Being invited into another’s labor and birth experience is one of the most powerful experiences you may ever encounter.

Readying your soul, softening your heart and steadying your mind is thus how we go beyond professionalism to meet the vulnerability that is being shared with an equal humility and tenderness.

This begins before a client has even booked you as their birth photographer. Spend time thinking through your own birth experience if you’ve had one, or discussing various birth stories of women in your village.

Reminisce or research how women feel comfort and support in labor.

Seek to understand the medical perspective of birth as much as possible, studying labor patterns and medication choices so that when you overhear discussions during the labor and birth, you will be able to anticipate how this may affect your shooting.

It is not typical but situations may arise where you can provide various levels of support beyond documentation. Prepare your mind and heart to serve the significant other of the mother. Think through how you can be the most discreet and respectful of the professionals involved in the birth process.

From the dedication of her support system, to the strength she’ll dig deep to find, to the first breath of a new spirit joining earthside, the miracle of birth is unparallelled and must be honored.

The success of this experience all hinges on honest and thorough communication. Understanding the family’s hopes for your photography is crucial.

Nothing more beautiful than the tears cried for her flesh, her heart.

Be aware of any traditions, fears or hesitations and prepare how you will address them.

This family’s spiritual practices included a specific tradition immediately after birth. Sweetness for the lips, blessings as the first words the child would ever hear. It was precious to photograph, powerful to witness.

Because labor, even with scheduled inductions, can be unpredictable, make sure to have several professional backups in place. This may be necessary even if you are available for the onset of labor but it drags beyond a timeframe you originally anticipated. Discuss all arrangements with your backup as well as with the client. Make sure to provide multiple methods of reaching you when labor begins. Due to the huge financial and emotional investment of birth photography, contracts are necessary and can address many of these things but nothing can replace direct and sincere conversation with your client.

Labor can stretch into days or, like a whirlwind, everything can happen at once and take a matter of minutes.

Most of the time your time at a birth will be somewhere in-between these two extremes, but you must prepare for either situations every time. Pack a bag for times when you may be there longer than you anticipate.

Bring a blanket, water, backup batteries, chargers, snacks, your computer, perhaps even a change of clothing. Shooting in a highly emotional environment for hours on end is extremely taxing and setting yourself up for the physical stamina that will be required is essential. Evaluate your equipment to make sure you can be as versatile as you can understanding that you may be in a situation with many present or the mother may desire solitude and stepping into the background may support her best.

I prefer my 35mm for its speed in focusing in dimly lit situations, but also use my 50mm and 85mm. I also pack my 135mm f/2.0 lens in case I may need to stand across a larger room and shoot around other more essential persons.

Use two bodies if you can to allow yourself to switch lenses without taking the time to disassemble them from the camera. (Two camera bodies also allow me to create birth films in addition to my still photography which you can see here.) Use pauses in between contractions to be aware of strong medical lights and/or shadows from overhead lights.

This is another time I find using two cameras to be helpful. I use one camera for areas of bright light, another for dimmer areas, and when the pushing has begun and the crux of the action is upon you, I can rely on my preparation knowing that my settings are already perfected.

Allow your senses to be fully engaged to notice the details as well as having the calm to step back and notice the entirety of the story. I know first-hand I was completely unaware of my surroundings during my births as my focus was completely internal, and having photographs afterwards to illustrate the unwavering devotion of my husband was life-changing.

As the birth photographer, you’ll witness the work in waiting only she can do and the hurt in watching only he can feel.

That is the power we hold within our camera, we will be the ones painting the picture of this new soul, this new being entering the world.

We are responsible for documenting the season and surroundings.

We illustrate the agony and sacrifice.

We depict the wait and wonder. When we engage our senses, we can pick up on things that may be lost in the commotion and save them for eternity to be cherished in story.

Notice what is bringing comfort, what is being repeated, who and how individuals are present.

Don’t let a single interaction slip your attention.

Tune into the nuances.

Share in the tears, the tenderness, the celebration.

They are all a part of this person’s beginning.

Personally, when I finish a birth story, I’m on a high.

I’m nervous to pass it on as I am so emotionally invested, but I can’t help but make it a priority to have it ready for my clients as quickly as possible. I want them to see the wonder I just witnessed.

I want to celebrate their family and provide them a way of announcing their family’s joy.

However, before I do, after culling and editing and compiling, the last step is perhaps one of the most important.

I carefully walk through the final product and make sure that I am honoring all present through my documentation.

I make sure I have respected privacy and modesty concerns.

I ensure that my photography is accurate and appropriate, not just technically, because that is done much earlier in the process, but that the story is complete and respectful.