Nicola Muir Photography - Birth Photography - Welcoming Rowham Williams in to the World - International Home Birth Day

Birth Photography...Wow! Where do I even start!

This is absolutely the most wonderful, awe inspiring and just magical part of my job. It genuinely is such a honour to be asked to capture these most intimate and precious moments for a family. I am in love with every single part of capturing a Birth Story. It is just so frickin exciting! And as it was International Home Birth Day yesterday, I thought I would give you a little insight into this side of my business and tell the story of this sweet family's Home Birth. 

It all starts when Mumma gets in touch and offers me the privilege of being their Birth Photographer. I then skip my way over to meet her and her birth partner(s), to chat about their plans, the environment that they want to create during these moments and the ways in which I can be a part of their experience in a non intrusive, positive and nurturing way.

Mumma's due date goes into my diary and I block out the weeks surrounding that date to be 'On Call'. Being on call means that I need to have my camera kit prepped and with me at all times, that I don't travel too far away from home, my phone remains on loud all day and night, that I have a pet sitter available at short notice and back up photographer friends to cover any bookings that may end up clashing with Mumma's labour, and that I don't do (or consume) anything that would result in me not being able to jump in my car with only a moments notice.

This build up to receiving 'The Call' is such a wonderful, exciting time, checking in with Mumma to see how she's doing, has she had any signs yet, wondering if it will be tonight, how long might her labour last, will the Midwives get there in time, will it be a boy or a girl??? 

When I arrive, I make sure to give Mum and her birth partner as much space as they need. We chat and laugh inbetween contractions, Ill make everyone cups of tea and I'll probably cry at some point (whilst remaining completely professional and 'in the zone' of course)!

I document every little part of your experience, and all of the tiny moments and overwhelming emotions that occur, the back rubs, the hand holding, the pain, the worry, the pile of fresh towels, the playlist, the birth affirmations, the first outfit ready to be worn, the smiles, the tears, the fear and the joy, the strength, the raw and the real.  

So when Charlotte and Stuart contacted me to ask me to capture their Birth Story, I was absolutely thrilled. I had met their lovely family a few times in the past, capturing their (then) youngest's Newborn Portrait Session and various family portraits since then, so it was wonderful to be able to join them to document the next chapter of their family history. 

With three beautiful Daughters already, it was even more exciting to find out that they had kept the gender of their fourth and final baby together, a surprise. 

It was around 4am on the 1st March that I got the call.

Charlotte sounded so incredibly composed, but knowing that she tends to labour very quickly, I knew I had to get there, fast. Within a few minutes I arrived at their home and began taking photographs. Charlotte's lovely Mum was there, along with her husband, Stuart, and their three girls were all tucked up in bed, fast asleep and non the wiser. 

This Mumma showed such incredible strength, remained calm and listened to her body throughout. With Stuart by her side, a complete tower of strength and support to her, which was so very heart warming to witness.

​As she continued to labour in the birthing pool, the room soon filled up with Community Midwives and Paramedics, all to aid the safe arrival of her sweet babe, who was quickly on the way! She laboured for around 2 hours from the time I arrived, before her baby entered this world. And the moment that they were given their baby and saw that he was in fact, A BOY, was a moment that will stay with me. At just over 10lbs, he was a gorgeous, squishy little man, who was to be named Rowhan Eurwyn Williams. 

​After the commotion of his birth, everything calmed down a little. His big sisters woke up and came down to meet him, little man enjoyed some skin to skin and his first feed, Mumma had her tea and toast, selfies were taken and the announcement phone calls were made.

And...I got to have a cuddle!

Please note: Rowhan's Birth Story was captured in 2019 pre Covid times.

Photographing a birth is such an incredible experience and moments that I, as a photographer, as a woman, and as a friend, will cherish and could never forget. And memories, that these families and their little babies will be able to treasure forever and relive as often as they like.

Here's a snipit of Rowhan's wonderful Birth Story, along with some words written by his sweet Mumma about her Birth Photography experience. 

"I had never considered birth photography until I was lucky enough to view a friend's portrait gallery and realised how beautiful and empowering the photographs were. When I found out I was expecting my last child I knew that I wanted to have a photographer present to capture the moment with me, and I plucked up the courage to ask Nicky if she would attend my home birth. I gained more than a gallery of photographs the morning my son was born, she captured precious moments which I would never have seen, I saw emotion, courage and love which could only be seen from the outside. I couldn't have chosen a better person to come into our home, Nicky was calm, considerate and I was so focused on myself that I didn't see her taking pictures. I have a priceless gift captured by Nicky that I can cherish for a lifetime. My only regret is that I didn't have my previous births photographed!" - Charlotte Williams, Rowhan's Mumma.

For more information about my Birth Photography services please scroll down to the bottom of the Newborns page and to enquire about having your Birth Story captured and my availability around your due date, please pop over to the Contact page to send me a message.