Welcome to the South African Birth Photographers Association (SABPA)
Founded in 2013, the South African Birth Photographers Association (SABPA) is a leading organization dedicated to the development, growth, and support of professional birth photographers across South Africa. We empower parents, healthcare providers, and birth photographers by ensuring that birth stories are captured in a safe, professional, and emotionally impactful way.
Our Mission: Empowering Parents and Photographers
At SABPA, we believe that every birth is a transformative moment, one that deserves to be documented with breathtaking, emotional, and intimate photography. Our mission is to provide parents with access to qualified, professional birth photographers who are well-versed in the hospital and birth centre rules, ensuring peace of mind and confidence in their birth photography choice.
As a trusted organization, we offer birth photographers the tools, resources, and a supportive platform to grow their business while maintaining the highest standards of safety, privacy, and professionalism.
What We Do for Parents
The association provides a stable platform (built on trusting relationships with other healthcare professionals and institutions) for birth photographers to grow their businesses from and build communities. South African Birth Photographers Association ultimately strives to bridge the gap between medicine and the humanities by integrating existing clinical excellence with positive patient experiences.Choosing the right birth photographer is an important decision. The South African Birth Photographers Association ensures that parents have access to reputable photographers who are committed to capturing one of the most memorable moments in life. Our registered photographers follow the SABPA Oath of Conduct and stay updated with the latest industry standards, so parents can rest assured knowing that their photographer is skilled, trustworthy, and knowledgeable.
We also believe in empowering parents by providing them with the tools and guidance to plan and execute their birth photography experience with confidence.
Our Commitment to Professional Standards
SABPA is not an accreditation or regulatory body, but rather a platform that connects parents with registered photographers. We have established trusting relationships with healthcare professionals and institutions, allowing birth photographers access to a supportive and collaborative environment. To become a member, photographers must pass the SABPA Entry Exam and take the Oath of Conduct, ensuring they adhere to the highest ethical standards.
Our association is backed by an independent advisory board of medical professionals, who guide our policies and help maintain the integrity of the birth photography industry in South Africa.
Our Impact on the Birth Photography Industry
When SABPA was founded, birth photography was a new and unrecognized practice in South Africa, with many hospitals not allowing photographers into the birth space. Today, thanks to our ongoing advocacy and support, birth photographers have greater access than in any other global birth market. By acting as a facilitator and platform for photographers, we’ve played a key role in the growth and acceptance of birth photography across the country.
Giving Back to the Community
As part of our commitment to supporting mothers and families, SABPA proudly contributes to charitable initiatives that provide assistance to new mothers in need. Ten percent of our membership and practice fees are donated to HATCH, a nonprofit organization that provides essential starter kits to new mothers from underprivileged backgrounds. These kits help ensure that every new mom and baby have access to some of the basic essentials needed during the first few weeks of life.