The Business of Birth Photography: What It Really Takes to Do This Work

Have you ever wondered what it’s actually like to be a birth photographer? Not just the beautiful, emotional images that make it to Instagram—but the real, behind-the-scenes experience of being on-call, documenting life’s most vulnerable moments, and doing it all with skill, presence, and heart?

In my latest podcast episode, I had the absolute honor of talking with Philadelphia-based photographer, doula, and filmmaker Rachel Utain-Evans about the business of birth photography. And let me tell you: she brought it.

We covered everything from the logistics of being on-call 24/7 to how she handles documenting births that unfold in unpredictable lighting, settings, and emotions. She shared the tools she uses (spoiler: she’s a minimalist with a Sony and a bounce flash), her thoughtful approach to editing birth films using ambient sound, and the very real emotional toll that can come with this kind of work.

Some of my favorite takeaways from our conversation:

• Doula training is invaluable. Even if you don’t plan to become a certified doula, Rachel strongly recommends doing at least a weekend training if you’re entering the birth space. It’s about safety, professionalism, and knowing how to support people through one of the most intense moments of their lives.

• Birth photography is not like weddings. In fact, it’s harder. You’re on call for 4-5 weeks. You could be documenting a labor that lasts 30 hours—or one that happens so fast you barely get your shoes on. The unpredictability is part of the package, and pricing has to reflect that.

• What to expect in a birth film. Rachel doesn’t shoot long clips or aim for cinematic perfection. Instead, she captures brief, intentional moments—10 to 20 seconds max—stitched together with authentic sound to reflect what the birth felt like. And when the baby is born? That audio is everything.

• Your gear won’t save you—your preparedness will. Rachel brings a flash, but she can shoot in the dark if she has to. She’s not afraid of grain. She’s not afraid of improvising. And she makes it clear to clients that she’ll never compromise their comfort for the sake of getting the shot.

• Mentorship matters. Rachel is passionate about mentoring new birth photographers and building community. She’s seen what happens when someone enters the birth space unprepared—and how it can have ripple effects that hurt the entire industry. “Don't guess and mess up,” she says. “Get educated.”

If you’ve ever even considered birth photography, this episode is a must. And if you’re like me—curious but clear on your own limits—you’ll still come away with a deep appreciation for the people who do this work so skillfully and so thoughtfully.

Featured Guest:

Rachel Utain-EvansWebsite: rachelutainevans.com Instagram: @racheluephoto

Photographer to Watch:

Juliette FradinInstagram: @juliette_fradin_photography (Juliette’s creativity and play with light reignited Rachel’s own love for the art of photography. Go follow her—you won’t regret it.)

🎧 Listen to the full episode: The Business of Birth Photography