I’ve known for a really long time now that I wanted to have a photographer document my labor and birth experience, in fact, I started emailing birth photographers before I had decided on a midwife yet! Being a photographer myself I have what I like to think of “discerning taste” (really I’m just picky and opinionated), and I knew there weren’t going to be many available people in the Dallas area who do birth photography on a regular basis if I waited too long to schedule.
I came really close to working with Lynsey Stone Photography, one of the best birth photographers in the Dallas area, but she’s so good that her services were out of my price range and her packages didn’t quite fit what I was looking for. I wanted to take a moment to sing the praises of Lynsey though because she’s so incredibly nice! Even though I’m not one of her clients, she emailed back and forth with me with advice on midwives in the area, and recently sent me a message on Facebook to ask how my pregnancy was going. This is one of her birth shots, isn’t her work beautiful?
I hadn’t had much luck in finding someone else that fit the look I wanted, when my midwife mentioned Keri Duckett Photography as one of her favorites. I really loved what I saw on her site, and her package included a disc of images that I can use for blogging, something that’s really important to me as I’m brimming with excitement to share this experience in detail with all of you! I’ve spent lots of time since then browsing her site and imagining what my own photos could look like, as I always do when I hire a photographer for something (everyone else does this too, right?).
I’m hoping she captures moments like this with That Husband:
The first few seconds of life:
My first moments with baby:
and TH’s first encounter with baby:
Our first time together as a new family:
and of course a few portraits of our brand new little person!
Less than 60 days and those ladies will be ME!
Would I photograph births myself? I do love birth, and I’ve photographed one, but committing to be an official birth photographer is difficult because it means you have to be ready at any moment within a one month period to drop everything and rush off to take pictures. Although I might head that direction in the future, for now I’m not ready to structure my life that way.
February 16th, 2010 on 10:41 am
Yes, it seems like being a birth photographer would be a challenge. Those pictures are really pretty.
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February 16th, 2010 on 10:52 am
I’d never considered having a birth photographer before. Mainly because I don’t plan on looking that awesome during labor! But looking through these photos made me realize what a professional could capture – my exhaustion could look beautiful?!
Do you wear makeup to your delivery? I am not pregnant yet, so I have some time to decide…
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Jenna Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I’m totally wearing makeup for my labor! It will all wear off pretty quickly but at least I won’t have completely naked face to look back on. I still haven’t figured out the best hairstyle either. Ridiculous to think about I know, but I know I feel better when I think I look good. Why wouldn’t I want to try to look/feel my best when I’m enduring the worst pain I’ll likely ever experience?
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February 16th, 2010 on 11:21 am
Oh, WHY did you have to post those pictures?!?! I SO want to be pregnant and do the whole delivery thing again! The photos are really gorgeous though.
I would, love, love, LOVE to be a birth photographer. I am hoping to offer some birth photography packages whenever I get my business off the ground, but it may have to one of those things that need to wait a little while. Kind of like my doula aspirations- I’ll probably be waiting to do that until I’m finished having my babies and they’re no longer babies anymore.
I would love to have a photographer at our next birth, whenever that may be, but I’m thinking the birth photographers crop is slim pickings in my area. So I’m not sure what I’ll do- probably have an extra person, besides my husband and the midwife, present just to take pictures.
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February 16th, 2010 on 11:40 am
I don’t have kids, and don’t know if kids are in the cards for my husband and me. But those pictures made me tear up. What an incredible amount of emotion to capture.
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February 16th, 2010 on 11:42 am
You are brave! I don’t know that I’d want someone to take pictures, although some of those are really gorgeous and make me wonder if it’d be worth getting a photographer for the birth just to have those sweet pictures of the baby.
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February 16th, 2010 on 11:50 am
These are really pretty. I love this idea.
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February 16th, 2010 on 12:39 pm
What an amazing, powerful and personal experience to capture on camera! I never thought about having a professional, always imagined my husband would do most of the documenting. But these images are so beautiful, maybe we will consider it when the time comes. Hope you are well in the final days of your pregnancy!!
