Professional photography in birth suites and operating theatres at Mater Mothers’ Hospitals in South Brisbane

If you are planning to take photos or record video in Mater Mothers’ Hospitals’ birth suites, please discuss the consent process for filming your baby’s birth with your obstetrician or midwife at one of your antenatal visits, so you are fully prepared and informed prior to labour starting.

If you would like photos and/or video taken during or after the birth of your baby, we ask that you first check with Mater staff on the day for their permission, particularly if they may be included in any photos. Please be aware that staff may refuse the request, and we ask that their wishes be respected.

We ask that any material featuring a member of staff is not posted online or on any form of social media (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.), without the permission of that member of staff first.

Please ask a Mater staff member for guidance if you are uncertain when it is appropriate to take a photo, film or record a video.

Personal use

Women, their families and support persons are welcome to film or record using their own personal equipment within birth suite and/or the operating theatre as long as it is safe and appropriate to do so. There will be times when taking photographs, filming or recording can affect the care of our patients, breach the privacy of other patients or visitors, or breach the privacy of staff at the Mater.

The following conditions apply:

Photographing, filming or recording of staff members or other patients or visitors is generally not allowed (this includes the capturing of voice or image of anyone nearby). This includes live streaming or broadcasting (e.g. Skype, Facetime, Facebook live, and Instagram).
Express permission must be obtained from all staff members who may be included in recordings or photographs.
If recording or photographing clinical care, discussion of consent from staff members will be encouraged prior to the event.
All photographing, filming or recording will STOP if requested by clinical staff at any time.
Material featuring any member of the hospital staff will NOT be posted online or on any form of social media without their express permission.
All photographing, filming and recording will be respectful of the intimate nature of birth and with attention paid to the dignity of the subjects.

Professional photography/videography

The above conditions also apply to professional photographers who may be engaged by women to document their birthing journey. In addition, the following conditions also apply:

Women who engage the services of a professional photographer will discuss this request and obtain written permission from the midwifery unit managers of birthing services.
Professional photographers are not permitted to enter the operating theatre without prior approval of the nurse unit manager of the operating theatre, and then only with the full consent of all staff present.
Professional photographers will leave the room immediately if requested by hospital staff.
Images taken anywhere on Mater’s campus may only be posted online for promotional/portfolio purposes with the express written permission of Mater’s Corporate Communication’s team.

For enquiries about professional photography in birth suites at our other locations, please contact: