People will spend thousands of dollars to have their Wedding Day documented and no one questions why. Why then wouldn’t you want to photograph another important day in the couples life? The birth of your baby? Birth Photography is on the rise and couples are now having the birth of their children photographed. In the United States and elsewhere around the world people have been doing this for several years. Birth Photography has been in the Vancouver area for 3-4 years and its popularity is now spreading throughout Canada…and for good reason!
I had children several years ago, when the idea of a photographer in the labor room was never even heard of. When I was born, fathers were not even present in the delivery room. Birth practices have changed over the last 50 years or so. Birth was always something that was never discussed and the unknown made people fear birth.
I remember going to the hospital to give birth and was told to take a sleeping pill that they didn’t call it labour for nothing and I needed my rest. My husband was sent home to get rest. I ended up delivering my first child before my husband would have left the parking lot. My second child was almost the same scenario except they had him ‘go get a gown on’ before coming into the delivery room and he missed the 2nd birth also.
Everything happened so fast and was a blur! I remember the excitement of holding my newborns in my arms, but I honestly cannot remember anything else. I don’t remember them looking up into my face or if I counted their fingers and toes. There was no such thing as the father cutting the umbelico cord or catching the baby. I don’t even remember the nurses weighing my newborns or measuring them. All I remember is how frantic the nurses were as they were caught off guard with my quick deliveries.
I think it is such a wonderful thing that parents are having the birth of their babies documented as they are born. Each birth is a wonderful experience. To be able to look at a photo album and see the support the mother was given during labor, the room you delivered in, your baby opening their eyes for the first time, the reaction of mom and dad as they seen what sex you were, the details of the newborn exam, your first cry, falling soundly asleep on your mothers chest, your father so tenderly picking you up and cuddling you for the first time, your first family photo, your first feeding, your first bath etc. One of the most important days of my life- when I became a mother is lost to faded memories.
Birth Photography has changed that for this generation of mothers. They can soak up every little detail of their new baby without having to worry about the photos being missed. Many mothers are not even aware how supportive their husbands are while bringing their baby earthside. What a treasure to have dad also in the photos to share in the support and excitement during the birth of your child. Your child’s birth story captured. These photos are priceless and can never be redone. Photos you can share with your child to show how much you loved them and gave your all for them. Photos that say “We did it!”
I belong to a group of Birth Photographers from around the world. Here is a video they put together, to show what birth photography is about. It is called “Hold Her Hand Not the Camera”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61SSzjU7BMg
Here is another of Professional Birth Photography
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJxD79jImL0
Cheryl Chamberlain Photography is located in Central Ontario and covers the Kitchener-Waterloo, Brampton, and Owen Sound areas. She is a birth and lifestyle photographer.
Website: cherylchamberlainphotography.wordpress.com
Facebook: Cheryl Chamberlain Photography