Birth Photography: Would You, Could You? {Bellingham Birth Photographer}

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when birth photography is mentioned? Is it “ew, yuck!” or “I wish I had photos of my baby’s births“?

Several articles have been written recently on the topic of birth photography and unfortunately, not all in a good light. I have been photographing births for over a year now, and I can truly say I am passionate about birth photography.

I am also a proud member of the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers, a group of photographers just as passionate as I am about birth photography.

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Birth is a sacred event…and those first moments of your baby’s life can never be relived…but with birth photography they can be remembered and remembered beautifully.

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Before I photograph a birth I meet with my clients to get to know them a bit. As we chat I find out just what shots are important to them. For some moms, it’s their partner’s reaction…to some it’s the moments just after birth. Some moms and dads want ever detail captured.

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At every birth I try to be the proverbial fly on the wall. I stay in the background.

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I capture the moments.

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The details.

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The relationships.

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Sure, dad can take some photos too…but not of himself at the birth.

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Or what about the view from mom’s bed?

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Or the moment she finally meets her little one for the first time?

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Or the moments mom misses while the doctors look over her little one?

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And c-sections? Those moments deserve to be captured as well.

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Every birth is a miracle and I try to preserve a small part of that miracle for each family I work with.

 

 

Isaiah {Bellingham Birth Photographer}

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If you haven't already, head over to Little Earthling Photography to see photos of Isaiah's birth. This is the sixth birth I've photographed and I am awed at every. single. one. Whether a mom goes all natural or has an epidural, whether at home, the hospital or our local Birth Center (I've photographed at all three) it is an incredible miraculous event. It is absolutely unbelievable when one person suddenly becomes two.

Isaiah's birth was awesome, attended by his big sister who was celebrating her 12th birthday. What a gift! Ruth made giving birth look as easy and natural as taking a walk, or hanging out with friends. I have come to admire every woman whose birth I've photographed.

And while I'm gushing about women and birth, I must give kudos to the nurses and doctors at our local hospital, St. Joseph's. They have been so kind and helpful to me, the photographer. While hospitals all over are giving the boot to birth photography (for liability reasons) ours has always welcomed me, letting me photograph everything.

And then there is this email I got from Adalia last night:

Hey mom, can I take this class???? I can cover the cost, and it would count for ongoing ed.

The class? Placenta Encapsulation!

 

Baby Stuff

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Hezekiah, circa 2006

Today I bring to you Old Photos of My Children. Because they're just so darn cute. Some of you might actually recognize some of these little faces if you've been around this blog since the beginning.

I have two more births lined up to photograph this month and I am so excited. One is a  hospital birth and the other a homebirth. I've had five homebirths myself, but this will a first for me to photograph and I can't wait! The family is all ready and the two older sisters will be present. I photographed the youngest girl as a newborn and can't wait to meet her little brother or sister. 

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Avi, circa 2007

And speaking of births, the mom of the very first newborn I ever photographed is due agian in January. This will her third baby that I take newborn photos of! I always feel so honored when families invite me to photograph their births and their babies.

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Tucker, circa 2007

And what better time to celebrate new babies than the season when we celebrate the birth of Christ! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.