A Radical Birthing Magazine interview with Gerard Bonî of First Breath Photography.
Radical Birth Magazine: Tell us about First Breath Photography and how it all began.
Gerard Bonî: I used to be a wedding photographer. It was great. I sold insurance during the week, and then used the weekends to shoot the most amazing declarations of love you have ever seen. I always used to say that the equipment I used the most wasn’t my camera, but my box of tissues. So beautiful.
Anyway, one weekend I shot a rush wedding for a couple who had just found out that they had gotten knocked up. They wanted to get married before the bride began to, well, swell. I was really busy at the time, but I understood their situation and took the job. Thank goodness I did — it changed my life forever. They loved the wedding photos so much that they asked me if I would photograph the delivery of their little bastard baby. At first I was a little unsure. I had never seen a baby come out of a lady. But they seemed so excited about having professional pictures of the baby’s head crowning that my emotions got the best of me and I accepted. I will never forget that birth. It was more beautiful than any wedding — it was the beginning of life.
So here I am, five years later, President and CEO of First Breath Photography. I don’t sell insurance anymore. First Breath Photography is my full-time job. Babies are being born all the time, and they usually don’t make appointments. I have to be available to my clients at all hours of the day and night. This is not a game, it’s serious business. Women in labor are no joke.
RBM: That sounds like a truly amazing story. I can imagine you have a lot more stories. Can you tell us about your most memorable birthing experience?
GB: Oh wow. It’s really hard for me to pick just one story. I shoot all sorts of births — traditional births, silent births, underwater births, impromptu births, c-section births, multiple births, home births, etc. So, as you can imagine, I have had the opportunity to shoot some really unique things.
There was one time in 2005, I was driving to my grandma’s house for Thanksgiving when I saw a car stranded on the side of I-81. There wasn’t an exit for several miles, and it looked like the battery was dead. So, I decided to stop and see if I could help. When I pulled up I saw a pair of lady legs popping out of the backseat and a man standing in between said legs with his head in the car. I immediately thought they were creating life when I saw that the woman wasn’t wearing any underpants. But then I saw the man had his pants on and the lady’s “area” was way too large to be normal. When I got out of my car, the man yelled for help and asked if I was a doctor because his wife was in labor. And that’s the last thing I remember. I guess I just switched into First Breath Photography mode because when I came to I had a camera full of beautiful on-the-side-of-the-road birthing pictures. It turned out to be one of the most touching births I have ever experienced. Everything was unique. From the father cutting the umbilical cord with a plastic Wendy’s spork to the bag of unmentionable discharges left on the side of the rode like a cigarette butt. It was perfect.
RBM: You said you were on the way to your grandma’s house. Does your family know what you do? And if so, how involved are they with your hopes and dreams for First Breath Photography?
GB: My mom thinks I’m crazy. My grandma pretends she doesn’t understand. And my dad doesn’t talk to me anymore. I see him all the time, he just won’t talk. So, needless to say, they were much happier when I was shooting weddings.
RBM: What about your wife? How does she feel about First Breath Photography?
GB: I don’t have a wife anymore. That was how she felt about it.
RBM: Well that’s a shame.
GB: Yeah.
RBM: The idea of having a stranger photograph the birth of your child may intimidate some couples. What would you say to all those expecting couples out there that are reading this?
GB: First Breath Photography tries to reduce the awkwardness as much as possible. In most cases a full interview and consultancy takes place during the second trimester. I tell the couple about myself, my family, and my own birth. I then get to know them and we discuss the rules and regulations of the photography. Some couples don’t want any direct shots, just profiles and such. But then there are others who want me to get as close to the action as I can. It really depends on the couple. Full on baby coming out of lady shots are not for everyone and I try to respect that.
First Breath Photography is not about destroying a woman’s birthing experience by shoving a camera lens in her face. When I shoot I am as discrete as possible. I have periscopes and other tools that allow me to be practically invisible, while still getting the best shots possible.
First Breath Photography is about encapsulating the childbirth experience through beautiful and candid photographs. It is my dream to shoot as many births as I can. I love it that much.
RBM: Gerard, thank you for speaking with Radical Birthing Magazine today about First Breath Photography. It certainly shows that you love what you do and have a strong passion for childbirth.
GB: I certainly do! Thank you!
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