Using Flash During Birth

I've heard a ton of concern regarding the use of flash during birth and how it may affect the birthing person or even the rest of the people in the room. But I want to show you two different photos literally taken like 5 seconds apart. One was using a single lamp behind me in the room as a light source and pushing my camera and the other is bouncing flash.

There is SUCH a big difference in the photos.

I have yet to hear a client say the flash was too distracting. Most of them are surprised how little they noticed the flash (they are usually in labor land) but the photos that they receive are clear and easily understood. You can barely make out the birthing person and doula in the low light photo but in the photo containing flash, everything is easily distinguishable.

Now I'm not saying that every birth needs a flash used. Some people give birth in the middle of the day with big windows and a room full of light! And even if it's in the middle of the night, some people like having a room full of light with all the lights on and that's how they feel safe and want to give birth, again, probably don't need a flash. But the use of flash is all dependent on the room and your birth space. Sometimes it's in the best interest of the photos to use a flash at any time. Maybe the light in the room casts odd shadows and the use of flash will correct it. Your photographer will make the best decision based on their professional opinion.

It also depends on the pictures you're interested in receiving back. The more light in the room, the crisper the photos. The lower the light, the more grain (fuzziness) will be in the photos. There are some photos that will always have grain that no editing will remove (#embracethegrain).

So talk with your birth photographer before hand about flash and your feelings regarding it. Look at their portfolio and the photos they capture. If you are super against the use of the flash, some things may have to happen to your birth space to be able to capture photos (like turning on hall/bathroom lights, or a side table light). Or you may need to find a photographer who doesn't use a flash at all if that is something you are determined not to have at your birth.

There is a photographer for everyone! You just have to search around a little 😉

P.S. I like using flash 😍