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.

Nashville Birth Photographer | Should I hire a photographer who doubles as a doula?

I gave birth to my 2nd son in 2012, and had a doula and a midwife at my birth at Vanderbilt hospital in Nashville, TN. I loved them both and could not imagine my birth without them. My doula, made a HUGE difference in my labor pains. In fact, when she left to go to the bathroom, I was so upset she wasn't working on my back because it made such a difference and I had a contraction while she was in there.I also had a filmmaker at my birth and have been obsessed with my birth film since. It is absolutely one of my most treasured possessions.There is no way I could have had one person fill these roles. Each one had their own very complex job that required a lot of brain work and I could not have gone through a contraction without my doula, and therefore, she also could not have been photographing and or videoing my birth for me.Years later, as I have stepped into the role of Birth Videographer and photographer, I have seen sweet well meaning people in the industry of birth, offer both as a package. I have explored this idea for myself and also what my opinion of it was. I have talked to mothers who have had doulas and I have spoken to many birth workers themselves and they all say the same thing... One person cannot do both jobs well. I have also heard from birth workers that they have witnessed these individuals in person and that they were not able to be there for the client as a birth support because they were too busy trying to capture their birth. I have a friend who is both a doula and a birth photographer, she said she offered the combo twice and that "it was terrible" and so she never offered the combination again. She made them hire her for one or the other and then hire another person.You, are the mother. This is YOUR birth. This is your choice. But because it is so important for the birth space and experience, I felt compelled to share my thoughts in a blog. I will never put the ability to book clients because I sold them a package deal to beat my competition or to make my brand look better, over the ability to provide the BEST footage of their birth. My clients come first, not my profits. But also, I do not know the intentions of these sweet meaning people and have no idea why they decided to offer both. My only assumption is to provide a package deal. But if the package deal does not serve the client, then it should not be offered.To learn more about Documenting Birth, click here.