Capturing the Intimacy of Births

Louise Valin’s photography captures the quiet intensity of one of life’s most profound moments: childbirth. She gently steps behind closed doors, uncovering hidden stories and delicate connections. Her photographs are tender yet powerful, revealing the human experience in its most vulnerable and transformative states. 

Born in Nancy, France, in 2000, Louise honed her craft through studies in graphic design and photography. She has further worked at a Lisbon photography publisher and a cultural space in Loir-et-Cher. She currently exhibits alongside other talented female and non-binary artists in follow.art’s online exhibition ‘Good Girl!’, a project focused on exploring femininity through the female gaze.

Can you describe a particularly memorable experience you’ve had while photographing a birth?

The first birth I photographed was undoubtedly the most striking. At that moment, I was building my project around something still unknown to me, discovering minute-by-minute what a birth could look like. What really left me speechless was the feeling of being an integral part of the event, as if I were meant to be there. Neither the parents nor the caregivers made me feel unwelcome or like I was intruding. I found myself in this situation where I had access to the birth experience and its behind-the-scenes moments! Flowing with the rhythm of the midwife’s visits in the delivery room, I captured the moments sometimes with my camera, sometimes with my senses. As a woman, I felt a profound connection to this unique moment of childbirth.

What do you take into consideration when approaching families to be photographed by you?

More than just consent, I need families and caregivers to genuinely volunteer for the project. I begin by reaching out to the birth facility, leaving a note about my project in the waiting room, and then letting things unfold naturally. And they did! It is also crucial for me to have a conversation face-to-face with the parents I’m about to photograph. I always come prepared with a list of questions to ensure they feel comfortable with my presence, gaze, and camera. This discussion is also a way for me to enrich my project by understanding what is at stake for each couple and what it takes to give birth in today’s Western society.

Birth evokes distinct emotions. What other human experiences would you like to photograph in the future?

A few years ago, I briefly photographed a pediatric palliative care team at the Children’s Hospital of Nancy (France). This team, composed of doctors, nurses, and psychologists, works to ensure the comfort and well-being of children with severe diagnoses, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers, both at home and in the hospital. While life may seem to stop and time may freeze in these moments, it’s still possible to imagine life projects—whether it's returning to school or taking a great trip. Regardless of social situation, culture, or personal history, no one is ever truly prepared to face the death of a child. But the work of this team proves that no one is ever alone in such a moment. Revisiting this subject would be an honor for me. Alongside birth, I rarely witnessed such deep emotions in human relationships.

The photos featured in the ‘Good Girl!’ exhibition are in black and white. Why did you choose this technique for your work?

I shoot with a digital camera, which allows me to work in both color and black and white. When I first looked at my photos, black and white felt like an obvious choice. From that moment on, I began to approach my images with this in mind. There was no turning back. Imagining my work in black and white changed my entire perspective.

What advice would you give to those looking to explore intimate and sensitive subjects in their work?

Five words come immediately to my mind: empathy, listening, discretion, respect, humility. When working with sensitive subjects, especially involving people, you should never take things for granted. Each look has yet to be pierced, each gesture has yet to be grasped, and each intention has yet to be decoded before you bring it to your lens. Moreover, I believe that an intimate subject must be explored for a legitimate and moral reason.

It should feel natural and self-evident. This inner light is what guides you throughout the project, giving you the desire to share it with the world, to talk about it, defend it, and protect it.