Birth Photography is a Big Thing

Birth photography has become a thing. Photography in general, mind you has come a long way. We’re seeing beautiful canvasses on walls and photo books on shelves with collections of images of the family at say, their favourite beach or parent’s farm instead of what used to be posed, back drop cut outs tucked away in wallets.

People are catching on to the value of creating and capturing memories

That can be said also for birth photography. 

The final products are the most incredible keepsakes a family could ever have. It’ beautiful and real. It’s also thought-provoking and quite emotional for everyone involved: the subjects, photographer and even the viewer.

The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers just released the latest winners of its popular Image of the Year Contest.

The popular birth photographer’s association has over 1,248 member is 27 countries and is growing daily.

I’ve always thought birth photography was fascinating, especially since I interviewed our very own local lifestyle and birth photographer Ashley Marston for a feature on birth photography.

Marston won an honourable mention for her image of a local mother birthing in a pool in the previous year’s contest. Her Facebook and Instagram feeds are full of beautiful photos of families welcoming their children to the world.

And that also goes for another local birth photographer, Kim Kitchen of Twiggy Photography.

Birthing itself is fascinating.

Speaking from my own experience, giving birth is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The pain is extremely hard to describe and all the other emotions too as baby works its way into this world. But they can be captured.

Birthing itself is fascinating.

What’s interesting is the unknown, unpredictability, the raw beauty, emotion captured and pain endured. And you can feel the emotion in images with tears streaming, fists and jaws clenching and baby’s first breath or first time setting eyes on mom and dad.

Having those images forever is amazing. 

Imagine looking back and shedding a tear every year when you pull out the book you created with pictures from the day your child was born.

But I’ve heard some concerns shared about birth photography.

Would you allow it to be shared on social media?

You don’t have to.

How would you feel if something was to go sideways with your birth?

Have a discussion with your photographer beforehand.

How would you feel having someone being in the room taking photos while you’re in incredible pain?

Most birth photographers make it part of their practice to be as quiet and undisruptive as possible. It’s a personal choice.

And it can be quite pricey, is it affordable?

Unfortunately, it’s not in everyone’s budgets, but it’s hard to put a value on birth photography.

Click here to view this year’s winning images as part of the IAPBP.