Birth Photography

It's been over a week, and I haven't written about my birth photography session yet! Ah!

Dear internet, there is something you all must know about being at a birth... it is the most amazing thing in the world. I feel truly honored and inspired every time I attend one. And even though I have to carry around that dang cell phone all week, getting silly text messages from Dave that are meant for my husband, it is always more than worth it.

I love the stillness of birth. The house, the room, is always still... waiting.

I love the smell of birth. It smells like hot water and candlelight.

I love the midwives. I hadn't photographed at a birth for awhile, and when the midwife arrived (for those of you in the know, it was Jeannie), she looked really happy to see me, like we were old friends. And my friend Sarah was there too, and she is the most wonderful midwife in the entire universe. I am always amazed at the amount of work midwives do, and I often wonder how I got along without them during my last birth (an intentionally unassisted birth).

Jeannie hugged me right before I left too. I liked that.

Sometimes I feel like a voyeur, taking pictures. Like I'm not really supposed to be a part of it. I think about my feelings during my last birth... how I wanted to be alone, no one watching... and I transfer some of those feelings onto this births. I don't want to get in the way. I don't want to interfere. I try not to, because that is the way I would want it. (Although, anyone who hires me to take pictures at their births obviously doesn't mind my being there. I have to remember that.)

About 5-10 minutes after the birth, my camera stopped working. I thanked God it didn't go out any sooner. After six years of owning my camera (a Digital Canon Rebel), this was the first time I ever had trouble with it. The shutter was stuck. Wouldn't open. (I still need to figure out what to do about my camera situation... this is the reason you haven't seen any pictures on this blog lately. So, if anybody wants to give me $1,000 to buy my almost-dream camera, that would be wonderful.)

But the pictures turned out great. And the video turned out great (did I mention that I also videotaped it?). I love working on birth videos... piecing together the moments, putting them to music. It's lovely.

Births are lovely. I would like to go to one again. If you are pregnant, live in the Minneapolis area, and would like to hire me to take pictures AND video at your birth, let me know. I would like to be a part of it (assuming I have a new camera by then).