Birth Photos Behind Felecia's Camera






I was inspired to do birth photo sessions last year. It was something I knew was not a big demand, here in Montgomery, but I just took the chance and start doing it.



When women give birth there are so many emotions going on. They are excited, nervous, and filled with joy. They are so caught up in the then, until they don't even think about the memories they would like to have after. Is investing in birth photography worth it? Honestly not just from a photographer view, but as a mother stand point, it is one of the best investment or gifts you can give to yourself.  
 Although I have two kids of my own, I never experienced a vaginal birth with either of them.  (I was so nervous about having surgery that I really never thought about birth photography, but thanks to their father, they will have awesome photos to view when they get older of their birth. I didn’t realize how much I appreciated that moment until after I did their scrap books. I realize that I was so exhausted to remember that moment or I wasn’t able to see that first moment of life that my baby had because I was on the operating table.)


As I embarked on this new art of photography I realized that a lot of people are just not familiar with it.   Two things people would be so concerned about is allowing a stranger other than the nurses and doctors to be in the room, and will their privacy be compromised. Every photographer is different. My approach on birth sessions are to be in spots where I can capture the mom pushing, the child’s father or her mother holding her hand, the moment the baby body has been delivered, or the moment when she hear her baby’s first cry and she shed a tear. There is no one there thinking about capturing any of those moments, because everyone is either nervous or excited to see the baby be born. 

  
 Many hospitals that I have visited in Montgomery, Al are very strict in not allowing any photographs or videoing down at a women’s bottom during labor. I do understand why they have set this rule ( many do not follow it), but I really think that it should be totally up to the mother. There is also another strict rule is the amount of people allowed in the room, during delivery. I totally agree. The rooms are not to big to hold a whole room full of family members, nurses, a doctor, and a photographer.

I will say all these women allowing me to share this special moment in their life with them have given me so much joy. I could be doing so many things and catching up on so much sleep, but the moment when I received a call from one of the moms to be I felt so much energy and excitement. I wouldn't have changed to be do anything else and I loved it.






Moms to be who plan on having a birth photographer in your room, with you, even if it is me or another photographer, the best advice I can give you is be sure to limit the number of people you have in the delivery room. I understand everyone wants to share that moment with you when the baby is born, but please be aware that a photographer needs just a little space. If the whole bedside is full of nurses and family members, the photographer will not be able to capture the photos. When a photographer enters your room to do your photos, they don’t want to come in dealing with a confrontation with your family members because someone doesn’t understand it is crowded or someone has to leave due to the max number of people allowed in the room. You need to make sure you have great communication with the person doing your session. You need to see when they need to be notified and have someone who can contact the photographer in case you are not up for it. If you plan to do a few family pictures or parents’ intimate moments after your child's birth and you get all cleaned up, please make that family members are aware, that you all will be doing photos after birth and need a few minutes of quality time. When family and friends runs in the room after birth it becomes busy in there and if you are on a time frame with your photographer, always keep in mind that time is money.  The most important advice of all is act natural and act like the photographer is not even there.







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