Tuesday 2 April 2013

birth photography


When July rolls around, I will be preparing for the first time I will be handed the (rather enormous) responsibility of capturing a birth. An actual baby arriving in this world. The first breath, the first cry, the first moment she will meet her parents.

When my friend asked me to be there for the birth of her second child - still very early in her pregnancy, before she could tell anyone she and her husband were expecting a sibling for their son - she sent me an email that made me sit and cry at my computer. Her email came when photography was still technically a hobby. I hadn't yet launched my little dream, I was (and still am) a total amateur. And yet, she trusted me fully to capture one of the very few, truly significant, life altering moments we will ever experience in our lifetime. I have faith in my ability as a photographer to capture this pivotal occasion with the respect and clarity it deserves.

However..

If you watch One Born Every Minute or The Midwives - any documentary on childbirth - and you're anything like me, you end up in a puddle of tears on the couch week after week (I must admit - some of those tears are through laughter - some of those women are hysterical!). Probably something to do with the fact I've endured the birthing journey three times over. Of course I cried each time my children screamed their first noise and were laid on my chest. The only births I have been to are my own.

I am an emotional person naturally. I think motherhood only served to deepen it. And so, before I get that call from my friend, telling me it's time, I want to be in the delivery room with another mother, to witness someone else's birth. To gauge whether it is even possible to separate my emotions as a mother to my emotions as a photographer (not holding my breath). Not being able to see through the viewfinder on account of the tears will be a problem when I'm in charge of capturing everyone else's tears.

So I'm putting the call out. Expectant mothers! At least the ones due by JUNE and living in MELBOURNE. I'm looking for someone (or someone you know) who would like to have their birth experience documented (for free), whatever your expected delivery - natural or planned c-section. I know many could think of nothing worse, being captured at your most vulnerable, but there are those who really treasure that vulnerability that comes with entering each phase of motherhood, whether it's your first or fifth child. If you're interested, please email me at hello@picturesbytahnee.com. I'd love to hear from you.

photo from here

4 comments:

  1. Oh Tahnee! This is so exciting...and if I didn't already have my impending birth coverage already *ahem* covered (wow I have a way with words) - I'd have you in a heartbeat ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sure you'll be fabulous, and what an amazing experience it'll be :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love one born every minute so much!! I try to force the husband to watch it with me but he doesn't last long!!
    Good luck with it all!

    ReplyDelete
  4. As someone who trained as a Midwife what seems like a life time ago, I love the idea of capturing the journey of birth in this way. I would so be in if I was expecting and living closer to you.
    Good luck Tahnee, from what I have seen so far, your pics are phenomenal.
    Xx

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you, thankyou so much for taking the time to leave a comment x

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...