Why you should still plan to hire a photographer to document your story, even NOW | Sierra Shawn | Ithaca New York
That is a really heavy title right, well it is still really important to document these moments. I will continue to say that seeing yourself birth heals something within you. Being able to look at pictures from a time that can feel hazey in your mind is truly a gift. I can tell you that I can feel more of the feelings and remember much more from Mason’s birth than Maggie’s (I will also note that is definitely from a lot the epidural I got during my labor with Maggie) What I do remember is a whole lot of feelings around not feeling supported, or listened too, but that is not why I am writing this blog today. Its to tell you that these moments you get… the are happening and then they are gone.
No matter what this pandemic craziness is scary for sure, and honestly as a business I can be fined for shooting…. but I question what is essential. For some women, having someone come and photograph their home birth is essential, maybe she has tried for many years and knows that this will be healing for her.. OR maybe she is just insanely in love with birth photography that its important to her. I am not here saying I am out here photographing all the births (I have been to one since FEB, I wasn’t allowed into the first birth in march - and then quarantine hit) or all the sessions. I am here for my clients, so I am trying to make sure they know that I want to still support them, even when I am not allowed back.. SO things are shifting, and being pushed back if they can be. I am hoping that social distancing will kind of fade, and I will be allowed back into the birth space… BUT no one really knows what is going to happen, things are changing daily.
Even through all of this, what is most important to you. Your family, loved ones.. the ones you wouldn’t want to spend a day without.. Its them, and cherishing these moments, being able to look back on them all with your children, their children, and maybe if your lucky… their children (does that happen for anyone else… Like Maggie has three great grandmothers, two great grandfathers, and a great great grandfather still alive - who all adore her and love her to pieces. Maggie loves going to my Mom’s moms for Christmas because she gets to see so many old pictures of us when we were all younger. I can tell you that not only does my grandma (her great grandma) love to show her, but her Oma (my mom) loves it sooo much as well. Its something they get to share, its beautiful and making me cry thinking about it.
Actually I need to tell you this quarantine story… Maggie found my old scrap book my mom made me from when I graduated high school… and she was taking the pages out and wanting to use the stickers - then she began asking me all the questions about the pictures in it. Pictures truly hold the key to the past.. LETS REMEMBER TO BE IN THEM! That’s why you should sill hire a photographer to document all your life stories, even know, even with the uncertainty.
NOW LETS TALK SESSIONS - honestly, as photographers do not have to get close. I have watched some amazing photogs doing the front porch sessions during this quarantine. Which I LOVE THOSE! I have a session scheduled with my kids! I am super excited! ❤ I honestly never read or heard of anything specific saying we as photographers can’t work - BECAUSE WHO DETERMINES IF THIS IS ESSENTIAL?! I know lots of moms that think having their newborn photos done is still essential or maybe even their maternity session and not having to rely on their significant other taking a good photo with their phone —- NOTE:: there are some amazing tutorials on how to do this, I have the MASTERCLASS available as well for you to get my top tips for photographing your birth/fresh 48.. You can use these tips to take better photos just in general.
NOW LETS TALK BIRTH - basically we have no idea (we as in extra support people!) will be allowed in the birth room at hospitals. I am working with local home birth midwives to know what they would like from me to be able to be at the birth. Other than that, I am happy to come to your home after birth, or a few days after - again this is definitely, more for when the government says they wont fine me for working. I know the healing that can come from these images, and the love that will be cherished.
NOW I WANT YOU TO TELL ME…. Are having your moments photographed essential to you and your life?!