WHAT IS BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY?

 

There are quite a few misconceptions about what birth photography is and who it is for.  As a birth photographer, I tell the story of the birth of your new baby through beautiful imagery.  Lyndsay Stradtner has a pretty comprehensive and nicely written article on the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers website.  You can find that article, as well as links to some lovely images, here.

 

WHY BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY?

 

Although I could post a bunch of great reasons right here, I'm going to send you over to this article that explains ten good reasons why birth photography is such a wonderful addition to your birth experience.  What this article doesn't mention is that it can also allow family who are not able to be there the chance to share that time with you.

 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

 

Please contact me for pricing.  

 

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

 

There are a variety of packages for senior photography.  Birth photography is different, since many of the images are so private.  The birth photography package includes a beautiful slide show set to music, an album of all of your favorite images, and a set of low resolution, watermarked images on CD that you can share on social media, if desired.  You are also welcome to purchase prints a-la-carte.  Give me three weeks to go through everything, edit the photos, and put the slideshow and order together, but you should receive everything well before then.  :)

 

WHEN SHOULD I CALL YOU?

 

Call me as soon as you go into active labor--the sooner the better!  I will drop everything and be there as soon as humanly possible, and will stay afterwards to get pictures of all of those precious new moments and details, including that relaxing herbal bath if you have one, weighing, measuring, meeting siblings, teeny toes and fingers, and so forth.  All so priceless.  I should be able to make it, if given the right amount of time.  I will require a reasonable amount of time to enable childcare to arrive for my children and to be on my way.  If labor is going normally, but I am not called in soon enough, then I will be unable to return the retainer fee.  If, however, labor is fast and there is nothing that could be done (think, born in a taxi or, as is one case that I know of, in the hospital lobby!!), then I can either stay and photograph postpartum and you will pay as normal OR you can call or text to let me know that I'm not needed, I will return the retainer, and you can use it towards a newborn photography session with a photographer of your choice. 

 

WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG?

 

On rare occasions, emergencies arise during childbirth.  If at any time you or your health care professional do not want me to be there, I will immediately withdraw from the room.  

 

DO YOU OFFER GIFT CERTIFICATES?

 

Yes I do!  Please give me a call to purchase.

 

 

WHY BLACK AND WHITE?

 

Most birth photography is done in black and white to minimize distracting elements such as blood, medical equipment, and so forth.   Black and white  beautifully captures emotion and ensures more photos that you will be comfortable sharing with family and friends.  I may offer a few images in colour, at my discretion.  

 

DO YOU USE A FLASH IN BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY?

 

No!  I only use available light, although I will have a flash on hand, which I may use well after your baby has been born and you are feeling better.  I want to be as discrete and unobtrusive as posible, and flash photography can be really distracting to both the laboring mother and medical personel.  I also don't think a flash would be pleasant to brand new baby peepers, either.  The last thing I want to do is to get in the way of your focus or your birthing team's work.  I am a fly on the wall, not a paparazzo!  I have a camera that handles low light well, and the mode that I shoot in allows for a lot of manipulation during editing to bring up the light while still keeping the image nice and clear.  

 

DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH CAESAREAN BIRTHS?

 

It depends on hospital policy.  Some hospitals do not allow photos in the operating room.  Others limit the people in the room.  Some are fine with photographers there.  Please check with your obstetrician.  I will be there if I can, and if I cannot, I will hand my camera to someone to take a shot or two if possible.

 

WILL MY BIRTH IMAGES GO ONLINE?

Only with your permission.  So far, I have two families with photos online, as birth photography is really new in my area and tends to be regarded as private between family members.  I would love to have more, so people can see the lovely, inspiring images and then call me!  I might even give you and incentive in a print or two, if you allow some of your images to be posted--at least until I have more up.  :)   I promise that even if given permission, I will never put anything graphic online.   Heck, I try to avoid taking anything graphic anyway.  I'm not there to capture what's going on "down there,"  but rather I'm there to record the emotions and the story  of your baby's birth in a tasteful way. You will have the final say in what goes online.  I value you, your privacy, and the growth of my business too much to put anything there that you won't be comfortable with.  

 

DO YOU DO NEWBORN AND CHILD PHOTOGRAPHY?

 

I have done so, but it's not something I do very often.  There are those in the area that specialize in it, and I can refer you if you'd like.

 

WHEN SHOULD I BOOK  A SESSION?

 

Since I do a limited number of birth sessions a month to avoid two clients going into labor at the same time, please book as soon as possible to ensure a space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​