5 Tips For Photographing a Baby's Birth

When you think about your child's first photograph, chances are she was just a few moments old and either in your arms or on a scale in the delivery room. But what if you had a photo — a professional one at that — of the moment she entered the world? Birth photography — as the trend is being called — is gaining momentum as moms-to-be seek out talented friends and professional photographers to capture the scene in the delivery room before, during, and after childbirth.

We turned to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, photographer Jennifer Bebb, founder of Bebb Studios and the director of CMpro at Clickin Moms, to get some pointers for photographing a baby's birth. She shared, "We photograph birthdays, graduations, and weddings, but until recently, photographing the birth of a child was not common. Having a photographer document birth is becoming more and more popular. Some people choose to hire a photographer who specializes in this field, while others prefer the intimacy of a trusted family member or close friend on hand with a camera."

Read on for Jennifer's five best tips for photographing this special moment. Source: Jennifer Bebb

Have a Plan

Have a Plan

The Girl Scouts aren't the only ones who need to be prepared. Before the big day, there are several conversations you need to have. Jennifer said, "In the weeks leading up to the birth, chat with the parents-to-be about what their expectations are, the kinds of images they want, and the areas that are off limits. Some parents will want everything from the labor, to the pushing, to the birth itself. Other parents will only want the moments after baby is born and they know everything is fine."

She added that you will want to "ask the parents-to-be to let the doctors and nurses know you will be there and what they expect from you. Having this conversation in advance will help avoid misunderstandings during the birth itself." Source: Jennifer Bebb

Be Ready to Go

Be Ready to Go

Along with always being prepared in terms of having the right conversations, Jennifer reminded us that we need to be prepared in terms of time. "Babies rarely arrive on schedule, except in the case of a scheduled Cesarean," she said. "That means you might get a call during school drop-off, grocery shopping, a date with your significant other, or the middle of the night. As the due date nears, have your gear ready at all times." Source: Jennifer Bebb

Use Available Light

Use Available Light

The last thing the laboring mom (or new baby) will want to see is a camera's flash, so Jennifer said you must work with the right equipment. "Hospitals and birth centers are not known for photography-friendly light, so be prepared to work in low-light situations," she explained. "This means you will need a camera that can make great images at higher ISO settings like 3200 or 6400 and lenses that let in as much light as possible. Practice at home if you are not accustomed to working in low light and ensure you have the right equipment for the job." Source: Jennifer Bebb

Use the Moments in Between

Use the Moments in Between

Every moment during childbirth isn't exactly momentous, so Jennifer suggested using that time to photograph the details. She said, "As you arrive at the birth, take a few moments to choose the lenses and exposure settings for the session. Doing this before things start to happen allows you to focus on what is happening in front of you and not your camera settings. This is also a great time to photograph the details surrounding the birth. Images of the clock on the wall, for example, are a reminder of when things happened, while images of the hospital bracelet, a special blanket, or the comforts from home complete the story." Source: Jennifer Bebb

Photograph Their Faces

Photograph Their Faces

"Don't forget to focus on the faces of the people in the room — mom, dad, grandparents-to-be, friends, etc.," Jennifer said. "If they are in the room while the baby is being born, they are important to this family. Documenting the emotion while the baby is coming, then right after birth, is incredibly powerful and will remind everyone how they felt as baby was being born."

Jennifer also reminded us that you need to be prepared for anything. She said, "Births rarely go as planned, and there are often complications, and quick decisions to be made. There are times when you might be asked to stop shooting — if that happens, put the camera down until you get the OK to start shooting again. " Source: Jennifer Bebb