It's Not About the Crotch Shot: Why Mothers Prefer Bonding Photos Over Graphic Labor Close-Ups.
As doulas, we absolutely love the raw, real, and powerful moments of birth.
The intensity, the strength, and even the “super birth-y” and graphic details can tell an incredible story.
But here's the thing—most mothers don’t want those graphic moments photographed or, at the very least, they don’t want to share them online.
Birth is an intimate, sacred experience, and many women prefer to keep those raw moments private or not document them at all.
Instead, they often lean toward sharing the softer, more tender moments of bonding after the baby arrives.
These are the images they want to share with family and friends—the joyful connection between mom, baby, and loved ones.
The Bonding Time is Sacred
Once the baby is born, a magical shift happens. The adrenaline and focus of labor subsides, and the bonding begins.
There’s nothing quite like those first few moments after the baby’s arrival—skin-to-skin contact, the first latch, and the overwhelming flood of love that takes over.
These are the moments when moms feel most present and connected with their babies.
For many parents, this is the time they want to remember through photos—when they can look back and see the calm, the joy, and the connection they had with their little one.
Pro Tip: You can still document some amazing moments in labor. The favorite photos seem to be the ones that show the support and bond between parents.
Feeling and Looking Their Best
Let’s be honest, labor is hard work! It’s messy, intense, and raw. Many mothers don’t feel like having a camera in their face during this vulnerable time. After the baby is born, they’ve had a moment to catch their breath, feel the weight of their child in their arms, and often, they feel more comfortable in front of the camera.
At each birth Mom has turned to me and asked: “Does my hair look ok? I probably look terrible?”.
This is your chance to not only tell her but forever capture that New Mama Glow.
The Key Moments Are After Birth
From a storytelling perspective, the magic really begins after the baby is born.
Just like in a movie, where the buildup and tension of the plot come to a head, we still crave the resolution—the “what happens next?”
In birth, labor is the buildup, the birth - being the peak of the story, but the moments we truly want to savor come after the birth.
The first cries, that initial skin-to-skin contact, introducing the baby to siblings, and parents soaking in the newness of their little one—that’s the heart of the story. And moments when, as a doula, you are most likely to be hands - free.
While doulas may appreciate the raw, powerful intensity of the birth process, most mothers feel a stronger connection to the post-birth moments.
It’s not about the graphic shots of labor, which often remain too intimate to share; it’s the bonding, the family moments, and the first quiet exchanges that mothers want to look back on and cherish forever.
These moments resonate deeply, both personally and as the true resolution to the birth journey.
Easy to Capture, No Added Stress
As a doula, your primary focus is supporting the mother during labor and birth. You can easily capture a few candid shots during labor, but the pressure to photograph every second isn’t necessary.
Post-birth, you can step in with your camera and effortlessly capture the beautiful bonding moments.
So as a doula, it’s crucial to recognize that you don’t need to capture every second of labor to tell a meaningful story. Even just a few video clips or photographs from labor, followed by more focused documentation of the bonding time, can paint a powerful picture.
This is where your photography or videography skills can really shine—capturing the culmination of the journey in a way that families will treasure for years to come.
How Birth Photography Can Elevate Your Doula Business
Offering birth photography as a doula doesn’t mean you have to be a full-fledged photographer.
Just a handful of beautiful, emotional photos from labor, followed by a series of post-birth bonding shots, can provide immense value to your clients. These moments are ones they’ll cherish forever, and by offering this additional service, you’re helping them preserve these memories.
If you’ve been thinking about incorporating photography into your doula services, now is the time!
Our Photo Lessons for Doulas program is designed to guide you through the process, so you can confidently capture these precious moments without feeling overwhelmed.