Nashville Birth Photographer + Videographer | The Top Questions Families Ask About Birth Videography (And Honest Answers!)

Welcoming your baby into the world is one of the most powerful, emotional experiences of your life. Many families want to remember every precious moment…but also be fully present in it. That’s where birth videography + photography comes in.

If you’ve been thinking about hiring a birth videographer, you probably have questions (lots of them!). Below are the most common questions families ask, along with honest, reassuring answers to help you decide if birth videography is right for you.

What Exactly Does a Birth Videographer Do?

As a birth videographer + photographer, I capture the real, unscripted story of your baby’s arrival…labor, delivery, and those first moments meeting your new baby. I want you to remember how you were supported, what the waves of labor were like for you, and how you overcame all of it for the sake of your child. It is impossible to be the mom in labor and be able to fully experience your birth. You turn inward and as a result, miss out on a lot. This lets you experience it both ways.

Why Hire a Birth Videographer Instead of a Family Member?

While it might seem easier to hand your phone to a partner or relative, or even a doula … but you will need them to be apart of your team. I have seen births where mom expected to people to be able to sit around, but actually everyone was needed. Either for warming the tub or getting towels, etc. Also, if they are taking the video, then they will then be missing from the story.

As a professional birth videographer and photographer, I know how to capture the emotion and beauty of your birth without disrupting the moment. Plus, I use experience, lighting, and editing skills to create a meaningful, high-quality keepsake you’ll treasure forever.

How Is Birth Videography Different From Photography?

Both capture this incredible moment in your life but in different ways. Photography freezes single moments, while video brings them to life with movement and sound: your laughter, your baby’s first cry, your partner’s voice whispering encouragement. Many families choose to have both for a complete memory of the day. Luckily, with me you get photos too!

When Do You Arrive and How Long Do You Stay?

Births don’t run on a schedule! I am to arrive once you’re in active labor around 6-7 cm and stay through the first hour or two after delivery. The goal is to document the full story without rushing….no matter how long your labor lasts.

What If My Birth Is Really Fast (or Really Long)?

Every birth is unique, and flexibility is key. If your labor is short, I will get there as quickly as possible once you call. If it’s long, we stay in touch, pacing coverage to ensure your story is complete without adding stress to your experience.

Do You Film in Hospitals, Birth Centers, and Homes?

As of now, I only offer birth videography and photography to clients having home births or birthing at Vanderbilt Birth Center. I only take 6 births a year.

What’s Your Filming and Editing Style?

My work revolves around the emotional aspects of giving birth rather than the physical. I want to tell the story how you labored, how people supported you. The thoughts that you had and voiced to your team. What they told you and how discussions about your options went. Then, when you finally give birth, the grit you had bringing baby into the world and then meeting your baby and the emotions you had - what you said when you met your baby, how you and your husband reacted to meeting your baby and maybe even finding out it’s gender!

Do You Include Sound in the Film?

Yes, most birth videos include ambient sound…the words of encouragement, laughter, and first cries that make the story feel alive. I love to use alot of audio that significantly enhance the story. Hearing moms and birth team talk really helps to explain what is happening.

How Long Is the Final Video?

Edited films typically range from 5 to 15 minutes..just long enough to relive the emotion without losing focus. It just depends on so many variables, but I make it long enough to tell the story and keep viewers engaged.

How Do You Handle Privacy and Modesty?

This is an area that makes me unique. Im not aiming to capture where the baby exits your body. I don’t actually think that plays a role in the story. We all know where babies come out. I believe the story lies in the emotional connection between you and your husband and the birth team. All of that is where the story is, and THOSE parts will be the parts you want to remember. You’ll be so attached to your birth team and want to relive how incredible they were at getting you through the hardest thing you have ever done.

Will My Video Be Private?

Always. Your video belongs to you. I will never post or share it publicly without your written permission.

When Should We Book a Birth Videographer?

The earlier the better, as I book up and I only take 6 births a year. I don’t take competing due dates. Because I truly want you to have ME at your birth. I want time to meet you and know we are a match prior to booking as well.

In the End: Your Story, Beautifully Remembered

Birth videography isn’t just about recording the day…it’s about preserving the emotions, connections, and strength that define it. Every cry, every squeeze, every tear of joy becomes part of your family’s story. Your kids will see this birth film and it will show them how amazing birth is and how strong mom was and it will shape their idea of birth for their future marriage and births.

When you look back years from now, you won’t just see the moment your baby was born…you’ll feel it all over again.

The Birth of Beckham Ryan

I received Joy's call around 5 AM that it was time to head her way. She lives about 1 hour and 15 mins away from me. Im on the west side of Nashville and she lives east of nashville, so I had worried about traffic... but she went into labor at the most perfect time. No traffic at all. I drove during sunrise to meet her and her birth team at her home. This would be her 2nd home birth and 2nd newborn baby boy. Her country home is truly way out of town. Her beautiful farm house was so peaceful when I arrived, that I decided to include it in her birth film. The sun was coming up and the birds were chirping. It was such a peaceful morning - which ended up being a predictor of exactly how her birth atmosphere would be.Joy was laboring and her doula, Chelsey Fischer, was at her side when I arrived. Occasionally, her husband would swap places. Joy made little noise during this part of her laboring. She just has a quiet nature. You could feel the trust and knowing in the room. That things would be good and beautiful. The word I have used to describe Joy's birth has been PEACE. and I knew I had to find a song that really reflected that and helped you - the reader or viewer - feel that sense of peace we all felt in that room.Her midwives, Nova Birth Services,  were there but giving her plenty of space to labor peacefully. They would check the baby's heart rate occasionally but mainly watched from a distance. I love midwives that just let birth do its thing. This was my first birth with Nova, and I really loved their vibe!During Joy's home birth, her older son was being fed and entertained by a sweet neighbor. But he did come into the room a few times and once to get a shower. I love capturing the entirety of the story. Capturing where he was during that time, him coming in to hug his momma between contractions. As well as him coming out of the shower. And then of course, we filmed him meeting his baby brother! He had the sweetest reaction.Joy began making some small noises and I knew something shifted. She delivered her new baby boy in just a few pushes and she had the most peaceful reaction to his birth. (I'm telling you - the word peace was there the entire time!)Afterwards, the midwives let her and baby just be for a while. Another beautiful part of home birth. They sat in the warm birth tub together and had their first nursing session while letting his cord pulse for a while. A first for me with this birth was the "floating placenta" where the placenta is placed in a little device and just floats in the tub with mom and baby.After some time, they cut the cord and daddy was able to hold Beckham for the first time. I love capturing this moment. He has been patiently watching and waiting and now he gets his moment of REALLY meeting his son for the first time! Such a magical moment.Then they transitioned Joy to the bed and she ate. They all hung out there for a while. And the midwives communicated that she could do that as long as she wanted. and then whenever she was ready, they would weigh baby and do the newborn exam. We all just kind of hung out together for a long time talking and laughing. I love home birth so much.If you are thinking about  having your birth filmed and photographed, I would love to chat with you! 

The Birth of Beckham Ryan | June 9, 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.