Could You Be Your Own Birth Photographer? This Mum Thought So!

I’m currently 34 weeks pregnant with my second child.

Having already given birth once before, I’m pretty confident that this birth is going to be another empowering experience and I’m really looking forward to it.

My daughter’s birth was the most amazing experience!

I have never felt so loved and strong and invincible.

And what do I have to remember it all by?

Three shocking photos my husband took – with the flash on. The. Flash. On.

Isn’t that just what every woman wants straight after she’s given birth to a 9lb baby? A bright white light to illuminate the bags under her eyes. The bright red cheeks, after all that pushing.

I suppose I could make the photos black and white to hide some of that detail.

Well, maybe …. except all of the photos feature my nipples, so I’m not likely to post them on Facebook anyway.

My husband is great at a lot of things. He was a wonderful support during the birth, and he’s been an amazing dad to our daughter ever since. But he’s really rubbish at taking photos. Even with my fancy-pants camera, he can’t manage a decent snap. His shots are always out of focus, no matter how hard he tries.

For this birth, I want some photos I can treasure.  I will learn from my mistakes and move forward. There will be waterproof mascara in the birthing pool. There will be no flash!

There’s only one problem.  I can’t afford a birth photographer. While I would love nothing more than the breathtaking birth imagery you seen on online portfolios, sadly, this isn’t an option for me. Instead, I’ll be relying on my husband, my four year old, and perhaps even myself.

Could You Be Your Own Birth Photographer?

Being your own birth photographer sounds pretty impossible, but one mama recently proved it can be done. Lisa Robinson-Ward, a professional photographer from California, decided to put her skills to the test by capturing her own baby’s birth.

When Lisa gave birth to her daughter, Anora Wren Ward, in December last year, she knew she was best placed to take stunning birth photographs. Unsure whether she’d be able to concentrate on taking photos during labour, Lisa decided it might be a good way to keep her mind focused during the contractions.

The resulting photographs are beautiful. They capture Lisa’s unique view of labour.

We see the daunting hospital corridors, the hospital machinery, and the face of her husband as he supports her during labour.

Luckily, she didn’t miss out on all of the action. Her mother helped out by taking a few shots so that Lisa could star in the photographs too.

Lisa told the Huffington Post, “Part of me was worried that if I was taking photos, I was not going to really be there. But I was totally there. I was so present when she was coming out of me”.

The beautiful photographs even capture the first time her husband laid eyes on his daughter. He is crying, and the overwhelming love and joy are present on his face. It’s a gorgeous image that the couple will treasure forever.

Birth photography is a great way to record the details of the birth, although not many mamas choose to be behind the camera. But for those on a tight budget, with a husband as ‘gifted’ as mine, perhaps this is the perfect way to capture a few memories of the day.

Recommended Reading: If you’re thinking of having someone take photos during the birth, make sure they check out this article: How To Be An Amazing Birth Photographer.