The birth space is a truly personal space; one that is often only shared with loved ones and medical professionals. Therefore, making the decision to invite a birth photographer into this space is a huge step to take. You scour the web for birth photographers in your area; you study their work and decide what style you are drawn to. You reach out for package inquiries and share email correspondence back and forth. Now what? Do you take that leap and invite this person into your birth story?

Here are 3 reasons your next step should be interviewing your birth photographer:

1). First impressions matter.

Apply the old saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." In this case, an online portfolio and emails are the cover. Do yourself a favor and read a little further! No matter how great someone seems behind a keyboard and computer screen, sometimes you just do or don't "click" with a person. I have yet to do a birth session without meeting with the client at least once before the actual delivery and, speaking from experience, I can truthfully say that every client I have had the pleasure of working with, I clicked with the moment we met. If we hadn't, it would have been in both of our best interests to say a simple, "Thanks, but no thanks." Your birth space is sacred and making sure you are comfortable with everyone in the room is so important!

2). You see their passion.

Birth photography is something that takes passion and commitment. When you meet with someone who is a birth professional (doulas, midwives, OB's, nurses, etc), you can tell right away that these people genuinely love birth and the birthing experience. It resonates from their voices and stories; they don't hide it and are unashamedly excited about it. No matter how eloquent you are at writing, you just can't convey that through text. If you meet with your birth photographer and don't feel their passion, this may not be the right photographer for you.

Just look at this lovely doula, Rachel, of Enlightened Labors. Tell me that her face doesn't say it all about her passion for birth. Here's what Rachel had to say about being a part of the same birth team: "As a birth doula, presence in the birth sp… — Just look at this lovely doula, Rachel, of Enlightened Labors. Tell me that her face doesn't say it all about her passion for birth. Here's what Rachel had to say about being a part of the same birth team: "As a birth doula, presence in the birth space is so very important. I had the pleasure of working with Cara professionally and she brought a calm and uplifting air in to the client's birth. Not only are her images stunning (and I mean STUNNING) but she added great energy to the space. I can't wait to work with Cara again and will recommend her to all my clients!

3). The conversation is revealing.

No matter how many emails I share with folks who inquire with BBP, its just not the same as face-to-face conversation. So many times, when we are conversing, we end up going completely off topic somehow...and that's great! I very clearly remember meeting with my August birth client (I only take on one birth a month so that I can give that mom-to-be my full attention and time) and suddenly glancing at my phone only to see it had been almost an hour and we were laughing and sharing funny aspects of being the mom of sassy toddler girls. Was it relevant to the consultation? Nope. Did it assure both of us that this was a good fit? Absolutely.

So once you have decided that you do indeed want to invest in birth photography (and you totally should because, well, just look at these beautiful moments below), take that extra time to meet with a few of us. See beyond the price differences and choose the person whose work you love and whose personality you love even more.