I know, by reading the title you’re probably thinking this is going to be about pageants. That’s what I would think, too being a former former former (former) pageant girl. Well, nope…it’s about bringing a photographer with you as your bring your baby into this word.

While driving to work on Tuesday, June 19, I was listening to The Bobby Bones Show when Bobby brought up this article in the New York Times. Apparently it’s a growing trend to bring a PAID photographer into the DELIVERY room to snap away as your hee hee whoo whooing to try and capture the “coveted” crown shot. I was dying laughing listening to the banter between Amy, Lunchbox and Bobby and couldn’t help but side with Lunchbox when I say that it’s “DISGUSTING!!!!!!” I don’t have the “Lunchbox grunt” down or anything, but my initial thought was no way no how. They went on to talk about how your perspective probably changes when you have kids, but absolutely nope. I have a two year old and if I’m blessed with another one and am a candidate for VBAC, you better believe the only pictures being taken of my baby coming into the world will be when she’s away from my vag, fresh, clean and in a ridiculous tutu and bow.

Well, as soon as I heard the story, I texted Jessica and Ashlee, since they both delivered naturally (Jessica’s story here and Ashlee’s here) asking if they considered it. This is the text I got back from Jessica, ” LMAO…did the first thing on my phone this am actually have the words “perfect crown shot”???? I need coffee!”Hilarious–she went on to say no, but that her family photographer does them and she’d like to keep her crowning moments private.

Ashlee responded saying that she had a photographer (not a hired professional) in the room to snap away at the beautiful moment and does, in fact, have the coveted crown shot. She goes on to talk about how some are graphic and they aren’t on her coffee table or anything (Uhh..thank God!) but they are something special that she and her husband can glance at if they’re contemplating having another one–haha just kidding, I made that up–she just said they’re special.

So, what do you think about the perfect crown shot? Is it a hell ya or a hellllllll no?

8 COMMENTS

  1. I hired a birth photographer (Michele Anderson of Pinkletoes in Austin) and the images she captured of that day are perfect.  There are no pictures of my vag, as you so eloquently put it … she was up by my head and captured the moments between me and my hubby … and then when the doctor held him up and above the sacred area and when I first held him, etc.  But the best moments captured where when his big sister met and held him for the very first time.  And she got our first family photo just a few hours after the birth.  I don’t have a lick of make-up on and after nine months I was certainly not my normal size … but photography isn’t about perfection … it’s about those moments you want to remember forever.   

    It’s not for everyone … but you should see a few birth images before you make assumptions of those images taken.  There was no crown shot.  There was not vaginal shot.  There was just the birth of my baby boy — an unmedicated VBAC and it was perfect.  And I wished like hell I would have had her for my daughter’s labor and delivery just a few years earlier. 

    • Well that’s different. The article is about hiring photographers specifically for the crown shot. I agree that childbirth is a beautiful moment between a husband, wife and family that should be captured….waist up…if you’re lucky.

      • No it isn’t different.  That is what 95% of birth photographers present to their clients.  If someone want the crown shot that is their choose… so tell me why exactly is an article regarding just “the crown shot” an accurate reflection on what birth photography is about?  One lukewarm reaction from NY Times has generated tons of spin offs from blogs that haven’t done any more research than to read the latest ignorant response to the NY Times.  And now there is this huge misconception about what birth photography is in general.  Everybody is talking about the crown shot.  Would love for someone to give a fresh, honest, genuine perspective taking the big picture into account.

  2. No way no how for me! I delivered naturally and I had my mother in the delivery room to take pictures. She was under specific instructions not to take pictures of me unless it was my face! I would have nightmares seeing myself like that. I also think it was important to my future relationship with my husband (we might want more kids) that he not see that either!! I have wonderful and beautiful pictures of my sweet girl the moment she appeared without showing any ‘personal stuff’!

  3. First of all the picture with the peanuts is hilarious! I have pics of my all 3 of my babies immediately after birth, the pictures with each birth get more “graphic” haha…those were not my specific instructions to the cousin and friend I had photographing my labor/birth, I just said I want a lot of pics. I think they took so many of everything to make sure that I ended up with amazing pictures…and I did. 
    Of course the graphic ones have not been printed, they are just on a cd & computer. I am like probably 99% of women and will find complaints about my body right now…and am super picky about how a photo looks of me, but when I am preggo I embrace it with everything I have and am totally comfortable with my body. That makes me okay with the vag shots, and of course the fact that I don’t show them to anyone.
    While in labor with my last babe {the drug free birth} my husband had my best friend video the birth too. It was not something we discussed and I had no idea {HA I was not paying attention to anything else in the room} but afterwards I was so glad.
    IF we were to have another of our own I already have a friend who is a prof photographer that would definitely be in the room with me.
    LOVE this post Vanessa….you crack me up!

  4. First: hilarious! 
    Second: I’d do it.  Lemme explain…
    As a photographer, I am a firm believer of photographing everything.  From the most mundane moments in your life (that often turn into amazing memories) to the extraordinary (like wedding, birth, first birthday).  A good photographer will communicate what you want, what you’re comfortable with, and what you absolutely don’t want. Some ladies might want the photographer to capture the first time baby opens his eyes (aka possible vag shot), others might not want anything to do with it – and both are totally ok.  The point of “birth photography” is to preserve the memory and the story of baby.  How he got here.  Was it easy? Hard? Long? Older siblings? Did dad cry? So many special moments can happen.  THAT is why I’ll want my experience photographed and why I think it’s important to capture. 🙂

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here