Some people find birth photography to be an odd profession. You can get some interesting reactions when you tell people what you do. “You take pictures of THAT?” “Who would want pictures of that?!?” *uncomfortable half smile with raised eyebrows* But I think, who wouldn’t want pictures of the moment they meet their child for the first time? Who wouldn’t want to see themselves in all of their power, tackling one of the hardest things they will ever do, and coming out the other side a whole new person? Who wouldn’t want to see the details they missed because they were in another world while laboring? The look on their partner’s face as they see their baby be born? The first breath of the child they’ve been growing inside of them for so long? Who wouldn’t want to be able to look back on these things, and someday share them with that child?
Birth photography, for me, is about capturing the emotions of the full story. Is it about a small person being pushed out of a vagina? Or pulled from an abdomen? Sure. That’s a super cool and fascinating part of it as well. But that isn’t the story. In fact, I don’t even always take pictures of that, if the parents don’t want them. The love shared between the people in the room, the fear, the joy, the pain, the ecstasy, the quiet, the excitement, the power, the hope … that’s the story. That’s what I aim to document for people by capturing the little moments, the big emotions – all of the memories. I absolutely love to look back on the photos taken during the births of my three sons. The moments weren’t all wonderful, but they were all beautiful. Because they made up the story of how these three small people came into our lives. And I want to provide that for others.
I’ve been passionate about birth for a long time. I find it truly magical and captivating. I started college with the plan to become a labor and delivery nurse. I thought that was the coolest job. To get to be there and help when a baby was first born. My life took a different course and I didn’t end up going to nursing school. But I did end up having my own first baby at 22. And after that experience, my thought was that I would become a doula. Another great way to help support moms during birth! But I had a baby of my own, and with everything going on, I never pursued it. Then one day, I was scrolling through Pinterest (a very popular thing for people to do around that time) and I saw a photo of a mom with a freshly born baby on her chest and a huge smile on her face. And the photo led to an article about birth photography. I have never heard of it. Sure, I’d heard of people taking pictures during – I had my aunt take pictures on my camera at my birth. But people paying a professional to come take photos when they give birth? I didn’t know it was a thing. And when I found out it was – I knew that was the job for me! I’d been dabbling in photography since high school and improving my skills over the years. I had finally found a way to combine those two passions and make a living to support my family! I didn’t photograph a birth until 6 years after I first saw that smiling new mom’s photo on Pinterest. But during that time, I studied. I learned everything I could about birth and improved my photography. And I continue to learn and grow, and I became a Certified Birth Photographer though Birth Becomes You, so that I can provide the best possible experience and photos for the moms that invite me into their birth space.
And for those moms who I am given the honor to serve, I am also passionate about helping to support and encourage them through their journey. The first time I photographed a birth, I was nervous. I thought I should stand back, only observe and take photos, not talk or be a part of anything happening. And I hated that. I had to fight back the urge to help the entire time. I am a helper and encourager by nature. And I knew after that first birth that I would approach births that way, because that is who I am. If mom needs me quiet in a corner to help her birth best, that is what I will do. But if she needs something that I am capable of helping with – a drink of water, a hand to hold, an encouraging word, an idea for helping with the pain, etc., I have a loving heart and a wealth of knowledge and I am more than happy to provide those things. Because I want all women to have the best birth experience possible for them in their situation. And sometimes birth isn’t perfect, and no mom should have to face that without every bit of support that she can get.
There will always be someone who thinks that birth photography is weird or gross. And that’s okay, I guess. But to me, birth photography is a gift. A way to have those powerful and life-changing moments of bringing a new baby into this world, and all that brings with it, available to look back on at any time. Birth is messy. It is hard. It can also be scary and sad. But birth is beautiful. It is incredible. And I provide birth photography because I want to give people the ability to see their full story whenever they’d like, while also helping to support them along the way.
If you’re interested in learning more about my birth photography services, check out this page: https://kristenadkinsphotography.com/birthphotography/
Kristen Adkins Photography 