Childbirth Pictures

From LoveToKnow Pregnancy

Childbirth pictures are a must for avid scrapbookers, photo fanatics, and for sharing the experience with absentee fathers.

Prepare Ahead for Childbirth Pictures

A positive childbirth pictures experience does not just happen. It takes planning and open communication between the photographer and the mother.

Planning

The first question you must ask is who will take the childbirth pictures. For the very best pictures, hire someone with experience in taking childbirth photos. Childbirth class instructors, obstetrics personnel, and Internet searches can provide you with referrals. The reasons it best to hire a professional include:

  • Professionals know what shots will be most memorable.
  • Professionals know how to get the best shots. You do not want an album full of thigh shots or blurred pictures.
  • Professional childbirth photographers are familiar with working around medical staff to get the best shots without interfering with the birthing process.

If a professional childbirth photographer is not an option, you need to choose someone other than your birthing coach or spouse to take the pictures. While childbirth pictures may be nice to have, the priority of your spouse and birthing coach is to help you stay focused and as comfortable as possible.

You should be at ease with whomever you choose to take the childbirth pictures, and he should be prepared for the procedure. To this end, it wise for the photographer to take a tour of labor and delivery facilities at the hospital and to attend childbirth classes with you. You or the photograph should also check with the hospital ahead of time regarding their policies on childbirth photograph. Questions you need to address include:

  • Hospital policy on electrical outlet use for photography equipment.
  • Hospital policy on photography in the operating room or in case of complications.
  • What sort of release forms are required to take pictures that may include hospital staff?

Open Communication

While some mothers may not have a problem with Birth Pictures being taken from all angels, including shots of their genitals, other women will feel uncomfortable even knowing such pictures exist. It is important for you to discuss with the photographer exactly how much of the childbirth experience you want captured, including any specific pictures you would like taken. For example, you may want to ensure the childbirth pictures include a shot of your husband cutting the umbilical cord or you may want to get the baby’s head crowning on film. You may not want any pictures taken until after the baby has been delivered in order to maximize your sense of modesty, but you would like the baby’s first moments photographed.

Picture Taking Tips

Taking childbirth pictures is not as easy as it sounds. A childbirth photographer must shoot around the medical staff and capture the best shots without warning. Here are some tips to capturing the childbirth experience as a photographer:

  • Have plenty of film on hand and avoid saving film for later. Some of the best pictures will be taken on the fly, and you do not want to miss a special moment because you are saving film for a different shot.
  • Consider taking more than one camera. By having more than one camera at hand, you will not have to stop to change out rolls of film during crucial points of the birthing experience.
  • Avoid using flashbulbs. Flashbulbs will disturb everyone involved and most likely upset the baby.
  • Remember to take pictures of the family and friends who are present as well as mom and baby.
  • Sometimes the little moments, such as the husband rubbing his wife’s back during labor can make for the most remarkable memories. Taking pictures of these moments is as important as taking pictures of the actual birth.

 


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