The Birth of Jake Anthony | Jackson, Michigan Birth Photographer

"Shooting a birth is like getting an inquiry from a bride saying that she wants you to come photograph her wedding, but isn't going to set a date. She'll just call you whenever. And when you ask her how many hours of coverage she would like, she says she's not sure, probably around 24, but maybe only 2. And you ask her when she'd like for you to start coverage and she says she wont know, but probably around 2am. And also, that she doesnt want any use of flash. So when you ask her if there will be bountiful natural light she says that she'll be getting married in a dark closet with no light whatsoever. And, she's going to want the images right away to send out announcements. AND you're not going to be able to use them anywhere on your website or blog because she wants to keep her privacy intact. We'd all be quoting this bride $50,000.00." --Lexia Frank


I saw this quote on Facebook from a WPPI speaker and amazing photographer, Lexia Frank.   How true is that?   Birth photography is definitely an investment, both for the client and for the photographer (in time and talent!).  The timeline is non-existent.  The lighting conditions are harsh.  The hours are unpredictable.  Clients who choose birth photography value this moment as they valued their wedding.  It is a once in a lifetime event- something that will never, ever be relived except through images.   And why not have the best possible images to relive the event?    


Jake Anthony | Nicole Barczak Birth Photography from Nicole Barczak on Vimeo.

For more information about birth photography, please contact Nicole at nicole@nbarczak.com.   FAQ and common birth photography information is also available on the website www.nbarczak.com.

Nicole Barczak Photography is a birth photographer in Jackson at Allegiance Health and in Ann Arbor at Motts U of M.  She is available for photographing hospital births, home births, at birthing centers, natural deliveries and c-sections.

Jake Anthony | Jackson, Michigan Birth Photographer

Another amazing birth.  This one was a planned c-section.  Mama called me the day before and said "Are you ready?"  Heck yes I am!  Even though I was unable to be in the OR as Jake entered the world, I armed his daddy with my camera (I made sure to get the settings just right before handing it over, so he could literally just press the shutter) and he was able to capture some great shots for me.  As you can see, there is not a lack of emotional images of tender moments from Jake's first few hours of life.   

So, if you're considering birth photography and you know you'll be having a c-section, don't write it off completely.  There are still some amazing moments that are begging to be documented.   

I love being a fly on the wall during and after a birth.... capturing these kind of breathtaking moments, watching this new little being- just minutes old- capture everyone's heart.  This next shot of Jake and his daddy... hands down, my favorite image from his birth.  

The Birth of Aaron Oliver | Jackson, Michigan Birth Photographer

I had the privilege of photographing sweet Aaron's birth into this world.  If I haven't said it before (and I know I have)... births are one of my favorite types of sessions to capture.  They're a lot of work.  A lot of time.  But to me, they're as important as having a wedding photographer on your wedding day.   This moment only happens once, and is such a miracle, so why would you not have it documented? 

Births are such a raw, emotionally charged session full of moments that are second to none-  moments that take your breath away and fill you with unspeakable joy - moments of desperation and determination - moments of looking to one another for support - and that special moment when you finally meet the little soul that has been growing inside you for months.  These are moments that only happen once, and that you never want to forget.

When a woman is in labor, her focus is on one thing- delivering the baby. While she physically experiences every moment of the birth, all those little aspects that come together to tell the birth story are often overlooked. 

I love capturing the details that are inevitably forgotten in the midst of anticipation, pain and determination.

I love capturing what she can't see when she has her eyes closed.  

I love documenting her strength when her pain becomes too intense.  

I love showing her how her husband looked at her while her eyes were focused on the baby she just brought into the world.    

I love reminding her how she cried tears of joy and relief.   

My images will bring back a flood of memories that pass in the blink of an eye... memories of one of the happiest and emotionally raw days of her life.  

The Birth of Aaron Oliver | Nicole Barczak Birth Photography from Nicole Barczak on Vimeo.

For more information about birth photography, please contact Nicole at nicole@nbarczak.com.   FAQ and common birth photography information is also available on the website www.nbarczak.com.  

Nicole Barczak Photography is a birth photographer in Jackson at Allegiance Health and in Ann Arbor at Motts U of M.  She is available for photographing hospital births, home births, at birthing centers, natural deliveries and c-sections.  

2012 IAPBP Image of the Year | Michigan Birth Photographer

This past fall I applied and joined the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers.  I am so honored to become a member and be affiliated with such amazing talent.

This week the IAPBP Image of the Year Competition is going on and one of my images is in!   I would greatly appreciate if you would a) go check out the amazing work and talent and b) if you feel so inclined, vote for my image, #145.  

Voting is open until Friday, February 1 at 11:59pm.  

Here is the LINK and here is the URL --->  http://birthphotographers.com/voting-is-open-2012-international-association-of-professional-birth-photographers-image-of-the-year-competition/

DISCLAIMER: This is birth photography, therefore photos of real birth in all it's glory have been entered into this contest. You've been forewarned!  Thank you again for your support!

Why birth photography?

