I am so excited to introduce Renee Bergeron of Little Earthling Photography!!!!! I was lucky enough to meet Renee two summers ago when she and her daughter Tilly came to Houston seeking medical help for her son Apollo.
I had read Apollo's birth story while pregnant with The Boonga and was both terrified (I hadn't even known that "cord prolapse" was even an option, much less a life threatening situation) and in complete awe that she had saved her own child's life.
I came to respect Renee more and more as I got to know her better. I'm sure Renee has her down days like all other earthlings, but the life she leads is so very giving. You should definitely check out her family blog if you're into the daily life of amazing people!
So...without further ado...here are Renee's tips on birth photography! I know she makes it look incredibly tempting, but try not to all run out and get pregnant at once folks! She's got fourteen kids of her own to raise, after all, and can only be so many places at one time!
*******~~~*******~~~*******~~~*******
Birth photography was something of a happy coincidence for me. I had been photographing families and newborns for a couple of years when I photographed my first birth. I mustered up the courage to ask a young woman from our church if I could photograph her birth…and amazingly, she said yes!
That first birth I really had no idea what I was doing or what to expect, but I enjoyed every single minute.
After that first birth, I was hooked and I now specialize in birth photography. I am energized at every single birth I attend. I will never get over the sheer miracle of seeing a baby enter the world and take his or her first breath.
That first birth I really had no idea what I was doing or what to expect, but I enjoyed every single minute.
After that first birth, I was hooked and I now specialize in birth photography. I am energized at every single birth I attend. I will never get over the sheer miracle of seeing a baby enter the world and take his or her first breath.
I have photographed nearly two dozen births. I have witnessed home births, birth center births, hospital births and even a c-section.
I love these photos of mom and soon-to-be last moments as the “baby” of the house.
A sibling’s first look at the new baby
No words can adequately describe a woman’s feelings the moment her baby is in her arms. But with my camera, I can freeze that moment in time.
4. Tiny details
Every single time I attend a birth I marvel over the fact that I have the best job in the world.
Here are a few of my favorite moments to capture during a birth:
1. Older siblings
I love these photos of mom and soon-to-be last moments as the “baby” of the house.
A sibling’s first look at the new baby
I love this image of Daddy occupying his little girls as they await the birth of their sister.
2. The mom’s first reaction
No words can adequately describe a woman’s feelings the moment her baby is in her arms. But with my camera, I can freeze that moment in time.
3. Dad’s interactions with his new baby
4. Tiny details
Just look at those itty-bitty buns!
And those little fingers…still wrinkly and wet!
5. Details I know the parents will miss
Just look at that amazing umbilical cord! After the hard work of labor, parents want to see their baby’s face, but I love capturing these details for them to admire later.
I take a very definite photojournalistic approach to birth photography. I don’t pose; I don’t rearrange. I try to be a silent observer and capture the raw, unfiltered moments.
**********
More in the"Tips for Improving Your Photography" Series:
Dark Shadows: Using Natural Light Indoors by Anne Oliver
Letting Your Kids Call the Shots: Tips on Getting Great Photos of Your Kids by Meg Kelly Anderson
Food Photography: Helping Food Look as Good as it Tastes by Valerie Laramee
Five Tips for Better Images: Without Buying Stuff! by Megan Love
Getting Your Kids in the Picture: The Subtle Differences Between Bribes, Threats, and Good Natured Cajolling by Me and reposted here
Shared or to be shared on:
19 comments:
Renee, your words and these photos you shared here truly touched me deeply! Your an exceptional woman, and so giving of yourself.
Jill, Thank you for this blog....and the stories of these special photographers share and of course their marvelous work!
Thank you Nancy! And don't worry! I already knew that you knew the difference between "your" and "you're" even before you told me! Because how else would you have even passed the grammar test I give to people who are about to comment on my blog?!?!?!? :-) :-) :-)
That was a lovely read. I was transported back to the BAs arrival. Unfortunately my photos are not quite as glamorous
as these :-)
Beautiful photos! My kids were born several years ago, and we only have a few photos from that time. I am sure that these photos will be cherished memories.
Arizaphale & Pam,
I don't have pretty photos from any of my kids' births either. I would really as few people as possible. I did let my husband come in though. :-)
Oh wow those photos are amazing! I don't know if I would feel comfortable having anyone photograph my birth experience, but those are some moments you don't want to ever forget.
Wow! I love how you shoot pictures without posing. Seeing things as they naturally flow is so much more "comfortable".
I'm sure your clients have appreciated your gift of photography and what it's brought to their families.
Bonnie
www.bonniesheartandhome.com
Renee, these are such beautiful pictures. I've always loved pictures in black and white I think it just captures the moment and the people so much better. Your caption under the photos are moving. Makes child birth and pregnancy less painful and more rewarding and worth it. Thank you for sharing.
Such lovely photos!
Oh be still my heart!!!
Hello! Beautiful captures! Raw and natural. I love it!
Isn't Renee GREAT Bonnie, Jazzmine, Bekah, Lynn, & Vashti!!!!! I am SO lucky to share her post here! :-)
Awesome photos! Unforgettable moments captured. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Lisa!
I get choked up just looking at these. I had a photographer (even if it was my sister in law who has no experience) at each of my births. I would also be really interested in doing birth photography, but I just don't know how I would be able to guarantee that I could be there at short notice for an unforeseen length of time. So I've never pursued it. Maybe someday.
These are absolutely amazing shots and I think we ( as a general population) need to see much more of this kind of thing. Birth is an amazing powerful moment and all to often still shrouded in secrecy and surrounded by horror stories when is fact for most humans it is a natural, normal state of events
Mollyxxx
This is definitely an eclectic area!
To think there are those who can witness such moments and yet not believe in God.
Astonishing.
http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2014/08/drip-drip-with-linky.html
Great photos.
Post a Comment