The job of capturing the birth of a child

LONDON: While having someone photograph you during both one of the most intimate and painful experiences of your life is something most people would not wish for, some women are paying thousands for professional photographers to capture the birth of their children.

Kate Griffin ventured into the world of birth photography five years ago, and has since captured 10 births on camera.

The 37-year-old says the preparation usually starts when the mother is around three months pregnant.

“Before booking, I believe that it is vital that people get to meet me and decide whether I’m the right person to have with them during such an intensely intimate experience,” she said.

“By the time I walk into the labour room, I want them to feel I’m a friend rather than a stranger.”

Despite the close bond Griffin wants to form with the expectant parents, she says it is important they know they are in control and can change their mind at any time.

“I let them know they are fully in control and can tell me at any point to take a break or stop photographing them, although this has never happened.

“It’s important they feel in control and not obliged by any agreement because people never know exactly how they are going to respond to being in labour,” she said.

Griffin says the feedback from couples is they tend to forget she is there, which perhaps is unsurprising given the gravitas of the moment. She wants it to be that way and would rather be “a fly on the wall capturing the story, not become part of it”.

When the big day arrives, Griffin is on standby 24 hours a day from two weeks before, to two weeks after, the due date.

This is included in the price for a “birth story service” which is £1 250 (R20 770); however, she has had people pay more than £2 500 after the costs of digital images and albums are factored in.

So why do people pay for this service? Griffin believes it just comes down to parents wanting to capture the memories, and says she has noticed a steady increase.

“I’m always intrigued by what makes people make the first step in booking a birth photographer and, universally, it’s been because they recognise they are going through something incredible that will change their lives forever,” she said.

“They want that story captured with a steady hand – they don’t want to rely on a partner to contain their emotions and create images in very challenging situations.

“And, most importantly, I’m told they want to hold on to those ‘firsts’ – the first cuddle with your newborn is a magical moment. I can also hand back to the mum images that show just how much she is championed and loved by her partner – they get to see how they were looked at and held and cooled during labour.

“And even if it all goes by in a blur, if they’ve been labouring for hours, or sometimes days, they get to a point of exhaustion which means the memories can slip away. I get to give all of that back to them, all of the effort, the work, the pain and ultimately the joy.”

For a woman, childbirth can be intensely private. However Griffin says most couples have been fine about capturing the experience. “I always chat about whether a woman wants me to photograph the business end of things – almost all do, a couple didn’t and it’s always their choice,” she said.

“I can tell you I was floored when I saw my first placenta – that’s something you never forget. It is never fun to see people in prolonged pain. ”The Independent