FAQ
How does birth photography work?
Birth photography is different from other types of photography. Births can happen at any time, which means I am on call for you, 24/7, starting at 38 weeks. When you go into labor, you call me up and I come to your chosen birth place to photograph your birth.
Are you Really on call 24/7?
Yes! Even if you go into labor at 3 o’clock in the morning, I will be there. This includes missing family and other events that I might have scheduled. It means that I do not go anywhere outside of about a half-hour radius of my home until you have delivered. My life revolves around your birth!
What if my birth is long?
I understand long births. All three of my labors were long. Your time with me is not limited. I arrive at the hospital when you are in active labor (around 6 cm dilated) and I stay until up to two hours after the baby is born, regardless of how long that takes. If your labor is long, I will take breaks while staying close by and if it is longer than 12 hours I may have to call a backup, but someone will be there when the baby comes!
What happens if you are sick or have an emergency?
Any good birth photographer works with backups. While it is unlikely that I would need to miss your birth, situations can arise that make it so I cannot be there. If that is the case, my backup photographer will attend your birth.
What happens if you miss the birth?
In the unlikely event that I do miss your birth, I will come to your birth place as soon as possible to capture the after-birth moments, and I will also provide a complimentary Fresh 48 newborn session.
What if the baby comes fast?
The most important thing to remember here is that good communication is so important. Letting me know when there is even a sign of labor can help me be ready to go when the time comes. However, sometimes a birth happens too fast for me to make it. If that is the case, I will come as soon as I can and capture the after-birth moments, and I will also provide a complimentary Fresh 48 newborn session.
How far do you travel?
I want to make sure that I can be at your birth, so I try not to book births farther than 1 hour from my home to ensure that I have time to arrive at your birth. I ask that clients give me a two-hour window to arrive, which is why communication is so, so important. This means that I am available within a 1-hour drive of my business address.
What if I have a C-section?
If you are having a c-section, scheduled or otherwise, finding out from your provider whether I will be able to be in the OR can allow us to plan for your session. And yes! You can still have wonderful birth photos even when you are having a C-section.
Do you do hospital and home births?
I am available for any type of birth at any location: hospitals, homes, birth centers, etc.
Should I tell my doctor about you?
Yes, telling your provider that you plan to have a birth photographer present gives them the opportunity to be prepared and to be comfortable with me there.
When should I call you to come to the birth?
This goes back to the communication we were talking about. Letting me know when there are signs of labor helps me make it to your birth on time. You want me to arrive when you are in active labor (around 6 cm dilated). Making sure I am up to date is key
Do I have to have "graphic" photos?
The photos that I take are guided by your personal preference. I have had mothers who wanted to see the raw birth of their child and mothers who wanted everything to be kept above the belt. What are you comfortable with, and what images do you want to have? It is really your call.
What if I don't want anyone else in the room with me?
One thing to remember is that I am just another professional who is responsible for supporting you through your birth. I think you will find that it doesn’t feel much different than just having another nurse in the room.
Are you going to use my images for your portfolio?
Once again, this is really your call. I need images on my website and portfolio in order to show people my work. But what you are and are not willing to share is up to you. I never share graphic images of birth, but if you are uncomfortable with your other images being shared, this is something we can discuss at your consultation.
How many images can I expect? Are they B&W or color?
I deliver anywhere from 80-150 fully edited digital images of your birth. Most of the photos will be in B&W, with some color photos included.
What about low light? Do you use flash?
Shooting in natural light is my preferred method, however, births can often be very dark. While I have the capability of shooting in low-light, the pictures that I can get with a flash are much crisper and brighter and have a more even coloring. I will never shoot a flash directly at you or your newborn baby, and if you find that the flash is bothering you during labor, I will find another light source to continue photographing.
When should I book?
Because of the on-call nature of birth photography, I can only accept a few clients a month. In order to make sure I have room for you on my calendar, you should book as early as possible. But do not hesitate to reach out if you are further on in your pregnancy. I frequently have space in my calendar for additional births.
What are my payment options?
There is a non-refundable $250 deposit due upon booking with me. The remaining balance must be paid by the time you are 37 weeks along. Payments may be made during your pregnancy as long as the balance is paid by 37 weeks.
Do you offer maternity/newborn photos?
My specialty is birth. I also provide Fresh 48 sessions to be taken the day or two after your child’s birth. I can offer other types of sessions, but there are photographers more qualified than I am.
How do we get started?
The first step is to book your free, no-obligation consultation. We will meet to discuss all of the details and all of your birth photography FAQs, and if you are ready, you can book at that time. To set up a time for your consult, click the button below.