3 Questions to Ask Your Birth Photographer
What’s your experience with birth photography?
Everyone has to start somewhere. I get it. I’ve BEEN that photographer with no experience in the birth genre. Dude, it’s SCARY hard! You think you know or understand what you’re up against because you’ve photographed a few weddings and you have children of your own. Not. Even. Close.
Experience matters more than anything else to me with a birth photographer. There’s so much to know and understand. And with lack of training programs available, it’s very difficult to “break into the biz”. You need an experienced photographer who understands how to get great images in complex lighting scenarios and fast paced environments, who understand how to artfully photograph nudity, who can create a variety of compositions in a small and uninspiring environment (dark bedrooms and ugly hospital rooms, hello!).
Do you have any kind of doula or childbirth educator background?
Let’s talk about your birth space for two minutes. You’ve likely spent several hours in the last months mulling over the pros and cons of having various people in your birth space. You want to make your family and friends happy and you more importantly want to protect the sacred space you’re creating. Now you’ve surprised everyone because you’re thinking of inviting a stranger into your birth space. What support can this person provide that your mother-in-law can’t? Wouldn’t it be weird to have this person you’ve only spent a few hours with see… everything?
I started as just a birth photographer, but it became very clear very quickly that being a birth worker meant being more than just one thing. Being a birth worker meant being a part of the support team no matter what role you’re supposed o be playing. When a birthing person needs encouragement, I have the right words to say. When a room needs to be more quiet and subdued so a mother can focus on her laboring, I’m there to remind family that all our senses are heightened in labor and the excess noise can be slowing down progression. Having a photographer who is knowledgeable about b i r t h is vital! You don’t need another person to add to the noise, to comment on how long it’s taking, to make references to how big your baby is, to swap horror stories about birthing experiences. You need someone with an extensive background in how birth works, someone you can trust to help you meet your goals.
How will you make attending my birth a priority?
There is a strong relationship of trust that has to exist. Your family is undoubtedly invested in your birth and meeting your baby. But what about a stranger? What about this person you’ve only known for 45 minutes? How do you know they’ll show up? There’s some key things to look out for to know you’re working with a professional photographer who will prioritize your birth.
There’s a contract. If you are not presented with a contract that specifically outlines being on call and receive instructions on how to update your photographer on your progression, just move along. Contract protect both parties. They’re vital. Don’t work with someone who can’t explain theirs or doesn’t present theirs.
There’s a plan for other work and children. Maybe your photographer takes other sessions or work. Maybe they have a few kids of their own. Whatever the case, they should be open and willing to share their plan for how to handle those parts of their life with you for your labor. I share with clients my childcare plans and my estimated arrival times to their birth spaces in our first meeting. I never want a client to be worrying if I’ll be able to show up. That should never be a question on their mind, even for moms with histories of quick labors.
Affiliation. Is this birth photographer registered with the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers? Do they hold a doula certification? Is there a larger collective they are apart of and accountable toward? I cannot tell you the number of times I have seen someone hire a cheap photographer who “really wants to see a birth” and the person hasn’t shown up. Professionals have professional affiliations and standards they adhere to. Don’t hesitate to ask about any trainings or affiliations someone may have.
Birth photography can be one of the biggest investments you make in your birth this year. I encourage you to search for the right photographer. Ask questions and ask them again. Build that trust and then start getting excited for how you'll get to remember your birth! 
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