I got a good speed light and set up a BFT and it worked really well. As I'm still learning, this was a god send. The hospital in our area approves of photographers and flash. But I was careful to discuss it with the support team and even showed it to them in advance and it was an easy yes. Thank you so much for your tips! Just did my first birth and it was a ride for sure! I loved it. Now if only I didn't already have a full time job, I'd do this for a living in a heart beat. What magic! Tip for the photographer: take breaks, get sleep and keep hydrated. Sometimes these things take a lot longer than expected when labor stalls. What I figured would take me 4-8 hours based upon her progress, took over 24 as labor stalled multiple times. And this hospital was about an hour from home, so I just stayed on site and napped in my car when the mother was napping. I'm glad I packed a change of clothes, toothbrush & paste, and deodorant, you know...just in case.
I have a flash that was gifted to me awhile ago...but I haven't learned how to use it yet! (Working on that part). I think I would offer both with and without flash, just in case. I love how much more crisp images are with it though! Thanks for the video, it was so helpful! I'm just going to binge watch all of them now...
The Beauty in Birth, by Tavia Redburn I did... I watched them all haha (I’m working on watching the actual birth videos you have on here now...am i the only one who cries every.single.time?? 😂)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!! So excited that there is a birth photo channel!!💕😍 I just started using flash after attending a workshop, still getting used to it. I have not tried the BFT!
I just shot my first birth and was lucky enough to get some beautiful photos in low light due to have a really good camera and lens. But I sure lost a lot of quality once one of the main lights was switched off. I'll definitely be trying your foam trick with my flash and said to myself that Ill be talking to all future clients about using flash to get a more sharp and beautiful photo. Thanks for your tips. So helpful!
Amazing video! Flash scares me anytime because I’m not a photographer and always looks terrible 🤣 I don’t think a mom would notice or care right at that moment 🙌 😘😘😘
Thanks for the tips! I wanted to respond by saying that I recently purchased a MagMod to be able to use in many scenarios (my upcoming birth as one of them). I will have to somehow practice with it to see what it'll be like beforehand but it was good to know about the black foam though. I didn't realize I would need to direct the light more rather than lighting the whole room. Do you have any examples of less directional light (like with a MagMod) or have you always shot with the black foam? Thanks!
Yes! A few things: Make sure your handle can handle a high ISO and I would max that out before sacrificing a slow shutter speed or too wide an aperture. If it's very very dark, ask the birth team about turning on a bathroom light or nearby light that won't be directly in the room mom is in. Lastly, stand on the side of the available light. So if your available light is the bathroom light stand near the bathroom and then shoot over towards mom (as opposed to shooting INTO the light, if that makes sense). hope this helps!
I really want to use flash but in South Africa it is a really big no no in the hospitals. IN the homebirth industry it is better and we can discuss more with the clients as you said. So its a bit of a up and down issue here.
Hey! I have rebel T5i and just a standard lense and a 50mm. I am a newbie and my friend is having a baby at the end of the month. Do you think a flash is my way to go? (She said she was okay with it)
We actually have an entire module on lighting in my birth photography certification, but the short answer is bounce it on a nearby wall and make sure to NEVER point it directly at your subject. Hope this helps!
I’m coming at this from the perspective of a birthing mom, not a photographer: when flash was used at my birth, I didn’t even notice it. Obviously not all moms are the same, but the majority of us aren’t going to bat an eye at a split-second flash of light when we’re laboring/pushing/holding our new baby. We literally don’t care. I thought it would bother me, but I didn’t even notice. So for everyone saying “absolutely not” because they don’t want to mess with the birthing environment, I’ll attest that it won’t ruin anything. Most importantly, it will improve the photos you’re going to hand your client, and those are what she really wants!
I don't use flash. The reason I don't is because I have been through natural childbirth with 6 of my 7 kids and I am always in such a zone, I think someone using flash would have been really disruptive to my laboring process. Have you found that your clients are more or less bothered by flash depending on if it's an unmedicated birth or a medicated one?
