Birth photography?

**Freya** · September 22nd, 2011, 08:38 PM

Do you think there is a niche for birth photography?

Its something thats been on my mind for awhile, becoming a birth photographer. Ofcourse it all comes down to whether my photog skills are up to par and if there is a niche for it where I live but I thought Id ask everyone's thoughts on whether its worth pursuing or not?

Obviously not always full frontal birth shots, for those who are a little more reserved just candid shots of those special moments when you welcome a child into the world.

I always wished Id hired a professional to photograph my births, and will try and do so for the next bub, but never really came across any photographers who advertised for this particular need.

Thanks!

**NaeNae** · September 22nd, 2011, 08:44 PM

I am not sure if there would be a lot of demand but its something I had thought I might like at a birth ... then I remembered that Nae in pain = cursing swearing vicious monster

I do know the middies at my hospital had some very dated well documented birthing photo's and seriously for some of the shots I have no idea how the mother coped being photographed during her birth.

I love the idea but think it would take a very special person (you) and a very good/trusting/unaggressive client .

x Nae x

**Aussiegirl777** · September 22nd, 2011, 08:46 PM

This is something I was very interested in. I wanted to get some candid shots in labour as well as shots of DS as soon as he was born. DP was not so keen though. He said he felt weird having a stranger in the room with us. I do know (quite well) a photographer in my town who I lined up to take the pics but because DP still hadn't come around by the time we got to hospital we didn't call her. She ended up coming when DS was 3 hours old and we still got some great shots but not what I really would have liked.

One thing though is you would have to be prepared to go out at all hours, which our girl was happy to do. She said it had to be approved by our OB so that Maternity would let her in at 1am etc. My OB thought it was a lovely idea and had no problems - I still feel a little disapointed that I didn't get to do it.

**Maruschke** · September 22nd, 2011, 09:33 PM

Yeah I would get some done if I felt comfortable enough with you. Actually, I'd like it in three stages, some tasteful nude preggo shots, some birth shots, and some newborn shots. Nothing like HERE IS YOUR LABIA though. Just natural.

**Lolpigs** · September 23rd, 2011, 08:02 AM

There seems to be a demand for it. The SAN where I'm booked in has a photographer on the books that you can organise just by asking the midwives.

**boomba** · September 23rd, 2011, 08:27 AM

I want birth photography at my next birth I only wish I had it for both my sons!

**Elocin** · September 23rd, 2011, 08:45 AM

Nothing like HERE IS YOUR LABIA though.

I would love a photographer at the birth. I'm not sure if DH would, we've never discussed it because I don't know anyone who would do it for me.

I don't know if the hospital I'm going to has any services like this, there's nothing mentioned in the paperwork I've seen so far.

**skybie** · September 23rd, 2011, 09:00 AM

i want a photographer for this birth, mostly for those first few moments after birth, to always remember that feeling

**~*Niadalla*~** · September 23rd, 2011, 09:05 AM

I have a friend who has started this recently.
I think had I gone back for #3, I probably would have done it.

**Beautitude** · September 23rd, 2011, 09:33 AM

Birth photography is something I'd like to get into. I can't think of anything more amazing than photographing a birth.

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**Heaven** · September 23rd, 2011, 09:42 AM

Yes! I wish I'd had it and I would like to do it too.
Check out this one, she's amazing!
(commercial link removed)

**~Raven~** · September 23rd, 2011, 10:28 AM

There is a demand for it but you need to be very flexible. Much like a doula I imagine

Ideally if you could support the family with your photography and your DH could quit his job then it would be brilliant. You would need to set a price to enable you to be able to do this and also not have to over extend yourself to make enough money though.
If DH still needs to work to supplement the income you make, then he needs to have a job that is flexible or you need to have good reliable childcare options. I didn't have good reliable childcare options which is one reason why I quit. The other reason is watching Poko ATM

It is exhausting but very fulfilling.

PM me if you want to chat about stuff.

**boomba** · September 23rd, 2011, 10:33 AM

I started a thread like this a few years back with this same topic! If you want to see the blog just PM me! She has some of the most AMAZING pictures! *Warning there is some still birth photos *

Heaven I am already having you at mine :P

**Heaven** · September 23rd, 2011, 12:33 PM

boomba- Deal. And you can be my Doula.

**Cassius2** · September 23rd, 2011, 01:42 PM

I wanted a birth photographer at our last birth...my second midwife is also a photographer so we got some lovely shots, but of course, being one of my midwives she was a tad busy and we didnt get as many action shots as i would of hoped.

so yep, definitely reckon it would be cool!