Six reasons to hire a birth photographer (Exeter, Devon)

Birth Photographer, Exeter

You may be one of these people that look at the title and say: „I can’t think of one single reason… So, bring it on, convince me lady.”

Happy to help. Let’s start 🙂

I am Aga, an Exeter based birth photographer offering this unique service to new parents in the area.

Birth photography is a rather new trend in photography and the reasons for its growing popularity is probably due to the improvements in the way women deliver their babies nowadays. Last several years have seen the development of HypnoBirthing as a proven method of managing pain during labour and focusing on multilevel wellbeing. More pressure is being placed on psychological, emotional and physical wellbeing of all birth 'participants’ (mums, dads and babies). We are starting to think of birth differently hence we are more and more keen to remember it better (i.e. have photographic evidence of it).

But why?

Whenever I tell anyone that I offer birth photography I still get weird looks and totally shocked reactions. Why would anyone want any photographic evidence of one of the greatest ordeals a human body can go through? Why would you go back to the very images that remind you of the incredible pain and exhaustion your body went through in other to push a little human out?

If you think of birth as an ordeal, a trauma and something that you wish to quickly forget about then birth photography is probably not for you (I still am a firm believer that in a few years time you may change your mind about it and regret it). However, if you think of birth as a new begining, a milestone, a life changing event – then read on.

More gain than pain.

I am generally a whimp when it comes to pain tollerance. I moan whenever I feel the slightest ailment and two births of my children have tested me profoundly in this area. I did not know that pain like this existed and I did not expect myself to survive it.  Neither did I know that there is this amazing undescribable love and instant fear you feel for your fresh new baby. The pain was unquestionably immense but the gain totally outweighed it and I am a proud mum of two perfectly imperfect kids who rule my world.

So why is it best to leave photographing to a professional?

1. You and your partner can focus 100% on you and the birth

I can’t imagine any parents-to-be going into the labour ward without at least a phone or a compact camera. You surely want to take a few snapsto share with friends and family. But partners should be in the photos, not taking the photos. One of my last clients, just mere seconds after giving birth asked her partner to grab a phone and take a picture – I grabbed a phone instead and said: „Don’t worry. I’ll do it”. It’s their phone and they want it captured so that they can go back to look and I completely get it. That’s why you have me there. I will be taking photos with my camera but if you wish I can also grab a few snaps with your phone too. Your focus should be 100% on you, the baby and this monumental experience. I will take care of the rest so that you don’t need to.

2. Your photos will be professional (i.e. sharp, well lit and beautifully framed).

I am a photographer and I feel I can say confidently that I know how to capture things nicely. But whenever I am in a hurry or really excited my photos look as if my four year was taking pictures whilst going down the slide. It happens and especially phone cameras can sometimes fail to work in challenging conditions (e.g. in low light).  That’s why you have me. With a steady hand, with all the skills, knowledge and equipment needed to take a photo in the ambient conditions you are birthing in. I will take multiple  images to select the best ones later on so you know that no important moment will be missed. The  entire journey through contractions, moments of weaknes and joyful arrival of your little bundle of joy, the first look, tears of joy – I will be looking out for these to capture them for you.

3. You will see your experience from a different perspective

The mums that I photographed so far have said that they even didn’t notice that I was there. Not because I was a Ninja or because I hid well but because their whole attention was chanelled towards delivering the baby. Mums often don’t realise what is going on, who is around, what is being said etc – again because their brains choose to focus all the energy on one task at a time. Looking at the images captured from another person’s perspective gives you a fuller more objective outlook on what actually went on.

Birth story photo shoot tells the WHOLE story. Capturing details of the room that you were in, the faces of people who were supporting you through the journey, little funny moments that you were unaware of (like for instance dad changing his fantasy football league settings whilst you were inhaling gas and air, shoulder deep in the pool). These moments would have been lost forever otherwise.

4. Your memories will be saved from fading

Our brain is a tremendous organ with powers that exceed our understanding of it. But brain sheds memories, facts and details that it no longer considers important. You will remember going into labour, having a baby, maybe crying, maybe laughing but majority of the details that make up the experience will be lost. Forever.

Having images to look through will be feeding your memory and nurturing the memories. Every time you look at the images you will be taken back to this day. I can bet that at some point your recollection of birth will be predominately positive. All the tough bits will become somehow less vivid and the joy, love and overwhelming sense of achievement will stay with you. It will be amazing to have images to reinforce this great feeling.

5. It’s a birth story, not a gore story

It is a story of your baby’s arrival into this world and of your transformation into a parent and it surely is a happy one. The images that I will be taking will not be used for future midwives training as a visual representation of stages of labour. Hell, no.  Especially that most mums request that their private parts are not exposed in the images and baby’s arrival is captured in a delicate and tasteful way. My aim will be to show the beauty of birth, not the dark side of it.

I have given birth. I have gone through every single stage of this, twice. I can sympathise with you and get in your shoes, respecting your decision to have some things captured and others left out.

Have a look at this complete story of baby Noah here to get a better idea of what things are captured and how

6. It’s JUST for you and your family.

Emotions. You. Your Baby. Your Family.  This is what it is all about.

All images delivered to you will be tasteful, respectful, emotive and most of all true to your personal story.

Due to the extremely personal and delicate nature of these images you will be given the option to keep your gallery completely private. No one will see them unless you give explicit permission. If you decide to allow me to share any images you will have control over what and where is shared.

What is more, these images are not for now. When your baby arrives and you take them home you will want to focus on them. On the present, on recovering and gathering your energy for upcoming months of running around after an energetic toddler. Looking at the birth photos when you are still in recovery may not be the most relaxing pastime.

Well, give it a few months or a few years. I can guarantee that whenever you look back at them you will be unable to withold your emotions. I speak based on my personal experience – I can never look back at my birth photos without a fountain of tears (happy tears of course).

Why hire me?

I am absolutely obsessed with making my clients happy. I want each one to look back at their images and relive their happy moments.

Before you decide to invite me to be a part of this incredible experience I will meet you face to face. We will chat about your ideas, your hopes, fears, wishes and anything else you want me to know about. I will be with you as much as you allow me to – if you want me to be invisible – I will. If you want me to offer you support and tell you jokes  to take your mind off a bit – I will. If you want me to hold your hand and rub your back – I will. We will be 'calling the shots’ together.

Your wishes will be my exclusive guidelines.

As I previously said, I have gone through natural birth twice myself. I can relate to all the feelings that you may be experiencing – excitement, worry, joy, fear and I will be totally sympathetic of them. Even if you end up having a c-section and hospital staff allow me in the room, you will have the same photographic memories to treasure.

I have experience in reportage (lifestyle) photography and a keen eye for details that make your story complete. I also have a tasteful, feminine and emotive style.

As they say, it is better to do and regret doing then not to do and regret not doing (you know what I mean).

At the end of the day, if you find the images too much at first just leave them to mature and come back to them on your baby’s first birthday.

How does that sound?

Are you ready?

If you want to meet me in person to get to know me better before you trust me, just drop me a line.

Let’s give your baby the gift of beautiful memories