Photojournalism Through the Lens of Birth

I was at a coffee shop with another local birth photographer going over our marketing for our businesses and she asked how I viewed my art. Her focus has always been emotions. She is a very emotional storyteller in her photos.

I looked at her and said “I don’t know. I’m drawn to .” She said “So you take a photojournalist type approach.” I thought about it for a bit and replied “Actually I do. It’s even in my contract that that is the approach I take.”

She laughed at my ridiculousness of not piecing that together 😂

But I love photojournalism. I’ve always been interested in on-scene photographers at fires, in wars, or natural disasters. Big events that need to be recorded in history.

And in a birth space, the event of bringing life into this world needs to be recorded in history just the same. And photojournalism is an artful and intimate approach to capturing the raw and unscripted moments of birth. It goes beyond traditional photography, and delves into the absolute essence of the birthing experience. I want to document the emotions, connections, and extraordinary moments that unfold during the entire time I’m there. I focus on the authentic moments, the real and evocative moments.

It thrives on candid and unscripted moments as completely documentary. Very rarely are my clients ever posed. And if they are, it’s typically their own doing, someone is yelling at someone to look at the camera 😂

It is about storytelling through visual narratives. Each photograph can be seen as a chapter, intricately woven into the larger story book of birth. The images convey the passage of time, the ebb and flow of emotions, and the progression of labor. And then when viewed together, these photographs tell a powerful and compelling story of the entire experience: Their Book of Birth.

Respect and non-intrusiveness are fundamental in the birth space period. Not just with photojournalism/birth photography, but literally ANYONE in the space. While many people say “be a wallflower, you shouldn’t be seen or heard.” I call bullshit. You are in that space, your energy is there, you a part of their birth experience whether you like it or not. So it’s your job to preserve all those memories.

Birth photography should be empowering for birthing parents. By capturing their strength and determination, it reaffirms the significance of their journey and validates their feelings. Their photos serve as a reminder of their power while strengthening their confidence and sense of accomplishment in the face of adversity.

And not only all of that, but many people don’t realize that birth photography also creates a legacy for future generations. These images become a powerful connection between generations, offering insight into the family's history and the strength of the human spirit.