I wish…I had known about birth photography four years ago when my last child was born.
I wish…someone had warned me that between all the nerves, excitement, pain, exhaustion, and exuberant joy, that the entire experience would become a blur.
I wish…someone had told me that I probably wouldn’t remember my daughter’s first cry or the first time I held her.
I wish…someone had mentioned that I definitely wouldn’t remember the expression on my husband’s face when he saw her for the first time.
Oh my sweet hubs. He tried! But I mean, c’mon! I have one image of her while she was in that other room, and this is it.
I can kind of still remember the pain…I’m not even gonna lie! But I don’t know how I looked as I powered through each contraction. I don’t remember what I did to prepare myself for the next one. Was I standing or laying down? Did I grab onto something or squeeze my husband’s hand? Did I internalize the pain or make that primal moan that birthing mothers sometimes make?
I don’t remember any of the conversation or funny moments I had with my husband that day. I don’t remember the look on his face while I was pushing or when she came out. I have NO idea what I looked like when that 9lb 6oz baby came out after 18 hours of labor (but who’s counting) and an hour of pushing. Did we laugh? Did we both cry? No clue. Was I exhausted or elated? Probably both?
This is the one image my husband took of me holding my baby girl. I wish there were more. 🙁
I don’t remember my daughter’s first cry. I don’t really remember the first time I held her. And afterwards, while I was getting cleaned up, my husband followed the nurses into another room where my daughter was weighed, measured, had foot prints taken, etc. I missed all of it and he wasn’t thinking to take pictures.
I don’t remember my midwife’s name or any of the nurses…or nursing students for that matter (it was a full house in our room that day, that much I remember!).
I don’t know who visited us first, what their expressions were like when they walked in and saw her or when they held her for the first time. And…I don’t remember the look on my older daughter’s face when she saw her baby sister for the first time. This one breaks my heart the most.
I don’t have photos that captured any of those moments, and those memories aren’t coming back. Every once in a while, I’ll tell my daughters what I do remember of their birth stories, and doing that keeps those memories somewhat fresh. But I desperately wish I knew what a birth photographer was back then and had hired her to capture those moments. I would have wanted her there to tell the story of the day my life changed forever. The day I became a mom.
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How do you want to remember your birth story? With blurry, grainy, low resolution images that your spouse took on their phone when he remembered to amid all the chaos of the day? Or with professional, stunning, hand-edited images that you can print in album to have and hold forever? Don’t make the same mistake I did. Hire a birth photographer and invest in your family’s memories.
I wish I had shots of my kids’ births and later visits. I’m like you, though. I don’t have any from that time. Back then, birth photography wasn’t really even on the radar.
Exactly! I think birth photography is slowing becoming more popular though…hopefully!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! This is not the side of the story most people tell, and I think it’s important you did.
Thank you!
such a great story. i don’t have kids so can’t really relate to the feeling of being a mm, but am sure capturing it on film would be great.
I think it’s something that doesn’t pop up on many first time mother’s radar. But please consider it when it’s your time!
This is something I regret. I had my daughter when I was young and not interested in taking many photos and now that shes older I wish I had more of them. Great post!
There will never be enough photos of our kids, will there? But I do wish I had more photos of their first day ever.
I wish I had hired a professional too. My husband took most of mine and while they aren’t awful, they aren’t the beautiful memories I would have liked to have.
I want to print out these responses to show potential clients!
This is one of the most memorable and life-changing moments in a mom and dad’s life. Such a beautiful way to capture it! I didn’t have a birth photographer and I wish I had but, I still remember it so vividly.
I couldn’t agree more. Thank you!
What a beautiful moment to photograph! Your art is amazing!
Thank you!
Wow; I wish this was around when I was having my children! You are creating such a treasured keepsake for your clients! Beautiful photos!
Right? I mean, I’m sure it was around when I was having my own kids…but I didn’t know enough about it.
Aww such cute pictures. This is one of the precious moment that everyone loves to remember.
Thank you!
I will definitely keep this in mind for when my time comes. Thank you for sharing your story.
Oh, I hope you do! I think you’ll only regret NOT doing it.
Such great insight. Some of these things you just don’t think about when you’re ready to give birth! A birth photographer is such a great idea!
Right? I know I definitely didn’t think of it!
