Anna Claire Vollers

Don't Edit

Lighthouse Photography | www.lighthousephotographyhuntsville.com

Labor and prayer

We asked Alabama birth photographers to share their favorite shots that embody the raw beauty of childbirth. Read on for more incredible images, and honest thoughts from the photographers who captured them.

"I consider myself a storyteller when it comes to birth photography," said Mary Ellen Pollard, of Lighthouse Photography in Huntsville, Ala. "I fall in love with each of my clients and I shed tears of joy right alongside of them when these beautiful babies come earthside."

"I choose to use black and white to tell my client birth stories," she explained. "To me, black and white images allow the eye to focus on the subject and emotion of the images."

Don't Edit

Lighthouse Photography | http://www.lighthousephotographyhuntsville.com

Point of view

"My goal is for families to forget that I am even there," said Pollard. "I want to tell a story of this birth exactly how it happened, but in away that is tasteful and beautiful.

"I consider myself to be very good and finding those special points of view that capture the action but maintain a mothers privacy."

Don't Edit

Lighthouse Photography | http://www.lighthousephotographyhuntsville.com

The wait is over

"I have developed a sense of what is going to happen next during a birth and making sure I am in the right place at the right time," said Pollard.

"I have been with some of these families when they have had their darkest day during a stillbirth. A year or two later they will call me for a rainbow baby (birth after loss) birth and I am always honored that they want me to join them in a joyous time as well."

Don't Edit

Lighthouse Photography | http://www.lighthousephotographyhuntsville.com

Natural water birth

"I feel that mom and dad should be apart of each story," said Pollard. "I get asked all the time, 'Why doesn't dad just take the photos?' Well, if you have ever seen a new dad in the delivery room, you would understand.

"Both parents can relax and know that I will capture all of those moments for them. I will tell their story."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Allison Jansen Photography | allisonjansenphotography.com

First look

"This is one of my favorite all time shots," said Allison Jansen of Allison Jansen Photography in Huntsville. "Just pure joy radiating from this family finally getting to see their sweet baby's face for the first time. There is nothing better than this."

Don't Edit

Allison Jansen Photography | allisonjansenphotography.com

A beautiful view

Jansen captured "The very first of many sweet bonding moments for this mother and daughter."

Don't Edit

Allison Jansen Photography | allisonjansenphotography.com

Joyful greeting

"This is the first real glimpse the parents get to see of this sweet angel," said Jansen. "The nurses at Huntsville Hospital are truly amazing. I love how much they share the joy in each delivery they do. You can see this excitement beaming from everyone."

"This is one of many images that shows how important it is to have a professional birth photographer to capture these fleeting precious moments. Allowing dad and any other family member witnessing the miracle of life to be fully present in the moment and not have to be in charge of taking pictures on their own is priceless."

Don't Edit

Allison Jansen Photography | allisonjansenphotography.com

Stand by you

"One of the last moments they are just a couple," said Jansen. "Soon they will be a family. Such a tender moment of this first time daddy staying focused on comforting his wife to help her get through delivery."

Don't Edit

Allison Jansen Photography | allisonjansenphotography.com

Big sister

"Big sister (was) so excited to see TWO babies!" said Jansen. "She was just overwhelmed with giggles and love for her little brother and sister."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Heartstrings Photography | www.heartstringsphotosbyheather.com

Unplanned c-section

"The way a birth unfolds can never be planned," said Heather Alvarado of Heartstrings Photography by Heather in Huntsville, Ala. "Each delivery is different and very often as a photographer that specializes in birth stories, I have to be flexible and ready for anything.

"There is always a chance that an emergency c-section must be performed and I am always ready to be present in the OR."

Don't Edit

Heartstrings Photography | www.heartstringsphotosbyheather.com

Holding on

"My goal for each birth session is to capture those deep emotional connections," said Alvarado. "The images that make you FEEL the story."

Don't Edit

Heartstrings Photography | www.heartstringsphotosbyheather.com

Holding a child for the first time

"When a mother holds her child for the first time, it's one of the most beautiful things to witness and it must be captured," said Alvarado. "I can't really explain my style or method to photograph such intimate, emotional moments. I just capture what I see to be beautiful."

