Births
My love of pregnancy, labor and birth began when I was in high school. I was taking a child development course when a doula came to visit our class to talk about childbirth. Even at 16 years old I was awed by the beauty, the power and the magic of childbirth. That fascination grew even stronger once I became pregnant with my own children. It was so empowering to go though the process of having a baby. I was able to do it with my wonderful birthing team made up of the world’s best midwife, Toni Erikson, my incredible husband, and my amazing mother-in-law. I was able to have two drug free births, and I even had a water birth with my son.
After my own wonderful birth experiences, I had the privilege of being a part of a friend’s birth, as well as the birth of my niece. I loved being a labor support so much that I decided to go to school to become a doula. I began taking the steps to become a full time doula around the same time I discovered my passion for photography. I had already completed my doula certification course at Bates Technical College, and was on my way to becoming DONA Certified. I made a choice to pursue my photography career instead of becoming a full time doula, a choice that although difficult, I will never regret.
As time has passed, I have been able to combine these two passions, and now am pleased to offer professional birth photography. My main objective in the birthing room is to get beautiful pictures of your labor and birth, but because of my doula experience, I am also able to offer strong labor support when needed. I have photographed home births, hospital births, and midwife clinic births, and worked with other doulas as well.
Here’s how it works:
When you hire me to be your birth photographer, we will schedule a meeting before the birth for us to get to know each other. I want you to be 100% comfortable with me in the room during your birth; this is one of the most intimate moments in your life, and you need to be able to trust me and feel at ease with me there. I will also want to talk to you about your birth plans, what you envision your birth photos to look like, and what your comfort level is.
When you begin labor, give me a call so that I can arrange childcare and carpools for my family. I have a VERY understanding family, and a great support system of people who can help me out at a moment’s notice, day or night. Don’t ever hesitate to call me, even if it is 3:00 in the morning!
I will meet you at your midwife’s or at your hospital whenever you are in active labor. I will take photos of you in labor, detail shots of things around the room, as well as help you with any labor support you may need. I am also happy to be the “gofer” for anyone that needs water, food or anything else!
After baby is born, I collect as many important moments as I can within an hour or so; this is your time to bond with baby and be together as a family.
Once you are settled at home, about one or two weeks after the birth, I will come and do your baby’s first photos. I ADORE newborn photography, and the best time to do these sessions is one to two weeks after the birth. I bring all of my backdrops, lighting, blankets and props with me so that we can do the photoshoot from the comfort of your own home. To see my newborn photography, see my portraits page (click on the Babies album).
COST:
Because birth is so unpredictable, I don’t charge hourly for birth photography. I charge one bulk price, whether you have a short, easy labor or a long, difficult labor.
My Birth Photography Package includes:
- Unlimited birth photography and labor support during your labor and birth
- Approx. 1 hour of post birth photos: weighing, measuring, siblings, family, etc.
- A beautiful, 1-2 hour Newborn photoshoot once you are settled at home
- A private, password protected gallery of your photos with downloading options
- A high resolution disc of fully edited photos from the birth and newborn shoot with printing rights
- A complimentary slide show of the birth that I create for you to show to your friends and family
The price for this complete package is $1,500. I ask that this be paid in full by the beginning of your 3rd trimester to reserve my services. I only take on one birth every few months to ensure that I am available whenever you go into labor.
In the event that you don’t make it to your place of birth, or I don’t make it in time, or you forget to call me when you go into labor, your deposit will then go toward photoshoots with me, either family photos, newborn photos, or however else you choose to use my services.
In the event of a c-section, I most likely will not be allowed in the OR. I will lend my camera (set to auto) to whomever is accompanying you, and then edit those photos along with the rest of the photos from the day.