Frequently Asked Questions​

• Do you take pictures of "that?" - My answer is and always will be hell yes! If you want crowning and delivery pictures (and most of my clients do), I take them with pride! It's an incredible event to witness, and I will gladly take those photos for the rest of my days. But, Birth Photography is also about SO MUCH MORE than just the moment of birth. Birth photography is about capturing the strength of the laboring mother, her partner caring for her, and all of the many emotions and details that are part of the birth of a new life! This is equally true for clients who have cesareans or "belly births." My job is the same - photograph the details, the emotions, your partner supporting you, your baby's entrance into the world (no, seeing the process doesn't bother me a bit), and you meeting your new baby.
• ​Will you post the photographs online? - This is completely up to you. You can choose to give me full rein over what gets shared. You can pick and choose what you don't want me to share - crowning, pictures where your face is visible, etc. Or you can choose not to sign the Model Release which means I won't ever share any of your pictures.
• When will you show up? - My goals is to arrive at the hospital once you're in active labor but before "transition." Preferably when you're around 5-6 cm dilated. Communication from you and/or your partner is tantamount to this happening. I'd much rather be early and hang out in the waiting room with a book then be running in the door as you're pushing!
• How long will you stay? I stay from arrival until at least an hour after baby has arrived. During this time I capture images of you bonding as a family, babies details, weight, first nursing session, etc. This means I could be with you for 2 hours or 20 hours - I'm in this with you until the end. 
• Do I get any money back if I have a super short labor or scheduled induction? Regardless of the length of your labor, each birth requires a similar amount of work for me. A scheduled induction or scheduled cesarean still carry the potential for you to go into labor before your scheduled date - therefore I still go on call. Your investment isn't just to cover the time I spend with you on your special day, but also my time on-call and the editing of your images. Should you have a c-section, it will be up to you (and your partner) to advocate for me to be allowed to join you in the operating room. If I am denied access, I will send my back-up camera in with your support person, and then I will take back over once you're in recovery.
• What if I have a cesarean? - Belly birth or vaginal birth - either are fine with me! I request that you left your doctor know that you've hired me during one of your prenatal appointments. It is up to you (and your partner) to advocate for me to be allowed into the operating room with you. This needs to be addressed with your OB as well as the anesthesiologist! If I am denied access, I will send my back-up camera in with your support person, and then I will take back over once you're in recovery. 
• Do I have to get approval from my doctor and/or hospital? - I request that you left your doctor know that you've hired me during one of your prenatal appointments. It is up to you (and your partner) to advocate for me to be allowed into your birth space, to remain in the room for any procedures, or to join you in the operating room if a c-section is needed.  
• What if you miss the birth? - No photographer can 100% guarantee they won't miss a birth. My own OB-GYN missed MY birth. And I have a friend who delivered her baby girl in the hospital parking lot! Birth work is like that and babies don't always wait. What I can guarantee is that I will move heaven and earth to get to you! I have a nanny who goes on call for me when I go on call for you (and she's used to me calling her at 2 am) as well as living less than an hour both from my mother and in-laws. This is also why I ask you to communicate with me as soon as you even think you might be in the early stages of labor. But, if all of those safety measures fail and I do miss your birth, you will be compensated with a Fresh 24/48 session as well as a Premium Newborn session.
• When should I book you? - I accept a very limited number of births each month so I recommend booking your birth as soon as possible.
• Do you offer discounts or have a payment plan? -
  • Clients of my collaborative care partners, Belly to Cradle, LLC receive $150 off their Birth Photography coverage. 
  • Anyone booking a Birth package is welcome to make payments on their package. After the retainer fee (30% of the package) has been received, payments can be made in any amount at any time as long as the birth portion of the balance is paid in full by the time the mother reaches 38 weeks gestation. 
  • I also offer a gift registry! As your due date nears, friends and family will ask you "what do you still need for baby?" Why not send them a link to my gift registry so they can contribute to your coverage of this momentous event!
• Do you use a flash? - I do use a flash at births. The birth space is often dimly lit and there has to be some light in order for my camera to lock focus. I've never had a client who was bothered by my flash, or even noticed it. My flash is always pointed up at the ceiling to softly bounce light down on you.
• How many photographs will I receive? - The number of photographs receives varies for each birth due to differing labor times. On average galleries contain about 100 images.
• How long will it take to receive my photographs after the birth? - You will receive 1-2 images via email as a sneak peek and to use for a birth announcement within 24-hours of your delivery. The full gallery will take up to 2 weeks for delivery as I hand edit each image personally.