Authentic documentary birthphotography for families in southern Portugal – discreet, respectful and emotionally honest.
Birthphotography
Birthphotography in the Algarve & Alentejo
The birth of a new human being is also the birth of a mother and a father. The beginning or expansion of a family. It is an incredibly transformative process, a miracle.
I photograph births because it’s the most natural experience. A birth is magical and cannot be staged, and that’s what makes it so incredibly beautiful.
Birthphotos have a great emotional impact for the woman, her partner, and the children:
They create memories of the small details that can easily be forgotten amidst the abundance of impressions. Memories of the birthplace, the process, and the small gestures.
They illuminate the woman’s strength, showing her what she has accomplished and how proud she can be of herself. They can be healing, helping her process the experience and building an emotional bridge to her inner strength.
They also show the solidarity with the birth team and the partner, the loving support, and the shared experience of labor.
And these pictures will forever remind you of that very special, unique moment when parents and baby first laid eyes on each other.
The beginning of an eternal love story.
moving, stunning, relieving…
My wish is to give you photos after the birth that will show you your strength, beauty, and your love for each other, and will remind you of this day forever.
And I am convinced that your child will also cherish these photos later on, seeing how much they are loved from the very beginning.
This image of their birth will shape them for a lifetime.
Birthphotography
What’s included in my photographic documentation:
- I call you via Zoom so that we can discuss your wishes and my working methods.
- 24-hour on-call service from ten days before your expected due date until your baby decides to arrive (individual timeframes possible)
- Support throughout the entire birth process until about two hours afterwards, regardless of whether the birth lasts 1 or 12 hours.
-
All files (at least 50 JPGs) in high resolution
(The number of photos varies depending on the length of the birth) -
Individual image editing of all files in color and/or black and white
- Slideshow with the best pictures
- Within 48 hours: 5 edited photos to announce the birth
- Access to the password-protected online gallery,
within 6 weeks after birth.
Optional add-ons (prices on request):
+ Birth film (your birth journey as an emotional video)
+ A high-quality photo book with 50 of your favorite pictures
Prices:
The regular price for my birth photography package is €1,400.
To reserve your birth date, I require a deposit of €300.
The remaining balance is due at the start of my on-call availability.
Payment in installments is also possible.
Many families book me for a complete package including birth photos and video, or for pregnancy photos, birth pictures, and postpartum photography. Because I love being able to accompany you during this special time and want to thank you for your trust, I offer a 10% discount on packages.
If I have permission to use selected images on my website or social media, I will also offer a publication bonus. This permission is, of course, entirely voluntary and will be discussed transparently beforehand.
Request a birth report:
nelehaag[at]posteo.de
You would love to have pictures of your birth, but you’re not yet sure if birth photography is really for you?
1. step
Contact me, preferably by email (see „Contact“).
We can clarify initial questions this way and in the
2. step
Let’s schedule an introductory meeting. Currently, these meetings are held via Zoom or I can come to you if you live nearby. This appointment is free of charge, and I will dedicate plenty of time to answer all your questions.
3. step
If, after our initial meeting, you decide to choose me as your birth photographer, I will send you the contract. Upon signing the contract, an initial payment of €300 is due, and I will officially reserve your birth date in my calendar.
4. step
The remaining balance is due at the start of my on-call availability, and from then on I will be available for you day and night. Once labor begins, we will stay in regular contact and decide together when I should join you.
5. step
I will accompany you throughout the entire active phase of the birth and stay afterwards for about 2 hours to document the first time together, possibly the meeting of siblings and/or the U1 examination.
6. step
Within the first 48 hours after the birth, you will receive five initial photos from me to announce the arrival. I will send you the complete gallery as an online gallery no later than four weeks after the birth.
If you wish, I would also be happy to visit you again to discuss your experiences and the photos, and perhaps even photograph your postpartum period.
Contact me: nelehaag[at]posteo.de
I am Nele
Traveling birth photographer and documentary family photographer in Portugal and Germany.
Possible questions
I'm unsure whether having an extra person present during childbirth would bother me..
My top priority is to interfere with the birth process as little as possible. Therefore, I use my camera in silent mode and move quietly, slowly, and as unobtrusively as possible around the room. If I notice that the woman in labor or her family needs quiet, I leave the room for a while. Most women tell me they barely noticed me at all.
Will you publish our pictures?
I will only publish images for which you give me permission. Every photo I’m allowed to show on my website and social media channels helps me to raise awareness of my work, and it’s very important to me to positively change the image of birth in society. If you decide against publishing these intimate images, that’s absolutely fine, of course!
A darkened room is important to me for giving birth. Can you take photos in the dark?
My equipment can handle low-light situations. However, we do need a bit of light for beautiful photos. If your birth takes place at night, we can create a cozy atmosphere with candlelight or other soft light sources, in which I can easily take pictures. If you’d like crystal-clear images, we can also discuss the targeted use of my indirect flash.
What happens if you miss the birth?
Should your baby arrive very quickly and I’m not present at the crucial moment, I’d still be happy to come and capture the first few hours after the birth.
In the event that I can’t attend your birth due to health reasons or other unforeseen circumstances we can arrange for comprehensive postpartum documentation.
My birth partner can also take photos during the birth. Why should I book you?
If you’d like professional photos that capture the details despite challenging lighting conditions and show all family members during this important event, you should consider having me photograph your birth.
The partner is usually emotionally and physically involved in the birth and might forget to take photos. With my trained eye, I capture precisely these intimate moments, and I have years of experience working with my camera.
What is your area?
I currently live near Portimao in the Algarve region of Portugal, and I travel within the Algarve and Alentejo regions to your birthplace.
Feel free to contact me if you’d prefer me to support you at your birth in a different location, and we can explore options together.
Would you like to have more photos?
Here you can see what else I offer in Portugal related to pregnancy, birth, and family.
Pregnancy
Your belly is growing and you want to capture your pregnancy in authentic photos?
I offer homestories with or without siblings, where you don’t have to smile or dress up, just be yourself. Or we meet in nature and capture the beauty of this moment, for example at the beach.
Postpartum
A time of slowness, when the world outside seems to stand still, and yet so much is happening within your new family. Every day, the new person in your arms looks a little different.
Together with you, I will capture the magic of this beginning, naturally and at your own speed. The postpartum photography session will, of course, take place in your home, where you can feel comfortable and relaxed. Between feedings, diaper changes, and cuddles, I will create images that will remind you of this very special time, without intervening or posing.
Motherhood
How would you like to remember your motherhood? And how would you like your child to remember your bond?
You are such an important person to your children. Your bond is truly special. But you probably have countless photos of your children on your phone, and so few that show you with them. To change that starting today, why not take some time together for a few heartfelt snapshots that capture your unique relationship, WITH you as their mom?
Familylife
Your everyday life is their childhood.
To help you always remember this time as it truly is, I photograph your time together in a documentary style. This means I accompany you in genuine moments – without direction and without posing. I capture authentic situations. Therefore, I come to a place where you feel comfortable, for example, your home, or accompany you on a family trip outside.
Ideally, after a while, you’ll forget I’m there and can show yourselves as you truly are.
Events & Retreats
Would you like to have your Blessingway, women’s circle, or other event photographed in a sensitive and heartfelt way?
I would be happy to accompany you to create natural photos that you can later use for social media, your website, or as a memory for the participants.