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February 16th, 2010 on 1:43 pm
I have never heard of a birth photographer! lol. Now that I see those pics though, I have to say wow. Those are awesome! Plus, I think it’s a better way to capture the day than having someone film the whole thing.
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February 16th, 2010 on 1:58 pm
I have to admit I was skeptical when I started reading, but those photos are so amazing. And so much better than the crappy shots people post all over Facebook moments after giving birth! I’m looking forward to reading about your experience with the home birth. You’ve opened my eyes.
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February 16th, 2010 on 3:24 pm
Looking at these photographs makes me kind of sad that I didn’t do something like this with my girls. I have the usual husband took shaky and sort of hard to visualize photographs while the nurses are cleaning, weighing and wrapping the baby, but nothing beautiful (of course my girls are beautiful) like the ones you have shared with us. Good luck through your labor and delivery. It’s a difficult and magical experience that I wouldn’t give back for the world.
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February 16th, 2010 on 3:27 pm
I LOVE those last newborn shots, especially the one in the water. What perfect, calm shots of those new babies!! It makes me wish Grant and Kyle were that little and new again!
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February 16th, 2010 on 6:08 pm
Add me to the list of those who had never heard of this. What an amazing experience though – especially in black and white. I am excited to see your photos now!
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February 16th, 2010 on 6:49 pm
Just like you, I originally dreamed of using Lynsey, but our budget just wouldn’t allow it right in the middle of this remodel. Thanks so much for posting Keri’s information… I’m going to do my best to work something out with her for our birth just a few weeks after yours!
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February 16th, 2010 on 8:38 pm
Those are so beautiful. Something about having another person there at such a personal, intimate in every sense of the word (aka naked!) occasion seems a little creepy and invasive. But, when I see those beautiful images, it seems so wrong not to record something so profound.
You post so many things that make me re-think my conceptions about what I want in a birth. I’m glad I have plenty of time to figure it all out.
(Even if much of the time I am so jealous of you and other new/soon-to-be Moms. Stupid law school.)
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Jenna Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Ahem… if you’re concerned about having a bunch of strangers around during your birthing experience you might want to look into a birthing location other than a hospital. At the birth I photographed there were a few times when someone walked in, did a vaginal exam on the laboring mom, walked out, and the mom and dad looked at each other and said “Do you have any idea who that was?”
I’m going to tell the photog to grab everything, from any angle she wants. If I hate it, I can always delete it. No one except she or I has to see those photos and I’d rather have them and delete them then find myself wishing they were there and regretting it later.
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Genavee Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I really hope I didn’t come across as attacking your choice to have a birth photographer in my comment (creepy was probably too strong of a word choice). If so, I apologize.
I was trying to get across that for me, my initial gut reaction to having a photographer present would be discomfort over the additional exposure and lack of control.
Not that it really matters, but the general idea of loosing control and privacy and being treated like a patient instead of a person (like you described) is one of the biggest reasons I would prefer to not have a hospital birth when the time comes. The almighty dollar will probably pay more of a role in the decision making process than I would like, but given my druthers I’d go for a Birth Center, or maybe even a home birth if my conceptions continue to evolve in the direction they’re heading. I love the idea of owning the experience – which I suppose if one invites the photographer and has a good relationship with them is certainly present.
I don’t know what I’ll do for photography – but I do know that it’s something I’ll think about, and I probably wouldn’t have before.
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Jenna Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:44 pm
No, you didn’t come across that way as well. Maybe I need to start using more smiley faces in my comments?
(See how helpful that one was! They are cheesy but they serve their purpose.)
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February 16th, 2010 on 10:08 pm
Beautiful!!!
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February 16th, 2010 on 11:26 pm
Those are so beautiful! She is amazing! I am sure you will get even more beautiful shots
You are amazing hun and so close! Keep it up babe! I can’t wait to share the stories and see your updates. Sending love and patience for awaiting that day!