From TRA's blog, guest blogger Gwendolyn Waite.  She says it so perfectly, why reinvent the wheel?

Birth photography. You mention it to people, and they either get it, or they don't. Some people will call you all kinds of crazy. Birth photography is certainly not for everybody. But for those folks who do choose to document their birth in photos and who appreciate the art, beauty, and storytelling of birth photography - these images will be their most cherished. The ones they run to rescue from a fire. The ones that survive generations. The ones that bring tears to their eyes. Every. Single. Time.

Having been on both ends of the camera during the birth process, I can tell you how incredibly beautiful these images are to a family. I only have a couple snapshots from my oldest kids' births, but they are still the most amazing, beautiful photos of two of the most important days of my life. However, I would give anything to go back in time and have a birth photographer tell our story of those days. All those tiny details I will never be able to remember, that were lost in the momentum of the day. When I was pregnant with my third child, I knew that I had to document the story of his birth more completely. Hiring a birth photographer is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Ever.

So why would a family choose to hire a birth photographer, instead of having a family member snap away? Simple. A birth photographer will capture all those little details that will otherwise be forgotten. The look of relief on mom's face when she's made it through another contraction. The clock two hours in, seven hours in. Grandma, waiting patiently in the hallway. A hand of support on mom's shoulder. Dad's face when he makes the first phone call announcing the birth. All of those small moments that would slip by, unnoticed. These photos, woven together, tell the story of the birth day.

A birth photographer will also free up everybody else at the birth to support mom. After the baby is born, dad can focus all of his attention on mom and the baby, and enjoy those first incredible moments knowing that the story is being captured.

If you have any interest in a birth session, contact Nicole:  nicole@nbarczak.com for more information or to schedule your birth day session. FAQ and common birth photography information is also available on the website www.nbarczak.com.


Nicole Barczak Photography is a birth photographer in Jackson at Allegiance Health and in Ann Arbor at Motts U of M.  She is available for photographing hospital births, home births, at birthing centers, natural deliveries and c-sections.

Adrian Michael │ Jackson Michigan Birth Photographer

For more information about birth photography, please contact Nicole at nicole@nbarczak.com.   FAQ and common birth photography information is also available on the website www.nbarczak.com.

Nicole Barczak Photography is a birth photographer in Jackson at Allegiance Health and in Ann Arbor at Motts U of M.  She is available for photographing hospital births, home births, at birthing centers, natural deliveries and c-sections.

Lyla Grace │ Jackson Michigan Birth Photographer

For more information about birth photography, please contact Nicole at nicole@nbarczak.com.   FAQ and common birth photography information is also available on the website www.nbarczak.com.

Nicole Barczak Photography is a birth photographer in Jackson at Allegiance Health and in Ann Arbor at Motts U of M.  She is available for photographing hospital births, home births, at birthing centers, natural deliveries and c-sections.

Lyla Grace │ Jackson, Michigan Birth Photographer

Birth sessions are quickly turning into my favorite type of documentary work. I feel so privileged that these families are entrusting me with this once in a lifetime event. That they are opening up their lives to allow me into this intimate moment... to capture such a momentous time in their life... to show them the miracles I see unfold through my lens.

I am always in awe when I go through my images and see the facial expressions, the looks of wonder, the sparkle of a tear in the corner of someone's eye... the things you don't see while you are experiencing this event, but when you see it captured it opens a floodgate of emotion and memory for you. At least, I hope it does.

Enough rambling... you get that I'm quite passionate about these sessions! I know a certain mommy who is anxiously awaiting a sneek peek from little Lyla's birth....









For more information about birth photography, please contact Nicole at nicole@nbarczak.com.   FAQ and common birth photography information is also available on the website www.nbarczak.com.

Nicole Barczak Photography is a birth photographer in Jackson at Allegiance Health and in Ann Arbor at Motts U of M.  She is available for photographing hospital births, home births, at birthing centers, natural deliveries and c-sections.

Ruby Elizabeth │ Jackson Michigan Birth Photography

For more information about birth photography, please contact Nicole at nicole@nbarczak.com.   FAQ and common birth photography information is also available on the website www.nbarczak.com.

Nicole Barczak Photography is a birth photographer in Jackson at Allegiance Health and in Ann Arbor at Motts U of M.  She is available for photographing hospital births, home births, at birthing centers, natural deliveries and c-sections.

Ruby Elizabeth │ Jackson Michigan Birth Photographer

It's been a busy week for me... I photographed my second birth this past Thursday and I'm hooked.

Here are a couple of my favorites from Ruby's birth. I will be posting her slideshow soon.

Brady Nikolas │ Jackson Michigan Birth Photographer

For more information about birth photography, please contact Nicole at nicole@nbarczak.com.   FAQ and common birth photography information is also available on the website www.nbarczak.com.

Nicole Barczak Photography is a birth photographer in Jackson at Allegiance Health and in Ann Arbor at Motts U of M.  She is available for photographing hospital births, home births, at birthing centers, natural deliveries and c-sections.