Why You Should Hire A Professional Birth Photographer
Hey! I’m Kylie – owner of Kylie Bree Photography and a member of the Sage Birth and Wellness Collective. I have been documenting birth stories since 2018, and when people hear that I’m a birth photographer, I get one of two reactions: either an excited “That’s amazing!” or a hesitant “Why would anyone want THAT photographed!?”
I get it—it’s a vulnerable and emotional time, and having a camera in the room might sound overwhelming. But here’s the thing: birth photography isn’t all about capturing the moment of birth. Professional birth photographers focus on the whole story of the day, from the loving support of your birth team to the very first moments of your baby’s life. It’s about documenting the details that often go unnoticed in the moment but become priceless when you look back.
If you’re working with a birth doula, you already value the importance of having support during this life-changing experience. Birth photography complements that support in such a beautiful way. Here are my top six reasons why hiring a professional birth photographer is one of the best decisions you can make:
You’ll only regret the photos you don’t take.
The day your baby is born is truly unforgettable—but memories fade, no matter how special they are. You can’t recreate the details or emotions of the day, so capturing them as they happen is priceless. You can always delete a photo that doesn’t resonate with you, but you can’t go back in time and capture the moments you missed.
Your partner should be fully present with you.
One of the most amazing things about birth photography is how it frees up your partner to focus on you and your baby. Your partner doesn’t have to multitask between being there for you and trying to snap photos. They get to be part of the story, not just the person behind the lens. And trust me—having photos of them supporting you in labor or holding your baby for the first time will melt your heart every time you look back at them.
Birth is life-changing. Document it!
When people think about the best day of their lives, the day their baby was born almost always tops the list. Even if your birth experience didn’t go as planned, it’s still the day your life changed forever. Why wouldn’t you want to preserve those memories?
You won’t remember everything.
Between the intensity of labor and all the emotions flooding in, it’s easy for details to blur together. Having photos that capture the story of your baby’s birth—the little moments you might not even notice in the moment—helps you relive it with fresh eyes.
A professional makes all the difference.
Birth photography isn’t easy. Hospital lighting can be harsh, home births can have dim lighting, and the fast pace of labor doesn’t give much room for error. A professional photographer knows how to work with tricky lighting and unpredictable timing. They also understand how births unfold and know what to capture—from the quiet support of your doula to the first time you see your baby.
You only get to meet your baby for the first time once.
Each birth is unique. You only get to experience this baby’s birth dayonce. From the moment you see their tiny face to the first time they grab your finger, those memories are irreplaceable.
Hiring a birth photographer ensures that those moments are documented in a way that’s as meaningful and beautiful as the experience itself.
Ready to Document Your Birth Story?
Have you thought about what moments you’ll want to remember from your baby’s birth? What would it mean to look back and see the support, love, and firsts of that incredible day?
If you’re already working with a doula, you know how valuable it is to have someone by your side during such a big moment. Adding birth photography to your plans could be the perfect way to complete your story.
Feel free to reach out if you’re curious about how birth photography might fit into your experience. I’d love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions!
Kylie Bree
KylieBreePhotography.com