Don't Edit

Heartstrings Photography | www.heartstringsphotosbyheather.com

First kiss

"Never is there a moment when I feel I don't have enough things to capture during a birth," said Alvarado. "There is beauty in every moment of a birth."

Don't Edit

Hello Baby Birth Photography | www.hellobabyphoto.com

Labor cry

"The power of contractions will rock you to your core," said Aubrie Moates of Hello Baby Birth Photography in Montgomery, Ala. "This Mama worked so hard, and brought her baby girl into the world with overwhelming love."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Hello Baby Birth Photography | www.hellobabyphoto.com

Surrounded by support

"The tug-of-war method," said Moates, explaining the labor practice used in this photo. "It's so interesting to see the different ways a mama can 'push.' This daddy was so sweet and attentive!"

Don't Edit

Hello Baby Birth Photography | www.hellobabyphoto.com

Hello, world

"This is one of those moments," said Moates, "a once-in-a-lifetime capture. One that happens so quickly that you don't even know it's happened until you're editing the images later! A priceless 'I love you' sign to his mama!"

Don't Edit

Hello Baby Birth Photography | www.hellobabyphoto.com

Bravery

"That moment when your baby is whisked away by the NICU team, and you cannot immediately hold him," said Moates. "I know at this very moment Mama is praising and praying to God all in the same breath."

Don't Edit

Hello Baby Birth Photography | www.hellobabyphoto.com

First love

"Mama was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer shortly after she discovered she was pregnant," said Moates. "Her OB and oncologists put together a beautiful plan to do low-dose radiation treatments until after baby girl arrived. She was born healthy and with no complications!"

Don't Edit

Hello Baby Birth Photography | www.hellobabyphoto.com

Meeting the family

"An unexpected, emergency c-section makes a birth extra emotional," said Moates. "Proud daddy showing off his new baby girl while mama was in recovery."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Birth Stories by Olive Photos | www.facebook.com/Birth-Stories-by-Olive-Photos-233812543372080

First breath

"My absolute favorite moment in a birth is by far the first breath," said Lauryn Johnson of Birth Stories by Olive Photos. "To be there, to witness a new person who is going to grow up and live an amazing life, literally breathe in this new world for the first time, is nothing short of life changing. Every. Single. Time."

Don't Edit

Birth Stories by Olive Photos | www.facebook.com/Birth-Stories-by-Olive-Photos-233812543372080

Stolen moments

"It is so important to me to capture those stolen moments between mom and dad during labor," said Johnson. "Those moments of pure support that only a mate can provide.

"Those photos are the ones that get Mom through on long nights where she feels so tethered to her baby and so lonely. Those were some of the most healing ones for me in my own birth."

Don't Edit

Birth Stories by Olive Photos | www.facebook.com/Birth-Stories-by-Olive-Photos-233812543372080

A new role

"The time after birth is just as beautiful as the labor and birth itself," said Johnson. "To watch siblings settle into a new role. To watch a mother study her child that she's carried so long and tirelessly. To see those moments where a new normal begins, is just a blessing."

Don't Edit

Birth Stories by Olive Photos | www.facebook.com/Birth-Stories-by-Olive-Photos-233812543372080

Other side of the drape

"I have been very lucky to have OR privileges with several of our local doctors," said Johnson. "I know a lot of c-section moms feel like they missed a huge part of documenting their births, so being able to capture those moments for them and to be able to document from that side is so wonderful!"

Don't Edit

Rebecca Kate Photography | rebeccakatephotography.com

By her side

"My goal during birth coverage is to tell a story," said Rebecca Noe of Rebecca Kate Photography in Foley, Ala. "I want my clients to look back through their images in years to come and remember every detail of that special day."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Rebecca Kate Photography | rebeccakatephotography.com

Meeting Daddy

"A Daddy meeting their newborn for the first time is always a favorite," said Noe.

Don't Edit

Rebecca Kate Photography | rebeccakatephotography.com

Gentle first bath

"Photographing the weight, measurements and firsts baths are so important," said Noe, "especially for my c-section moms since they often miss those first moments."

Don't Edit

Anna Claire Vollers

Click here for more birth photos

Love birth photography? We've also got a photo feature of modern home births.