Birth Story Client Guide
There is no doubt your day will be full of deep emotion that will touch you deep in your very core and change your life forever. Having been in the birth industry for 24 years (19 years as a labor and delivery nurse and the last 6 of my 13 years in business as a birth photographer), and can honestly say I've never grown tired of seeing families' lives forever changed in a single moment. It is a sacred and intimate moment.
What will this momentous life-changing day look like?
As your birth photographer, I can adjust or adapt to whatever course your birth might take. This guide will help 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 undoubtedly be an amazing day.
This guide is mostly a collection of suggestions; each birth is different and often goes in directions you don't anticipate.
Keeping me updated anytime you think you might be in labor keeps me on high alert and ready when you need me. I like to tell my clients that I would rather have ten false alarms versus a 'come now! And miss important moments.
Although each birth story is different, here are some good indicators it might be time:
• Contractions are 3-4 minutes apart for at least an hour
• Contractions are too intense to walk or talk through
• Contractions are accompanied by rectal pressure
• You are dilated 5-6 cms. Remember, I need one hour's notice, if possible. So please don't worry about contacting me too soon.
Many women 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 and emotions. If there isn’t enough light in your birth space, I may make minor adjustments; we can discuss your preferences during our meeting.
The lighting in hospital rooms can vary in color and change quickly as things progress and spotlights or additional lights are added. Your room can go from dark to bright, intense setting in moments, and knowing how to work in any lighting situation is vital in birth photography. I have worked hard and honed my skills at using various lights, and knowing my gear inside out allows me to change settings quickly and accurately.
During birth, I will often bounce my flash off the ceiling or adjacent wall if needed to capture the quick and fleeting moments of birth. My external flash is very different from the flashes most people are accustomed to. My flash will never be directed near or toward your face, and most of my clients aren’t even aware that I am using it.
What about lighting?
Wear what is comfortable for you (if your birth facility allows it). Many of my clients will wear sports bras during labor and birth because they want to be able to share some of the images publicly. Solid-colored sports bras are a great choice. Don't worry if you feel the urge to take off your bra during birth, don't worry. I can often get creative with angles and still capture moments you can share with family and friends.
If you are giving birth in a hospital, consider bringing your 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 unfolding moments. Some of my favorite choices are solid-colored t-shirts; they are comfortable and look great in images.
I encourage you and your partner to pick out a separate set of clothes for after your 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 pretty robe that coordinates with something their baby or partner is wearing, and those first family photographs can be priceless. But in the end, remember that what you wear matters far less than what you experience. So don’t stress too much about clothing!
My photography-only and photography+video packages include 5-6 image sneak peeks I process and edit within 24-48 hours of birth. These images are specifically sized for the web so that you can easily and beautifully announce the delivery of your baby.
Your images will be delivered within 3-4 weeks. For photography-only birth stories, you can expect 100+ beautifully hand-edited images and an 8x8 album designed to include your favorite photos.
Photography + video birth stories will still have 75+ hand-edited images and an 8x8 custom-designed photo book of your favorite images.
You will also receive your Birth Story Video (an average length of 3-7 minutes) within 4-6 weeks. There is no more extraordinary medium than video to capture those first cries, words of encouragement, and emotions as they unfold during birth!
You can download your full-sized, full-resolution images right from your private password-protected gallery. You will also receive a custom USB with both your images and video (if booking a video story).
I only share images that you are comfortable with on my website and social media sites. My clients find me through internet searches and my social media sites, so I really appreciate sharing the beauty of birth there. If you are uncomfortable with that, let me know. I believe birth stories can be told beautifully and tastefully from the right angles.
