Mothers Hiring Professional Birth Photographers: Reasonable or Ridiculous?

Forget the days of dad or other family members snapping photos in the delivery room. Now, a growing number of women are turning to professional photographers to document the miracle of childbirth.

In recent years, the birth photography industry has really taken off. They even have their own professional organization, the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers, which has roughly 400 members.

According to The New York Times, professional birth photographers charge anywhere from $700 to $1,900. That’s pretty pricey. But then again, these photographers do have to be available to come rushing to the hospital at a moment’s notice.

So, you may be wondering: How graphic do these birth photos actually get? Apparently, that’s a pretty common question.

Briana Kalajian, a co-owner of Shoots and Giggles Photography, told The New York Times, “People will ask if I’m going to take the National Geographic birth photo. They ask it in 10 different ways.”

The answer: During delivery, most photographers choose to stand near the mother’s head unless a crowning shot is specifically requested.

Dr. Randi Hutter Epstein, author of “Get Me Out: A History of Childbirth from the Garden of Eden to the Sperm Bank,” blames celebrity culture for the desire to turn childbirth into a photo shoot.

“There is a lot of pressure to not just cherish the birth experience but to promote it as this beautiful thing,” she said. “Then you’re going to get into your skinny jeans the next day and have a beautiful photograph of you looking absolutely beautiful and well rested with your perfect-looking baby, like all the celebrities.”

Now before you run off to find a professional birth photographer of your own, please keep in mind that many hospitals ban cameras from the delivery room.

So Sodaheads, what do you think about mothers hiring professional birth photographers? Reasonable or ridiculous?