Fifteen Years of Birth Photography

I cannot believe that I have been documenting births for 15 years!! It sure has evolved significantly over this time. Photos from a birth used to mainly consist of a few casual snapshots taken by family members or staff, often limited to posed moments after delivery. Today, birth photography includes everything from the labour process, the actual birth, and all those beautiful first moments following birth. Ya know, the moment you lay eyes on your baby, their sweet cry, cutting the cord, learning to latch, along with so many moments that would be otherwise forgotten due to the overwhelming rush, especially from the birthing mother’s perspective who gets a limited view of everything. Having your birth photographed by a professional birth photographer allows everyone to be fully present in this magical life changing moment and it leaves you with the entire birth story documented in a way that is so flattering and intentional, highlighting those real raw emotional connections.

Here, grab some tissues and watch this beautiful birth story so you know what I am talking about.

What has changed over the last 15 years to make this form of photography more sought out than ever before? I think the transformation is fuelled by the rise of social media. Not only do we have this new level of appreciation for authentic storytelling which has made us value documenting major life events with professional artistry. It has also helped normalize and celebrate birth in all its forms, encouraging more openness around what was once considered a private or taboo topic. If you are someone who shared your birth experience whether through words and/or pictures, know that you have contributed to this incredible change which has given expecting parents the gift of empowerment.

Because births are unpredictable, I can only book a limited amount, so it’s always best to contact me sooner rather than later. But for all you people reading this who are due soon, don’t fret! Reach out anyway! Each birth books a 5 week period in my calendar. Once baby is born, I open up that spot, so last minute inquiries are possible.

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Hello Sage

{birth story}

Even though birth, in general, is predictable, it's very unpredictable on an individual level. As a birth photographer I never know how long I will be when I head to a labouring mama. On average, I'm gone 14 hours. Sometimes 6, and sometimes 26! When I arrived at the birth of Sage it was 10pm. These two were calm yet eager yet patiently going through the motions as baby was slowly making her way down. Things were moving along nicely. This totally supported Mama laboured at home for a while before we made the move to the hospital. She wanted to make the transition before she got further along because as many mama's know, the car ride isn't so pleasant when you're in labour. It's very normal for things to slow down or even stall after a transfer, but she was deep in labour that things really didn't slow down too much. Things were going so well and she was embracing every contraction as they came. She was doing everything in her power to help baby down. But after the sun came up, exhaustion hit. Things slowed down. Rest is very helpful and can become quite vital at this point, and sometimes that's when epidural is recommended. After she was connected, she napped. Her partner napped. I napped. The midwives napped. We met back in the room a few hours later and found there wasn't much progress. But this mama was determined. She wasn't done. Her baby wasn't done. Her partner was the best supporter. So they sailed on. She laboured through a whole other day. Sometimes, you can do everything in your power and things just won't progress. Baby just gets stuck. And when heart rates start dropping, baby needs to come. So they made the very emotional decision to have a c-section before it turned in to an emergency. Their midwives stayed by their side and helped them with a gentle c-section so when Sage was born she was passed to her mama from under the surgical curtain! It was unbelievably emotional. My words don't really do this birth story justice. It was definitely a birth I will never forget. And I am so grateful to be sharing their story with you today. Just look at these images below and of course watch the birth documentary at the bottom of this post. You'll probably cry.

toronto birth photographer
midwives birth support
in labour
birth transition support
hospital transfer birth documentary
in labour parking lot birth
midwives support all birthing choices
walking the hospital halls
emotional storytelling black and white photography
waterbirths labouring in water
emotional birth documentary midsives support c-section
toronto birth photographer
c-section birth toronto
toronto birth documentary just born
baby's first exam
born via cesarean section
birthing day documented
wrinkly newborn feet
skin to skin with mom
baby's first latch breastfeeding
breastfeeding black and white birth story
toronto canadian birth photographers

***   now press play to watch this beautiful powerful birth story   ***

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