LABOR of Love

"I chase the tear." says Neely Ker-Fox of her approach to birth photography. She goes on to explain; “A tear always comes down mom’s cheek after birth” It’s those special moments that she feels make the compelling and memorable story.

Eliza Morrill was a little hesitant about birth photography at first. But when Morrill’s twin boys, Hart and Mills, were born July 18, 2015 she wanted Ker-Fox in the delivery room. “She captured the emotion and highlights of the day” the new mother says. “It was not at all graphic or tasteless”

One of Morrill’s favorite shots was of the reaction relatives in the waiting room had to a side-by-side photograph of the boys taken moments before that husband Mike showed them. It’s something she believes she was only able to experience because of Ker-Fox’s presence.

Mike Morrill shows his in-laws and close friends photos of their newborn twins. Powerful moments like this are often unseen by the mom.

It’s clear that being close to each other is most comforting to Eliza and Mike Morrill's twin boys as Mills is sucking on Hart’s finger.

Eliza and Mike Morrill in a quiet moment during labor.

Luke Smith applies counterpressure to help his wife Hannah through a contraction. With a birth photographer present, dad can concentrate on mom and not worry about taking photos of the experience.

As a professional photographer since college, Ker-Fox believes that all of life’s major occasions call for an expert photographer. Most women have no hesitation in hiring a pro to capture their wedding day. Since bringing a new life into the world is also a monumental occurrence, Ker-Fox says photography is equally important in documenting the experience.

Ker-Fox explains that having a professional photographer also means that dad doesn’t have to worry about fiddling around with a camera or cell phone. That frees him up to be totally present in the moment with mom.

After dozens of births, Ker-Fox has found she becomes more than a documentarian. “I try to help them have the birth experience they want” she says. She works hard to be a fly on the wall and not to be in their moment, but she is also there to help if the couple wants.

Mike Morrill says that since Ker-Fox has gone through childbirth her experience as a mother was beneficial to their delivery and she also provided a buffer with health care workers during the labor.

“She is incredible” Eliza says. “You don’t just get a photographer, you get someone who is invested in your story and becomes really close to the family”

photo by Ritchie White

Who is Neely Ker Fox?She started her artistic career after graduating from the University of Georgia in 2009 with a degree in advertising/ graphic design and art history. She came by her talent from her father, advertising agency owner Bill Becker. That’s where she first started working. She soon longed for something more creative and she found photography met that need. Initially commercial shoots and weddings were the staple, but she tasted birth photography in 2011 when she shot her first delivery. Knowing the emotional magnitude, she was hooked. In 2012, she decided to finish the weddings on the books and go full time with birth photography.

In addition to dedication to her work, Ker-Fox is a wife and mother, devoted to her family. She loves the Lord. She’s a hopeless romantic. She’s obsessed with the details and the subtle nuances of everyday life.

She says she has the best job. Ever.

That’s because Ker-Fox begins early in the pregnancy getting to know the couple. Once she learns of their interest, the veteran photographer sits down with the parents to be and gets to know them and their expectations. She stays in contact throughout the pregnancy and whether it is a scheduled delivery or contractions in the middle of the night, she is there for the big event.

Ker-Fox recalls the shortest birth was 21 minutes from arriving at the hospital to delivery. For other births it has taken more than 24 hours.

She has photographed C-section deliveries as well as natural births and has not had any complications in arranging the photography with area hospitals or doctors.

In her effort to stay out of the way and be inconspicuous, Ker-Fox shoots without a flash and often with a long lens. She returns the next day for shots of the new parents with baby. “I am documenting real life … capturing a moment as it happens ... and it is fleeting and quick” she explains.

There is a lot more work after the birth putting together the story. Unless requested, the photographs are in black and white and each picture is hand edited. The experience is then put together into a slide show with licensed Christian music. “I believe in the beauty of what it is” she explains. “That’s where my passion is”

The most challenging part of her career Ker-Fox finds is child care for her own kids. “I wouldn’t be able to do this without babysitters and my family” Even so, the job is a real investment. She doesn’t book anything else around a client’s due date and her personal life is put on hold. “Last year I missed my daughter’s birthday party” she remembers.

Even so, Ker-Fox can’t imagine doing anything else for a living. “There is nothing like the adrenaline of being in the room when a life comes into the world” She adds, “It is never lost on me that I get to share that moment with people. I am privy to one of the most private moments in their lives with the responsibility of capturing it. That, by far, is the biggest honor. ”