Hahaha I love it. First of all thank you for taking the time to share your experience as a mom and a photographer! It's funny because we have a lot of moms who have natural birth and don't mind the flash. However I make sure to OVER communicate to them that if at any point it bothers them to please let us know and we won't use it anymore! Communication is key here! Hope this offers something :)
Tell me in the comments, do you use flash at births??
Do you have a video that teaches how to use flash?
@@audreygarrish8915 would also love this!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING on Thursday Tavia!
I got a good speed light and set up a BFT and it worked really well. As I'm still learning, this was a god send. The hospital in our area approves of photographers and flash. But I was careful to discuss it with the support team and even showed it to them in advance and it was an easy yes. Thank you so much for your tips! Just did my first birth and it was a ride for sure! I loved it. Now if only I didn't already have a full time job, I'd do this for a living in a heart beat. What magic! Tip for the photographer: take breaks, get sleep and keep hydrated. Sometimes these things take a lot longer than expected when labor stalls. What I figured would take me 4-8 hours based upon her progress, took over 24 as labor stalled multiple times. And this hospital was about an hour from home, so I just stayed on site and napped in my car when the mother was napping. I'm glad I packed a change of clothes, toothbrush & paste, and deodorant, you know...just in case.
I have a flash that was gifted to me awhile ago...but I haven't learned how to use it yet! (Working on that part). I think I would offer both with and without flash, just in case. I love how much more crisp images are with it though! Thanks for the video, it was so helpful! I'm just going to binge watch all of them now...
Naomi, comments like yours light me up!! Thank you so much, I'm glad it was helpful! I hope you enjoyed binge watching :)
The Beauty in Birth, by Tavia Redburn I did... I watched them all haha (I’m working on watching the actual birth videos you have on here now...am i the only one who cries every.single.time?? 😂)
Great information! Thank you!
Sure thing! :) thanks for watching!
Just had my first home birth...flash was a must for the dark home...The Black Foam Thingy was perfect!! Thanks so much for this suggestion!
YEAH!! You’re so welcome! I’m glad to hear it went well! 👏🏼
Where did you find your foam? I haven’t been able to find it locally!
Tavia I'll definitely be giving this a try next time I use flash! Thank you for the tips!
Erika Brown yay! You’re so welcome, thanks for watching ☺️
First birth session within the next few weeks! And I have my batteries and bft ready! Thank you for your help.
Michelle Cahal yay!! Best of luck! My pleasure! ❤️
I started with no flash but now moving towards using it.
I have used flash with the diffuser attachment but I like the BFT and I will definitely do some experimenting with it.
Awesome! Let me know how you like it!!
Yes I do !! Every time !
What is the best flash to buy? I have a canon 6d!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!! So excited that there is a birth photo channel!!💕😍 I just started using flash after attending a workshop, still getting used to it. I have not tried the BFT!
Evelyn Torres yay! I’m happy you’re here!! Let me know what you think when you try it out 🥰
Do you have tips on where to aim your light?
I just shot my first birth and was lucky enough to get some beautiful photos in low light due to have a really good camera and lens. But I sure lost a lot of quality once one of the main lights was switched off. I'll definitely be trying your foam trick with my flash and said to myself that Ill be talking to all future clients about using flash to get a more sharp and beautiful photo. Thanks for your tips. So helpful!
Yay! Sorry this comment is so delayed, but I'm thrilled you found this video helpful! :)
I have used flash during the 2 births I have done. Some I liked, some I didn't. Want to try more with it, maybe I need to try you BFT! LOL!
What are the differences between using the BFT instead of a snoot or barndoors? I’m new to flash.
Amazing video! Flash scares me anytime because I’m not a photographer and always looks terrible 🤣 I don’t think a mom would notice or care right at that moment 🙌 😘😘😘
Pregnancy and Postpartum TV thanks girl, that means a lot coming from you!! ❤️ thanks for watching!
