Byron Bay-based photographer Serina Crinis takes the most exquisite photographs of women, bellies, births, babies and breastfeeding. Documenting births is her absolute passion, which was inspired by her work as a doula, which in turn was inspired by the births of her own two children. Birth photography is so important for us to see – helping to normalise the birth process in all of its incarnations. We spoke to Serina about her business and how she got started. Scroll on for more beautiful photographs throughout.
The passion/launch: What inspired you to set up your business?
After my son’s birth, I was inspired to become a doula to help other women achieve empowering birth experiences. At the same time, I was learning photography as a side hobby. I thought it would be a great idea to bring my camera along to my doula births and business took off.
I started doing lots of breastfeeding and motherhood documentary sessions. It’s documenting births that I’m most passionate about though. There is so much power in a birth image. The potential to change our whole culture surrounding birth, to normalise it, to make women feel prepared, empowered. The potential it has for women to reflect and heal from their own births.
There is so much power in a birth image. The potential to change our whole culture surrounding birth, to normalise it, to make women feel prepared, empowered.
I didn’t think to photograph the birth of my son, but it was a big priority to capture my daughter’s. Now they are my most treasured photos. I still have women come up to me saying how inspired they were by seeing them which really makes me happy.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I was a finalist at the 2018 ACM Birth Photography Awards for the “pregnancy” category. I’ve been in business less than a year, had never entered a competition before, and was only doing so as a requirement of Lacey Barratt’s Exposing Birth photography course. I still had a lot of doubt about my abilities at the time. So when I found out I was in the top three alongside some really talented photographers, that was my “I can do this, I am doing this” moment. I vowed to never let myself get in my own way again.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
If something is important to you, you make it work. Sometimes that means hiring a babysitter for a few hours or working on the weekend when my husband is home. I make sure I have one night out on my own every week to clear my head. Sometimes I’ll buy a ton of play doh to keep the kids busy for a couple hours while I edit a gallery. My husband and I also stay up late together every night to make sure we have time for each other.
