Atlanta Birth Center is Now Open!
Atlanta Birth Center is OPEN!!!!!
What an honor to attend the very first birth at the very first birth center in Atlanta! So many people have been working on opening a birth center for many years, so it was a little surreal to actually be there last week. I was honored to be asked to photograph the first birth center birth, and to be part of such an amazing group of women who believe that birth is normal.
As I drove home that night I was trying to come up with words to describe what I saw--not the birth itself, because each and every birth I witness is unique and amazing, but the location...What makes the Birth Center different than birthing in a hospital?
The first word that kept rolling around in my head was "quiet," quickly followed by "peaceful..." By nature hospitals are busy, loud places with strangers coming and going. At the Birth Center it was just the family, the Midwives, the nurse, the Doula, and me (the birth photographer). And that's it. There isn't a cleaning staff coming in to change the trash, or administrative staff bringing papers to sign. Instead it was like being in someone's home. It was quiet, and peaceful.
Another word that came to mind was "dark"--which as you can imagine, isn't a great word for a birth photographer!...But it was also bright. What I mean, is, there were plenty of lamps on, but no fluorescent lights. So it was perfect, like a homebirth.
I am really excited that Atlanta families now have Atlanta Birth Center as an option. It is perfect for families who do not want to birth in a hospital, but at the same time do not want a home birth.
This family was very generous and gave me permission to share their birth story.
Why hire a birth photographer?
Choosing to have a birth photographed is a deeply personal decision that offers a unique way to capture one of life's most profound moments. Firstly, birth photography preserves the raw, emotional, and powerful experience of bringing a new life into the world. The anticipation, the strength, the tears of joy, and the first moments of meeting the new baby are moments that pass quickly but are incredibly meaningful. Professional photography allows parents to look back on these moments and relive the emotions and beauty of the birth process.
Secondly, having a birth photographed provides a narrative of the day that goes beyond the capabilities of memory. In the intensity of labor and delivery, parents may not remember every detail. A birth photographer captures the atmosphere of the room, the supportive gestures of loved ones, and the quiet, intimate moments that might otherwise be forgotten. These images create a comprehensive story of the birth, documenting every significant moment from labor to the first bonding moments with the baby.
Finally, birth photography can be a source of empowerment and celebration. Seeing the photographs afterward allows parents, especially mothers, to witness their own strength and resilience. It highlights the incredible journey they went through and the support system around them. For families, these photographs become cherished heirlooms, celebrating the start of a new chapter and the enduring love that surrounds the birth of a child. It's a powerful way to honor and remember the experience, turning fleeting moments into lasting memories.
Birth Photography is a niche within documentary family photography that I am passionate about. In 2018 I joined up with two other birth photographers to create The Birth Story Collective, and you can see our work and find out more here: www.thebirthstorycollective.com