Thanks for the tips! I wanted to respond by saying that I recently purchased a MagMod to be able to use in many scenarios (my upcoming birth as one of them). I will have to somehow practice with it to see what it'll be like beforehand but it was good to know about the black foam though. I didn't realize I would need to direct the light more rather than lighting the whole room. Do you have any examples of less directional light (like with a MagMod) or have you always shot with the black foam? Thanks!
What is the difference between the black foam and a soft box?
Any tips when flash is not an option Tavia?
Yes! A few things: Make sure your handle can handle a high ISO and I would max that out before sacrificing a slow shutter speed or too wide an aperture. If it's very very dark, ask the birth team about turning on a bathroom light or nearby light that won't be directly in the room mom is in. Lastly, stand on the side of the available light. So if your available light is the bathroom light stand near the bathroom and then shoot over towards mom (as opposed to shooting INTO the light, if that makes sense). hope this helps!
Which canon speed light model do you use?
I really want to use flash but in South Africa it is a really big no no in the hospitals. IN the homebirth industry it is better and we can discuss more with the clients as you said. So its a bit of a up and down issue here.
hi, I would love to know if you shoot in TTL or in general what settings you would set your flash to for a hospital birth?
Hey! I have rebel T5i and just a standard lense and a 50mm. I am a newbie and my friend is having a baby at the end of the month. Do you think a flash is my way to go? (She said she was okay with it)
If you have enough time to practice beforehand, I say yes!
No but I'm on the hunt for a flash now!
Yay! I love my Canon Speedlites (if you're a Canon user) or Godox! :)
@@taviaredburn good to know, I have a Sony A7II and can't wait to see how the flash will help with the quality of my photos.
Do you have a tutorial on how to bounce it? Or is just point it away from the subject in any direction?
We actually have an entire module on lighting in my birth photography certification, but the short answer is bounce it on a nearby wall and make sure to NEVER point it directly at your subject. Hope this helps!
@@taviaredburn where can I find the tutorial on your lighting
No, don’t use flash. Some hospitals around here have said “no flash photography”
Stephanie D That’s too bad that they put that restriction on you! :(
What kind of flash do you use?
Hey girl! I use a Canon Speedlite!
I have a nikon d3400 camera, is there a specific speedlight to purchase
How many pics do you have at the end of the session? For instance how many just in the labor room?
id love to know this too
I have flash covers that I ordered from a Wish app
Awesome!
I’m coming at this from the perspective of a birthing mom, not a photographer: when flash was used at my birth, I didn’t even notice it. Obviously not all moms are the same, but the majority of us aren’t going to bat an eye at a split-second flash of light when we’re laboring/pushing/holding our new baby. We literally don’t care. I thought it would bother me, but I didn’t even notice. So for everyone saying “absolutely not” because they don’t want to mess with the birthing environment, I’ll attest that it won’t ruin anything. Most importantly, it will improve the photos you’re going to hand your client, and those are what she really wants!
Laura, thank you SO much for weighing in on this!! I'm so happy your experience was a positive one!
- Tavia
I don't use flash. The reason I don't is because I have been through natural childbirth with 6 of my 7 kids and I am always in such a zone, I think someone using flash would have been really disruptive to my laboring process. Have you found that your clients are more or less bothered by flash depending on if it's an unmedicated birth or a medicated one?
I just saw that I'm logged in as my husband. My husband has not given birth to our children. :)
Hahaha I love it. First of all thank you for taking the time to share your experience as a mom and a photographer! It's funny because we have a lot of moms who have natural birth and don't mind the flash. However I make sure to OVER communicate to them that if at any point it bothers them to please let us know and we won't use it anymore! Communication is key here! Hope this offers something :)
What lens do you recommend??
Get a 50mm 1.2 prime. It handles such low light
I haven't used a flash yet
No, I do not use flash when I'm at a birth
Hi, is it inappropriate to photograph the baby crowning?
Hey Meg, thanks for watching! This is a question I ask my clients in the consultation. Some want it, some don't!
No flash
When using a flash, shoot sparingly! Do not take three photos when one will do.
I don't use because is not good for babys that
Video isn't working:(
Krissy Harris I’m sorry about that! Maybe try reloading your browser or use a different browser ❤️