tie all the detail shots together to tell the story.
- Emotions… birth is a melting pot of emotions from one spectrum to the other. First moments before and after encountering the baby are filled with nervousness, excitement, fear, tears, intense pain, love and relief.
- The relationship between the mother and her partner. Capture this through the jokes and laughter, cuddles and kisses, hand holding, and massages.
- The transition between moods as things become more serious.
- The sequence of small events and circumstances which are often missed or forgotten in the hours leading up to birth, eg. staff taking observations
- Not to be missed is the magical moment when the baby is lifted out and breathes air for the first time. Parents only get that moment once, so be ready for the right time. Think of it as the first kiss of birth photography.
- Speaking of firsts… first cuddles and kisses (and usually tears) with the baby.
- Get in close as they hold their baby’s tiny hand, breathe in their fresh newborn smell, first skin to skin contact.
- Wrist bands, baby books, first outfit, baby being weighed, checked, wrapped and changed.
- Cuddles with daddy, and perhaps meeting the grandparents or siblings.
- A series of both parents meeting and holding their baby.
- Try to include the clock in the shot when possible, as it helps convey the sequence of events.
It’s often a long day (or night!). There are times when nothing is happening, and there’s nothing specific to capture. During those down times take the opportunity to take some wide shots. Also try stepping out of the room and shoot looking in, it’s a great way to convey a sense of intimacy.
There is a lot of time where you’re not shooting at all, and that’s okay. Don’t feel like you always need to be taking a photo. Bonding with the parents is an important part of the birth photography shooting process, as it helps them to be completely comfortable with you.
So allow yourself to just sit and chat, and even be quiet together. During down times, I’ll ask them if they want any alone time for a bit.
Challenges of Birth Photography
Light
I doubt any other genre of photography is more light challenged than birth photography.
Generally speaking, a birthing room is purposefully kept in low light. So you really have no control over the quantity or quality of light. Sometimes you can’t even control where you position yourself in relation to the light.
For that reason, using high ISO is inevitable, and a nice wide open aperture to bring in more light.
I move around as much as possible (without getting in the way). I also take shots from as many different perspectives as I can, to make the most of the available light.
During the actual birth they might turn off the overhead room lights, and bring in one powerful spotlight. This obviously reduces the ambient light even further, and changes the quality altogether. When that happens, I try not to add too much light into my settings, as I don’t want to completely blow the highlights. Bear in mind however it’s impossible to avoid blowing all of them, so don’t be too hard on yourself!
Related: Low Light Photography Tips
Space
The rooms can be small, with limited spots you can move without being in the way of staff. For this reason, when doing hospital birth photography a wide lens is ideal. Especially when you take your wide shots, which are essential to tell a story.
Cesarean Delivery
Birth is unpredictable, and may not go as planned. This can mean waiting at the hospital for a long time, only for it to turn into an emergency c-section. You may not be allowed in theater, but if that’s the case, it’s not over yet!
If that occurs, wait around until mum comes out of recovery. You’ll be able to capture photos of her first breastfeed and proper cuddles.
I have been lucky to capture a cesarean delivery in theater, however some hospitals or doctors don’t allow this. However, I can happily say it is slowly becoming more common!
If you’ve been booked to photograph a planned cesarean, obviously some aspects will differ from a natural delivery. Discover all you need to know, including a whole lot of inspiration, in this post we prepared earlier!
Related: Capturing a Cesarean Birth
Your Welfare During Birth Photography
Taking childbirth pictures is no regular family session… hours can be long and unpredictable and there is often a lot of waiting. You may not get an opportunity to go home for food or a shower, particularly if you’re far from home.
So my tip is to pack a bag filled with snacks, spare clothes, deodorant, phone charger, magazines etc.
The parents can be very concerned about your welfare as their birth photographer, especially if you’ve been there for a long time. So I make it a priority to ensure they don’t worry about me or how long I’m there.
I reassure them I’m organised… I have supplies to sustain me and entertain me when needed, and everything is sorted for me at home. I’m totally theirs for however long it takes.
