How to kickstart your way to birth photography
Deciding to dive into birth photography did not happen overnight with me. I was going through a creative rut a few years ago and I felt that whatever I was doing, it was not enough to fulfill my creative tank. I was looking for more authenticity, intensity and meaning in my photographs. I wanted organic connection and raw emotions and yes, something that not a lot of people do. The idea of doing birth dawned into me in late 2016, but it wasnt until in early 2017 that the idea materialised and I was able to find a client to do it with.
Birth photography is a growing niche in India. It is already recognised in the photography community, and families started welcoming the idea of it. My journey as a birth photographer has been very challenging and I am still paving my way to get into that market. However, if you are looking to explore this genre, I’d like to share a few things that I learned along the way and hope this helps you kickstart your way to birth documentary.
1. Seek permission from your client’s Doctor. Hospitals have policies and the first thing you would need to do is to seek permission from your clients Doctor. If this can be done by your client alone, well and good. But if you can come along during one of the appointments, the better because it’s fast tracked to tip number 2. Please remember however that not a lot of Doctors would approve of this, and we have to respect that decision.
2. Plan ahead
Once you get Doctors approval, brief your client and the Doctor with the workflow and your shot list. It’s important to set expectations and share your thoughts as to how you are going to shoot the entire process. Take important details like your client’s birth plan, their due date, phone numbers in case Mom cant pick up her phone and the type of birth they are going for – is it a normal or a CS birth. Ask, because the scheduling, preps and experience is totally different, considering the limitations that you might face in the hospital.
3. Understand the birthing process
My own birth experience with my two children helped me understand how to navigate my way through the birthing process of the clients I have documented; and from my experience it is by taking cues mainly from body movements and sound/conversations. If you have never birthed a child, its okay. Read up, do your research and if you can, reach out to the Doctor, a doula or a midwife who can help you understand the process.
4. Respect the birthing space and the support team
The delivery room is a sacred space. From my experience documenting it, I was given only one spot where I can stand during the entire process. It is important to listen to the Doctor as any movement or step can interfere the birthing process. It is also important to keep in mind that birth is teamwork ; and work becomes easier if you have a good camaraderie with the people you are working along with.
5. Expect the unexpected.
When it comes to unpredictability, there is nothing more unpredictable than birth. From early labours to emergency CS, long labours, overdue babies and all the uncertainty that it brings, its best to always keep a reality check with expectations as there are chances your schedule is going to be messed up at some point. Birth brings in a lot of surprises, you just have to be ready for it.
Having zero medical background, my legs still get jelly at the sight of a pool of blood. But motherhood gave me that strong connection and sense of purpose to pursue this genre – to showcase the strength and power of a woman, the vulnerabilities of the people involved and the rawness of life. Birth is a miracle story in itself and to be able to document that moment is an honor in itself.
