Free/Low Cost Birth Photographers and Why You Get What You Pay For
Because you get what you pay for.
It's really that simple.
Here's a few stories I've found regarding what a client received (or didn't receive) when a free/low cost birth photographer was hired (these are all anonymous):
"....birth photographer never answered their phone. Never called back either."
"birth photographer said that it wasn't a good time, but that they could shoot the birth the following day."
"free birth photographer showed up to the birth, photographed the birth, but then accidentally deleted ALL of the photos so the client never saw any of them."
"client booked someone that was doing it super cheap. They called her to let her know labor was progressing, it was 11PM, she had just gotten off work & said she was too tired to come so she no-showed."
SAY WHAT!? How is that even professional?? I've heard more negative things than positive when it comes to free/low cost birth photographers. It's not even that they're doing it just for fun. Like what is your goal? Do you plan on becoming a professional? Are you just seeing if you like it? Do you just want to watch someone give birth? Do you have a fetish (this is a legit thing)?
THESE ARE ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCES.
I can't stress enough the importance in hiring a professional. Yes, it's more than you probably want to spend, BUT like I said before, it's a once in a lifetime experience (your baby will only be born once no matter how many baby's you may have). Hire someone who knows what they're doing and understands the ins and outs of birth.
With a professional birth photographer you typically receive on a minimal level:
Constant accessible communication with the photographer if needed.
Consultation/prenatal visit to go over protocol of when to call, update, what to expect, the type of photos wanted, etc.
Guaranteed photographer at the birth (if not your photographer than a back up is sent)
Professional attitude and understanding on how to react to all situations within the birth space as well as how to communicate with medical professionals (and also be out of their way).
An understanding that birth sometimes takes 20+ hours and is ready to be right next to you the entire time.
Guaranteed timeline of when you'll receive edited photos and how you'll receive them.
They're ready to miss holidays/birthdays/special events/vacations because they made a commitment to you and your birth experience.
This is our job. We take it seriously. We take your experience and the photos we're providing you seriously. We have resources for you if you need them, whether prenatally, during your birth, or if you need something postpartum.
Birth photography isn't a hobby.
It isn't something that can only be done when it's convenient for everyone else.
No, we drop EVERYTHING we are doing to go be with our client. Period.
And if we can't, we send a comparable back up in our place.
Because these are once in a lifetime moments that can NEVER be recreated.
It needs to be documented.