4 Reasons I love photographing births

Birth is one of the most raw, intimate experiences a woman will go through in her life. There are no words to describe the moment a man and woman are instantly transformed into a family with the birth of their baby. I am always in awe of the couples who invite me to photograph such private moments. I love being on call and going to bed each night thinking, “Is tonight the night?”

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Over the past five years, I have photographed over 30 births. I have photographed hospital births (including a C-section), birth center births and home births. I have photographed small, private births with just mom, dad and midwife present and births that were like a party with friends, family and plenty of food.

Here are four reasons I love being a birth photographer:

1. Capturing moments between the mom and her support team.

Some women choose to have only their partner present…

Others choose to have an entire support team present.

2. Capturing the moment no mother ever forgets… but rarely gets to see.

No woman forgets the feeling of her baby being laid on her chest for the first time. But very few get to see the moment. With birth photography, I am able to forever capture that moment in time. There are no words to describe the moment a mother holds her baby in her arms for the first time.

3. Capturing first moments with extended family.

It’s not just mom and dad who become a new family. Grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles are all made as well. I love capturing the relationships in each family.

Odin, so very tiny in his grandfather’s hands.

Two big brothers seek comfort from their mom, as well as meet their little sister for the first time.

4. Capturing brand new baby parts.

Fingers and toes. Tiny baby feet. The swirl of ear, teeny tiny fingernails. I try to capture each little detail in the first hours after birth.

No matter how many births I attend, it never gets old. One thing I have found over the years is that parents never regret investing in birth photography. After all, babies only have one birth day.