Miracle of birth

They say birth is a miracle of nature. And capturing this beautiful miracle through a Canon 60 D, Delhi-based lenswoman Urshita Saini has been grabbing attention through ‘aww-worthy’ clicks. 

A lawyer by education, Urshita’s journey into the world of photography started out as a wedding photographer because weddings, especially Indian weddings, she says are sort of a Pandora’s box of emotions. “Everyone has a forte and interest when it comes to clicking pictures, some like nature, some cities and culture, but mine was always about capturing diverse emotions. Weddings offered me the scope to click fear, anger, sadness, joy, surprise, trust, anticipation and so on. Also, in the process, I got to devour lip-smacking food,” she says with a laugh.

However, the idea of birth photography appealed to Urshita, when she was invited to author an article on the concept of birth photography by a leading magazine. “While researching about the same, I got highly influenced by the whole idea and thought about venturing into the same within the nation. So after a lot of consultation with a leading gynecologist and getting familiarised with the labour room environment and finally convincing one couple, I started birth photography just six months back,” she says. 

Having shot 25 projects by now, the lenswoman explains that she doesn’t use any fancy equipment inside the labour room, and flashes are a complete no-no (the light is harmful to the baby and a distraction for the mother).

Another challenge of birth photography is the need for the photographer to ensure that they do not detract from a family’s birth experience. 

She says, “I make sure that I am as discreet as I can be during the entire process. Neither do I come in the way of any medical procedure nor do I let my presence be a hindrance to what the mother is going through, physically as well as mentally.” 

Urshita adds, “I capture a family’s birth journey in all its raw, emotionally charged, beautiful glory. I go into action when the mother gets into active labour and stay until the baby is out safely. I capture the first 20-30 minutes of activities — hearing the child’s first cry, when the nurse is noting the body weight for the first time, the footprint, opening of eyes, when the mother sees the baby for the first time, family’s reaction, etc.”

And, of course, birth is unpredictable — a birth photographer needs to be prepared for all possibilities, she says. 

“Every birth/delivery is unique. Once or twice I have been asked to get out of the labour room because the case got serious,” she adds and says, “The whole atmosphere inside a labour room remains very dramatic. But it’s all worth it.”