You might’ve seen me post about this on Instagram recently, but it’s still been on my mind—because it’s just so...misguided.

Some photographers have started marketing their Fresh 48 sessions as “an alternative to birth photography.” They claim birth is too "exhausting and private" to have someone "hovering" with a camera, and that their way is better—more respectful, more comfortable, less… invasive.

But let’s get real.

Fresh 48 and birth photography are not the same.

And when we treat them like interchangeable options, it’s new moms who lose out.

Let me be clear: I love a Fresh 48 session.

Those first few days when your baby is still brand new, before you've even taken them home? The wrinkly toes, the fuzzy shoulders, the milk-drunk snuggles, the excited grandparents and wide-eyed siblings?

Magical. 100% worth capturing.

But here's the thing: Fresh 48 is not birth photography. Not even close. And it’s doing new moms a huge disservice when we pretend it is.

If you’ve ever thought, "Well, I don’t know if I want someone there for the birth—maybe just after…" then keep reading. Because I am breaking down three major myths about birth photography I see floating around—and help you feel informed enough to make a choice you won’t regret later.

Look, I get it. There are definitely some birth spaces where it could feel that way—especially if someone points a flash directly at you or starts directing you mid-contraction like it’s a wedding shoot.

But here’s the thing: hospital births aren’t always as private as people assume. Often, the OB you carefully chose only shows up at the very end to catch your baby and repair any tears. Students, scrub techs, anesthesia, nurses for mom and nurses for baby—it’s not uncommon to have a bunch of people show up that you’ve never met, especially right as your baby is about to emerge and you’re at your most (spread eagle) vulnerable.

Ironically, your birth photographer might be the only person in the room that you’ve actually had a conversation with before labor began. I’ve had clients tell me they felt safer having me there—like someone had their back, someone who wasn’t going to leave at shift change.

And even if you choose a home birth or a super private experience with just you and your partner—yep, I’ve attended those too—this myth still doesn’t hold up. A good birth photographer knows how to blend into the background, hold space without disrupting it, and read the energy of the room without needing to say a word.

This isn’t about posing or performing. It’s about quietly documenting the most powerful moments of your life without interfering in them.

The right photographer won’t make you feel watched. They’ll make you feel witnessed. And that's a big difference.

Honestly? Yeah. You’ll look like you're having/just had a baby.

And that’s kind of the point.

If you tend to be self-conscious in photos, this session might bring up some insecurities—just like any other session might. But not because you don’t look good. It's because these images are raw, real, and full of emotion.

And they show you in a moment of transformation. That messy, sweaty, powerful version of you?

She’s a damn GODDESS.

Birth photography isn’t about looking like a model. It’s a documentary session—it’s about capturing what actually happened, how it felt, and how strong you were. (And let’s be honest, a pro birth photographer knows how to find better angles than your partner will with their phone held upside down in a panic.)

Most clients say they see themselves completely differently after seeing their birth photos. Not in a “ugh, I looked so tired” way—But in a “holy crap, I did that” kind of way.

Totally! They can. And if that's what is best for you and your birth, go for it! I'm even working on some FREE stuff for you to make those photos even better (Shoot me a message to find out more!)

But here's something to consider: do you want them to spend your entire birth worried about camera settings and angles?

Or would you rather they be in the moment with you—holding your hand, whispering encouragement, catching your baby? Birth photography isn’t just about the photos. It’s about the space it creates for your partner to actually be present. Letting someone else document everything means your partner gets to be part of the story… instead of trying to document it.

And hiring a pro for that...means that the photos will capture not just random snapshots - but the whole story and the emotion in each moment.

So what's the real difference between Birth & Fresh 48?

Fresh 48 captures your baby after they’re born. Birth photography captures how they got here.

Fresh 48 shows sleepy cuddles and proud siblings. Birth photography shows strength, power, vulnerability, love, connection, and triumph.

They’re both beautiful.

They’re just not the same.

And if you’re worried about someone being “in your face” while you’re laboring?

That’s why it’s so important to hire someone who knows the birth space—who gets how to hold space, not take it over. That’s where a doulatog (hi, it’s me 👋🏼) makes all the difference. I know when to melt into the background, when to support, and when to press the shutter. So if you’ve been wondering if birth photography is "invasive" or awkward - maybe you’ve just never seen it done the right way.

📲 Know someone who’s pregnant and unsure about hiring a birth photographer? Share this post with them. It might help them make a decision they’ll never regret. You can’t recreate those moments later. You either have them—or you don’t.