Giving birth is one of the most personal and vulnerable moments in life, which is why I start by meeting with you to build trust and connection. This first meeting allows us to get to know each other, go over a detailed contract and questionnaire, and make sure everyone is on the same page about your birth plan. We’ll also talk about your vision for the images and video (if included in your package) so that your story is captured in a way that feels true to you.

When photographing births, I bring not only my experience as a birth photographer but also my perspective as a mom of four and a trained doula. My role extends beyond the lens—I am there to support you emotionally and physically through every stage of labor. My doula approach is rooted in presence and intuition, offering grounding touch, encouragement, and practical guidance to help you feel strong and safe.

If you’d like, I can provide hands-on comfort measures such as massage, counterpressure, breathing techniques, and body positioning to help ease discomfort and encourage progress. I also support your birth partner, helping them stay involved and confident in their role. Whether you need a steady hand to hold, words of reassurance, or simply a quiet presence, I adapt to your needs in the moment.

By blending photography with doula care, I create a space where you can be fully present in your birth experience, knowing you are supported while also having these incredible moments preserved forever.
 

 

Birth Package

Birth Support
With years of experience in the birth world, I’m here to help you feel confident and prepared when labor begins. I provide evidence-based information to support your birth choices, hands-on pain management techniques, and emotional reassurance throughout your journey.

Price: $1050 + tax

Simply Birth
1 prenatal meeting
Postpartum support & photography
Price: $1500 + tax

Tell a Story
1 prenatal meeting
Postpartum support & photography
1 mini birth video
Price: $2000 + tax

Welcome to the World
1 prenatal meeting
Postpartum support & photography
1 mini birth video
Complimentary Maternity & Newborn Session*
Price: $2400 + tax

📅 On-call starting at 37 weeks

*Session fee for maternity and newborn sessions is waived. Images not included.

Thank you for inviting me to photograph your upcoming birth experience. Since births are a bit different than a standard session, here are some guidelines to insure I can give you the best experience possible. Please read and then provide your signature below. Be sure to print a copy for yourself as well. 

 

Planned vaginal delivery or scheduled induction of labor

I will be on call for you 24/7 from 37 weeks through 43 weeks, ready to support you whenever labor begins—whether it’s early labor at home, active labor in the hospital, or anything in between. If your doctor or midwife schedules an induction or cesarean, please let me know as soon as possible so I can plan accordingly.

As labor begins, I encourage you to keep me updated via phone or text. When you first start feeling contractions and need reassurance, I am here for you. Whether you need guidance on coping techniques at home or just someone to check in with, don’t hesitate to reach out. Please store my number (613-807-0837) in both your and your partner’s phones in advance. Your partner should also keep me updated as things progress.

My goal is to arrive before you reach the point where speaking on the phone becomes difficult. If you're being checked for dilation, please share your progress with me at each check. I typically plan to arrive before you are around 6-7 cm dilated, adjusting based on how quickly your labor is progressing. From the moment I arrive, I will be by your side—offering physical and emotional support, guiding you through contractions, and holding space for you and your birth team.

It takes me approximately 90 minutes from the time of your call to be at your side. Once there, I stay with you through the rest of your labor and birth, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way. After your baby is born, I remain for about two hours to document those first precious moments—baby’s weight, footprints, and the beautiful first interactions between you and your family.

No matter when labor begins or what you need, I am here to support you from the very start.

 
Please contact me as soon as you think you might be in labor so I can begin making plans to be there.

Even if it’s 2 a.m. or a false alarm! I would much rather be ready to roll than to miss the event!
 
It is also helpful for me if you check in after doctor’s appointments in the weeks before labor and let us know how things are progressing and/or if there will be any changes to your initial birth plan.
 

 

Scheduled Cesarean Section

I will provide coverage 1 1/2 hours prior to and during (if permission is granted). Images will be provided in a documentary fashion, documenting your experience as much as possible, as well as documenting your baby's first moments.

Location and Permissions

I will photograph anywhere that I am permitted to attend. Please ensure that you discuss photography with your care provider and obtain permission for me to attend and photograph your birth.

If I am told to stop photographing, leave the room, or am not allowed to be present at the birth for any reason, I cannot be held responsible for missed images or events and your obligations under this Agreement remain in full force and effect.

