Client Guide

 

Thank you for the opportunity to capture your birth day. I have no doubt it will be a beautiful, love-filled day with many amazing moments. Big and small.


This guide is mostly a collection of suggestions. Birth is a mysterious force and it often has a mind of its own. Don’t worry: as your birth photographer, I’m able to adjust and adapt to whatever course your birth will take. My hope is that this guide will prepare you for what it’s like to have a birth photographer in your birth space and give you the tools to best plan for what will certainly be a memorable day.

WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT YOU?


Please send me a message when you feel like labor is beginning. This allows me to think about the next few days with your birth in mind. I won’t get in my car, but I will make sure that my bag is packed and ready by the door.


Once contractions have intensified and you’ve decided it’s time to call your midwife or head to the hospital, please send me a message or give me a call. If you have a doula, we will be in close communication to ensure optimal timing.  If they are comfortable with a group chat, that is often helpful and cuts down on your need to communicate via multiple conversations while focusing on the main event. My goal is to arrive when you are in active labor. This ensures that my presence won’t distract you or prevent your labor from advancing. If you aren’t sure if you’re in active labor, your care provider will be the best gauge. Below are a few rough guides that can hint at active labor (but remember, active labor looks different for each person!)


•Contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting a minute, for one hour

•Contractions are too intense to walk or talk through

•Contractions are accompanied with rectal pressure

•Dilated to 6 centimeters


Remember, I need two-hour notice. Please don’t hesitate to contact me once you feel like labor has begun.  I always tell my clients that I'd rather be capture more of their story than less of it.  Please keep me posted with any changes as "the real deal" approaches, particularly for 2nd/3rd+ time parents as your labor is likely to go a little faster than a 1st time parent's.  

WHAT ABOUT LIGHTING?


Many birthing parents like to give birth in a dark environment. My camera is equipped to handle low light situations. That being said, I do need SOME light to capture those incredible moments. If I feel like there isn’t enough light in your birth space, I may make some small adjustments. If these bother you, please let me know.



During birth, I will often bounce my flash off the ceiling so I can capture the quick and fleeting moments of birth. My external flash is very different from the flashes that most people are accustomed to. The flash will never be directed near or towards your face and most of my clients aren’t even aware that I’m using it. It operates at 1/128 of a second and would be used sparingly, with intention.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?


Wear whatever is comfortable for you! Many of my clients will wear a sports bra during labor and birth because they want to be able to share some of the images publicly. Solid-color sports bras are a great choice. If you feel the urge to take off your bra during birth, don’t worry. I’m often able to get creative with angles and still capture moments that you can share with family or friends, if you choose to do so.


Many clients will bring meaningful items or jewelry. These will not only provide amazing stories for you to tell your children in the years to come, but they can make your photographs really pop. If you are giving birth in the hospital, consider bringing your own swaddling blankets or baby hats.


Your partner should also wear comfortable clothing. Solid colors are often preferable as loud patterns or logos can distract the eye from the beautiful moments that are unfolding in your family. Some of my favorite choices are solid color t-shirts. Comfortable but also great to photograph.


I encourage both you and your partner to pick out a separate set of clothes that can be worn after birth. Giving birth can be messy, and you may want to change out of what you’ve been wearing. Many of my clients will purchase a robe that coordinates with something their partner or other children will wear. Those first family photos can be priceless. But at the end of it all, remember that what you wear matters far less than what you experience. Don’t stress too much about clothing!

WHEN CAN I EXPECT MY IMAGES?


My birth package includes several sneak-peek images that I process and edit within 24 hours of birth. These images are specifically sized for the web so that you can easily and beautifully announce the birth of your baby online if you choose.


The rest of your images will be edited within 3 weeks. You’ll receive a link to your private and custom gallery where you’ll be able to view and download all your images in both high-res and smaller web-sized files.


WHAT WILL YOU SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA?


I will only share images that you are comfortable with! Your gallery will include a tab entitled “Social Media/Blog Post Images” for you to view and approve.  These images are for you and there's no pressure on my end!