I know I didn’t! So many don’t…but I wish more would. I’ll just have to keep spreading the word!
a birth photographer is a great idea! I had people with me taking photos and i remember all 36 hours of my birth experience, so for me, the memories are more intact
36 hours. You go mama!
I don’t have a lot of great photos from my wedding or when the kids were born, but I cherish the memories. I don’t think there are too many occasions where we look back through the photos, and we make do with what I have. It would have been nice to have a birth photographer.
Maybe it’s because I have young kids, but we love to go through photo albums. The girls are always asking questions and pointing people out. It of course would be a bit different with birth photos…but the photos I’m interested in aren’t the graphic shots anyways, but more the emotional ones.
I wish this was around when I had my son…I think it’s such a wonderful way to remember and keep the memories…so beautiful!
Right? Me too! Thank you!
It seems like it would be a nice idea to have photographer on hand. But then again I am not to sure. I would rather the glam shoot be done after. I don’t have kids yet but the idea of a photographer being their in that moment seems a bit much and I would need a day to get myself together after labor. I hear the pain is insane and I don’t do pain well, ugh!!!!
It’s definitely not for everyone! I can tell you though from experience and conversations with friends, that modesty goes out the window while in labor/giving birth. So the thought of having a "stranger snapping pictures" isn’t as big a deal the day of as you might imagine it beforehand!
I don’t have children myself, but will share this post with a few of my friends who do. I am sure they’ll find it very useful if they are considering birth photography x
You definitely should!! I encourage everyone to at least consider birth photography!
I’ve had a few friends who have gotten birth photos. I simply enjoy the memories of my experiences and I still remember some details. Follow that by 1,000 other precious memories that come out of being a mom. I feel blessed. I’m glad you can serve others in this way, sounds like a calling!
Thanks Katie, it definitely is my calling. I have been taking pictures for years, but after my first birth, I KNEW that’s what I wanted to capture for as long as I can. It’s so beautiful!
Interesting to learn about birth photography! When I had my kids, I did not even think about taking pictures but it certainly is a great idea!
Thanks Norma! It’s a wonderful moment that I get to capture!
I wish there was a birth photographer back then when I gave birth to my two children. It will be great to have a memoir of every little detail.
Right? Me too…and my kids are not that old! Just goes to show you how up and coming this genre is!
Yes! I think birth photography is SO worth it. It’s a moment that you will NEVER get back and you’re so concerned with everything going on around you that you’ll forget to stop and cherish the moments, so I love this!
Yes Ashley YESSSS!
I think it would be a good idea to have a photographer to capture the precious moment. I will definitely share this post with my friends who are expecting.
Thank you Sue! Just as I mentioned above, I hope that more Moms will consider it just as they would a wedding photographer.
I don’t have kids but this nice to know! Will def share with some of my friends and sisters!
Please do! I hope that more Moms will consider it just as they would a wedding photographer.
Birth photography can be so beautiful and looking back it’s lovely to have the memories, but its something I personally wouldn’t choose. I think it is also a very private and intimate moment…I’m on the fence about it but I think some of the photos are just stunning!
Yes, it’s a very personal choice! And it’s also a very private and intimate moment. Most of my clients get an album printed that they can flip through when they are feeling nostalgic. They allow me to post these moments because they believe it just as much natural as it is private, and because they are so proud of what their bodies have done. And they allow me to post them because they want more moms to have these memories too!
I don’t think most mums would think to record the birth of their child until after he/she is born then they wish they had. It is such an emotional time and you want to remember the moment and cherish it
100%! I definitely didn’t think of it until after the fact…and I know I’m not alone! I love that this is a growing genre in photography because it means more moms won’t be in the same boat as me! <3
I do recommend getting a photographer to document the day of birth, not sure about actually having them there at the time of birth, however.
XO, MJ
https://www.lush-fab-glam.com
It’s definitely a matter of personal choice. I will say, there is nothing that comes close to the moment I get to capture of a mother meeting her baby for the first time. It’s a priceless moment you want to remember, like your first kiss at your wedding. 🙂
I’ve never really thought about this before. I do wish however that I had MORE pictures of my boys before and after they were born.
i never wanted anyone to take my photos when i was giving birth , i think this is such an intimate moment i would feel awkward , but i know others do it and some of the photos are so full of emotions
I wish I had been brave enough for someone to photograph my births, it would be lovely to have those memories