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This was such a sweet birth! Dad was so tender and attentive to this mama, offering her sips of water, calming words and his strong physique for her to ground herself with. The midwives were so calm and respectful, and this little one emerged with such sweet gentleness! Big sister was enamored with her new baby- soaking her in from the familiar sanctuary of her mother's arms. Another beautiful, successful, home water birth. What an honor it was to be included in this sweet and sacred event!
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By Seana Berglund Photography (707) 291-0989 Babymoonbirthservices.com https://www.facebook.com/Doula.Seana What to wear? What not to wear? What colors are best? In general, the darker the color, the better it looks in birth photos. This means white is pretty much out of the club! The severe highlights in white can make your photos look blown out, even with proper settings being utilized on my camera. White is also very unforgiving to the fluids (and sometimes solids) naturally abundant at all births. If you are at home, you will have more control over what color the linens/towels/blankets are. If you can afford to, I recommend purchasing a set of dark colored washcloths, towels, sheets, and baby blankets. Baby hats are distracting and unnecessary unless baby is truly hypothermic (rare if skin to skin with mama or partner) and are best left off baby's head whenever possible in the first hours after birth. Bright reds, yellows and oranges can add a sense of chaos to the otherwise dreamy color palette of your birth. It can be distracting when dad or siblings are holding your new baby wearing nearly neon clothing! I am not opposed to nudity whatsoever, and it is most important that you feel comfortable and unconfined during your birth process. However, if being nude in photographs is a concern, a black sports bra is a simple article of clothing that can both preserve modesty and comfort during labor. If at any point you feel uncomfortable in clothing and wish to remove it, I will always do my absolute best to artfully conceal private areas. Great colors to consider are browns, medium to dark blues, medium to dark purples, dark greens, black, and deep, burnt oranges. I love small pops of color, in the form of rings, necklaces, or candles/decor. This always adds a personal flair and lovely dimension to your photos. These can be any color you please! Should I pose? Absolutely not! Candids are what makes your birth story honest and unique. Very rarely I will ask dad or other support person to hold a pose they are already naturally assuming, if it is just so perfect I cannot let it go. Mom is never aware of this and I am very discreet in asking. I want you to forget I am there, and I will do my best to disappear into the woodwork, so to speak. Intense emotions are a given when it comes to birth, no matter how one chooses or ends up birthing. It is very emotional for everyone involved, and I love to capture those timeless moments for you to treasure forever! If you feel like you want to cry, don't hold it back! If you are overwhelmed with gratitude and relief when you are finally holding that sweet baby in your arms, let it show! Too often in our society we push our feelings down. When you and your loved ones look through you photos I want to you see what you were feeling, in that moment. When we let it show, we have a more rich, deep connection with our experience and memories-forever! Vulnerability is a critical and powerful part of the birth experience for you and your partner, whether photos are involved or not. Again, try to forget I am there, and just let it all hang out. Part of the reason I am here to photograph your birth is so your partner can be 100% present with you in the moment. After attending births for the last 7 years, I can say with all honesty that being behind the camera during a birth is not the same as being at the birth, it's more like watching it on TV. The difference is quite profound. What about the MOMENT? How can I get the most out of that? This is where communication with your care provider is key. You can ask that they simply slow down a smidge when bringing the baby up to your chest, if they are willing. If you are having a waterbirth, allowing the baby to come out completely on their own into the water, then be lifted up and out slowly, not only ensures a gentle, kind transition for your sweet baby, but a chance for me to capture those milliseconds of transitional magic, where baby is still, quite literally, between worlds. Communication with loved ones is crucial here too. If I am stationed either at the foot or head of your delivery space, and poised to capture the *moment* it's important that your loved ones realize I am there, and do not pop an excited head between my camera and the action! There is usually plenty of space for everyone to get a great seat, so to speak. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me and we can schedule a consultation either over the phone or in person. Warmly, Seana So, I recently "launched" a new photo project called Daughters Of Eve. Basically, it's a whimsical twist on regular newborn photography. I want to have one "outfit" per set of photos that is a bit offbeat; magical, if you will.  For Lily, I used deep, rich colors with the pop of a dazzling tiara. Her photo is somewhat reminiscent of Snow White, to me... would love to try this scene again with boy/girl twins so I can have a darling dwarf as well!  She was so lovely and went right along with my plan, bless her little heart.  Look at her, fuzzy little peach! I really wanted to keep her.  Sweetest snugglebug.  Between our posed shots, I snapped a few lifestyle photos of mom nursing and rocking her baby.  There is something so beautiful about a fresh postpartum belly to me. It's so recently hollow that you can still see that something extraordinary has taken place. Sort of like the remnants left behind after a birth of a star. Just poetry to the eyes... lovely.
Hope to see them both again for Lily's 6 month photos..it will be here before we know it. :) This past week I was blessed to have the honor of photographing this gorgeous pair enjoying an herbal bath. Baby girl was loving this skin to skin time with her mama, nursing, cuddling, and finally floating blissfully in the fragrant waters. What a sweet and tender time to soak up the ever-fleeting moments of newborn life! Baby is ten days old, and changing by the hour. Thank you Christina for inviting me into this sacred space!       |
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