Birth Photography Gear
I have a Nikon D750 which is a full frame camera. Given the low light that goes hand in hand with birth photography, a full frame camera is essential because it copes really well with high ISO. For that reason, you will struggle if you use a crop sensor camera.
At the moment my widest lens is a 50mm and on the whole it does the job. However, my ideal lens for birth photography would be a 35mm. Most delivery rooms are small and sometimes I feel I need to climb into the wall to get a wide shot!
I don’t use flash when doing birth photo sessions , because it would distract the staff, the parents, and potentially startle the baby or hurt his/her eyes.
CLICK HERE to download our lens buying guide to help you decide what's your next best purchase!
Camera Settings
The low light means you’ll need wide open apertures to capture as much of the ambient light as possible. It also adds to birth photography’s documentary feel, and helps isolate details and moments in a cluttered space.
My aperture tends to stay around f/2.8, shutter speed at 1/250 or faster. Then I use my ISO to balance my exposure if the light changes.
Medical Staff
In the lead up to the birth, ensure the parents check with the hospital and their doctor/midwife/doula that they allow a professional birth photographer.
When I first arrive, I introduce myself to the staff and tell them the parents have booked me to photograph their birth. I will do this again if the staff handover occurs whilst I’m there because the rostered midwives may not be aware of my presence.
I reassure them I will not get in their way, by explaining it will be entirely unposed, without interrupting the natural flow and order of the process. I also want them to know they don’t need to worry about getting in my shot…. the priority is in fact me ensuring I don’t get in their way. To that end, I also ask them to feel free to move me at any time during the birth.
What Not To Do
During a birth photography session, shoot from wherever you can. Just make sure that you avoid getting in the way of any of the staff. Conversely, if they direct you to shoot from only one little corner of the room, then make that corner work!
You may be asked not to take images of any of the medical equipment that records data.
The Logistics Of Birth Photography
The nature of birth photography means you can’t rely on a specific date, so you’re on call! So if you have small people depending on you, you need support in order to offer birth photography.
I have a back up photographer in case I can’t attend a birth due to illness or any other reason. This has made me much happier to offer birth photography, as I was always worried about someone missing out on their birth story if I was sick.
Presenting The Images
I like to provide a slideshow of the images set to music. It’s a really powerful way to bring your images to life and convey the emotion of birth.
What Next?
The natural next photographic project after a birth photography session is a newborn session!! Yaay!
Looking for ideas already? Check out our blogs on 101 Lifestyle Newborn Photo Ideas and 7 Tips for Gorgeous Motherhood Photo Sessions.
Related:
Lifestyle Newborn Photography Guide
Toddler & Newborn Photography Guide
Grab our Newborn & Toddler
Posing & Prompts Cheatsheet
Download our handy cheatsheet for a summary of tips you can print out and use when photographing newborns and toddlers together
Alana is a family photographer based in Perth, Western Australia. If you’d like to contact her or check out more of her work, you can find her at Alana Prosper Photography.
Join my new workshop and learn how to shoot pro-quality photos with your digital camera… and it’s totally FREE to join! Register here…
If you’re ready for the next steps in your photography, to level up your creative artistry, develop the skills to shoot with confidence in any scenario, and discover your style… our Advanced Photography Course was made for you! Click HERE to get more info and join the waitlist!
Leave a Reply
PRIVACY POLICY & SITE TERMS AND CONDITONS
CLICK LOVE GROW ™ Pty Ltd - COPYRIGHT 2024 ©
x
Join Now
Enter your info below to join the challenge!
Want a friendly reminder when I go live?
Pop in your number and I’ll shoot you a text.
* We will send text reminders for our live calls during the challenge! Reply ‘STOP’ to end or ‘HELP’ for help.
We promise not to ever share your details with anyone or send you spam! Check our privacy policy and terms of service.
[…] do not budget for very costly cameras and other studio devices. For instance, if your niche is birth photography, buy camera equipment that can help you to get […]