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February 17th, 2010 on 1:40 am
You have talked about being modest. I was wondering how you feel being modest but having your picture taken while giving birth? Do you have rules about what she is not allowed to shoot? Is giving birth the kind of thing were you don’t even worry about your nudity?
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Jenna Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Ahhh modesty! Such a fascinating topic. When I refer to modesty, I’m talking about respecting your body. Not using it as a means of flaunting your sexuality, thus showing your spouse you love and respect them and want to be “theirs”, etc. Because this is what modesty means to me, I’m giving the photographer free reign to capture whatever she wants and telling her to give everything back to me. I won’t be putting pictures of my hoo-hoo up on the blog, and if I end up completely topless I won’t be putting up any nipple shots either (though I think I’m going to get some kind of sports/lounge bra and wear that while I labor and I have no problems putting up photos of me wearing that.) Though I guess it’s possible someone out there could get turned on by a half naked whale of a pregnant lady pushing a melon-sized head out of her hoo-hoo I think the odds are slim and so I don’t think I’m disrespecting myself by showing more than I would on a normal basis. I guess, when it comes down to it I think modesty is about intent and context? No matter what I’m sure I’ll get an appalled email from at least one of my family members asking me what I was thinking, putting photos like that up on my blog!
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Laura Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Ahhhh…..I see. Thanks for replying. I was really curious. I think I assumed that modestly just meant being really modest about showing your body. Thus I wondered how you felt being so exposed. But it sounds like modestly is more about being respectful and appropriate with your body…not about nudity. Heck! I am not “modest” and I think I would be really shy being naked around all those people. But I hear that when you are in the moment….you could care less! haha
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Em Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I think this is an awesome perspective. I, too, was wondering if modesty meant just covering up all the time, no matter what (like women should be hidden or something) or if was more about not being sexual. Thanks for sharing =]
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February 17th, 2010 on 2:36 am
Gorgeous photos. I think having a birth photographer is a lovely idea, and it looks like you’ve chosen a great one!
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February 17th, 2010 on 8:29 am
Wow these are poignant. Great choice! All the birth photography I’ve seen has always icked me out a little (too graphic maybe? too much?) but stuff like THIS just blows my mind and makes me want to change my mind! So emotional. And I’m seriously digging the black/white versus color.
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February 17th, 2010 on 8:41 am
I have a birth photographer for my little one due in July and wouldn’t have it any other way. No one I know has ever hired one but I see those moments as just as, if not more, important than our wedding day and we spent plenty of money on those photos. Can’t wait to see how yours come out!
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February 18th, 2010 on 2:57 pm
I need know such a thing existed! What a neat idea though
I’d love to have mine photographed, except I’m already not very photogenic, so I’d probably hate myself in every picture – haha. Those pictures are really breathtaking though!
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February 19th, 2010 on 11:40 am
I’m playing catch-up on your blog (midterms = no time to read blogs sadly) and I just saw this post! I love these photographs! She certainly is talented! I’m not sure I’d be up for the whole water birth experience, I LOVE the idea of photographing the birth! It certainly sounds like you have really put a lot of thought and time into creating a memorable experience! You two will make such great parents! I’m so excited for you too!
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February 19th, 2010 on 1:22 pm
All these baby pictures are making me so excited for my baby, even though we have another 6 months to wait to meet him or her.
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February 19th, 2010 on 2:21 pm
I def want to have a birth photographer for my children (one day). I would also like to try being a birth photographer for someone. But I do understand that it is a lot of commitment. That might be half the fun though!
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February 22nd, 2010 on 10:40 am
I get what you mean about being a birth photographer – dropping everything when it’s time! How long does the photographer stay for though? Does she come just when you think it’s getting close or do you call her whenever you’re ready? Is it an hourly thing or just a commitment, like wedding photogs?
Beautiful pictures though – so emotional!
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March 1st, 2010 on 8:31 am
[...] are curious about me being okay with showing my belly when I talk so much about modesty, please see this reply I wrote to an earlier comment on the topic of birth photography and [...]