Birth Photography FAQ

Each birth is uniquely different. I have a checklist of images I’d like to capture and I am essentially there to document (not pose) what is actually happening. I am there so your partner can focus on you. I photograph the connection between you and your birth partner, the emotion during the later stages of labor, and the first Earth breaths your child takes.  We can discuss more in detail in an initial meeting what you would like to include. This is your story.

The main role doula of a birth doula is to provide support to the mother, two hands, all her focus and emotions during your labor and birth. Their amazing skills and expertise are to assist you and your partner during labor and delivery. By hiring me to take the photos of the entire scene (including your doula assisting you and your partner) it allows her to fully focus on you and it will even highlight the strong relationship between you two!

Immediately! You can call or text me to give me a heads up. This allows me to make sure I can tie up anything I am in the middle of. It is never too early to call me, even in the middle of the night.

I try to get there when you are between 6-8 centimeters dilated (if you allow exams in labor) to allow sufficient time to capture you in labor and for me to be there and prepared for the baby’s arrival. Again, each mom/birth is unique and we will discuss all of the details in our initial meeting.

Call me! Even if the contractions are mild, by giving me the notice it helps to ensure I will make it in sufficient time. Do not worry about false alarms, continue to keep me updated via text or calls.

I am on call beginning 2 weeks before your due date and will remain on call until the baby is born, 38-42 weeks!

I would love to! It will depend on the individual doctor and hospital. I will provide coverage of 1.5 hours prior to, during (if permission from the doctor and hospital is granted), and post delivery. I will try to document this experience in a documentary fashion, just as a story unfolding, as well as documenting your baby's first moments. I will try to capture the raw emotion from getting ready to go in to the OR to those first moments of hearing your newborn cry.

Call me! I will do everything I can to get there.

In reality, the number of births missed altogether are small. It is important that you know how extremely passionate I am about attending births. There is pretty much nothing I would rather do and I will always make a Hurculean effort to be there. I never, ever, ever, want my mamas to walk away feeling disappointed, even in the situations I have zero control over. So here is how I go about mitigating the risks wherever I can.

1. Preparing YOU For Success. I meet with each of my birth families to go over their expectations and plan for birth, and discuss how their preferences might impact their final collection of images. Part of that communication is to explain (and stress) how and when you need to notify and update me. Spoiler Alert: It’s EARLY and OFTEN.
2. Planning Around On-Call. When I am on-call for a birth, my whole life revolves around ensuring I can drop everything and make it to that birth within the on-call window. That means I do not leave town, make plans, or any appointments that cannot be rescheduled last minute or covered by someone else.
3. Lower Cost Packages. If you just can’t wrap your head around spending a thousand dollars with the known risks looming. My Off-Call birth package might be just what you’re looking for. Basically, this package is a Fresh 48 AND a newborn session, but birth coverage can be substituted if I am available when you go into labor. This option saves you money either way and provides a lot of flexibility.

The first thing I need to say here is that once you have reserved birth photography services, your birth photographer is turning away other potential clients and opportunities that couldn’t be rescheduled to ensure she is available to attend your birth. It is up to you to consider all of the package options and decide if the risks are worth the likely reward. Here are some of the things your photographer may offer in response to your question ‘what happens if you don’t make it?’

1. To capture the hours after birth or apply your entire investment toward other sessions (Fresh 48, lifestyle newborn and family session).
2. To apply your deposit ($200) toward another session and refund the remaining investment.
3. To provide a Fresh 48 or Newborn session (or both) and/or a refund of the difference.

The options are likely going to depend upon the scenario in which a birth is missed. Here are a few examples to give you a better idea either what I would do:

• Scenario 1: Client did not keep me sufficiently updated during labor/Refusal of medical staff to allow photography. In both of these cases, the client would be in breach of contract and no refund or compensation would be available. If it’s your lack of communication that causes me to not arrive on time for the birth or you have neglected to obtain permission for photography from your hospital, birth center, mid-wife or OB, I will capture as much as I can and stay to capture newborn moments, bonding with parents, siblings or other family meeting baby, and baby alone.
• Scenario 2: Unexpectedly rapid progress/emergency C-section. Here is a scenario that is very hard to control and or predict. In the case of an emergency C-section, I will get there as soon as possible to provide post birth photos, more like a Fresh 48 session and will schedule a newborn session or 6 month session.
• Scenario 3: My Illness/Emergency. My first course of action is going to be to call a backup photographer. Once your birth is booked, I would communicate with her your contact numbers and how you would like your birth covered. My biggest concern is the safety of you and your child, therefore, with a true illness I would not risk you or your newborns health. Once an emergency occurs, you would be notified and a backup photographer will be notified. Examples include: car accident or family emergency requiring an emergency room trip.
• Scenario 4: Act of God. This is the only scenario in which a client might be entitled to a full refund, depending upon the circumstances. In general, I would take my cue to suspend on-call from local school, government (COVID protocols or other health pandemics) and business closures. Examples could include imminent fire evacuation, earthquake, and car accident. If you were to deliver during a time that on-call has to be suspended, you would be entitled to a full refund. Though I hope you would still choose to apply some of the balance toward a Fresh 48, lifestyle newborn or family session.

Typically I will stay from the time I arrive until one to two hours past delivery. If relatives or siblings are coming to see the new baby, then I would love to stay longer and capture that first meeting.

If your birth ends up in an unexpected c-section, I will go into the OR with permission from your care provider and/or hospital. This issue is something we should answer with your provider before you are 36 weeks and be in full communication of what is allowed, should the situation arise. If I am not allowed in the OR, I will continue photographing as soon as you and the baby come back to the room/nursery and continue the session as normal. If not allowed in the OR, I can add additional time to the post-delivery photography as a Fresh 48 and apply your balance to a newborn session and first birthday/family session.

No. I try to make myself as inconspicuous as possible. Without the use of flash, sometimes the images may have a little grain in them due to the low light situations. I will not ask to turn a lamp on during the middle of your contraction.

Typically most of the birth images are edited and welcomed in black and white, however, if it suits the photograph, I will also process it in color. I would guess it’s around 25% that are returned color and black and white for your gallery.

Since each birth session is uniquely different, the number can vary greatly from 150-400 photographs.

A $200 deposit is required to book the month of your due date. You can then pay the balance as you wish (weekly, monthly, etc.) but the remaining fee must be paid in full by 2 weeks before your due date.