Rescheduling

 

Due to the nature of a birth session, rescheduling is not permitted.  The client is responsible for contacting the photographer when she thinks she is in labor and with any updates about the labor, so that the photographer can plan accordingly.

Inability to Perform

If I am unable to attend your birth due to illness, family emergency or because I am otherwise incapacitated, I will make reasonable efforts to send a back up photographer to the birth. The contract will remain between you and I, and the backup will be acting as an agent for me. If I am unable to attend and no backup photographer is provided, you may choose to have your retainer applied to other services offered by me. If I provide any coverage on the day of the birth (even if the actual birth is missed due to a very quick birth or failure to provide adequate notice as outlined above) there will be no refunds provided or transfer of fees to another session. It is your responsibility to obtain permission for photography from your care provider. If I attend the birth and am not permitted to photograph any or all of the birth, no refund or transfer of fees will be provided. If I am unable to attend your birth due to the unpredictable nature of birth, the birth retainer may be applied to other services offered by me scheduled at a mutually convenient time at my regular rates.

Missed Images

Birth is fast moving and unpredictable and I am unable to guarantee any specific shots. Also, I can't be responsible for any missed or poor quality images due to poor lighting, crowded locations, medical direction, other cameras, etc.

Generally speaking, I will follow the direction of you and your birth partner. Please discuss your wishes for photography with the other people who may be present at your birth (parents, friend, Doula, etc.) and advise me if there are other people who have permission to ask me to leave the room or stop photographing. I cannot be held responsible for images missed due to being asked to leave the room by medical staff, a birth partner, friend, Doula, or family member and/or lack of communication regarding when to return.

Copyright and Artistic Rights

I retain the copyright and all intellectual property rights and retain all moral rights in and related to all photographs and video (“Content”), except as expressly licensed in this Agreement. I have the exclusive right to make reproductions of the Content for the following purposes: marketing, portfolio, contests, exhibitions, galleries, and/or editorial purposes. If I wish to make any other commercial use of the Content, I will obtain your written permission in advance.

In exchange for your agreement to respect my intellectual property rights, you will receive a non-exclusive, limited release with the purchase of digital files. The release will allow you to print an unlimited number of copies in a variety of sizes and display the digital files on social media for your personal use (i.e. non-commercial purposes). Images are NOT to be resold or distributed to any third party for any reason. My name and copyright must accompany the use of the Content wherever possible.

Social Media Use

I would love for you to share my social media, web or blog posts about your birth through the use of share functions and direct links. Please do not copy, download, screen shot or capture the online photographs in any other fashion. I would ask that you make all reasonable efforts to identify my business name in the caption of all photographs uploaded to social media.

Limitation of Liability

In the unlikely event that I am unable to provide the services outlined in this agreement, or if digital files are lost, stolen or destroyed for any reason, my liability is limited to the return of all payments received from you. The limit of my liability for any partial loss of original files shall be a prorated percentage of the payments I have received equal to the percentage of the original exposures. Under no circumstances am I liable to you for (1) consequential, incidental, punitive, loss of profit or loss of opportunity damages, (2) damages related to replacement services, or (3) any losses whatsoever related to lost images that arise after I have delivered to you all products included in the applicable service. This limitation of liability applies without regard to cause, including the negligence or fault of any party of any other person, breach of duty, representation, or breach or warranty, and without regard to whether any damages, losses, injuries, claims or demands arise from tort, contract or otherwise.

Model Release

By signing this Agreement, you are signing for all persons to be included and photographed on the day of the birth (please list those individuals below). You agree to make reasonable efforts to communicate this model release to all such persons. You hereby grant me permission to use, reuse, publish, and republish the images and/or video, in whole or in part in digital or print form, for any reasonable purpose, including but not limited to marketing, portfolio, contests, exhibitions, galleries, and/or editorial purposes. Notwithstanding the above, I hereby agree not to use or publish any images or video with nudity without your prior consent. You hereby release you, your successors, licensees, and assigns from any and all claims or demands arising out of or in connection with the use of the images or video, including any all claims for invasion of privacy or libel. You hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished product or products or the advertising copy of printed matter that may be used in connection with the images

Severability

If any provision of this agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable under the law, the validity of this agreement shall not be affected and all other provisions of the agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 
Entire Agreement

Please note this form constitutes the entire agreement between you and I for birth photography services and replaces all prior discussions and agreements between us. If either of us wishes to change or add to the agreement, it must be done in writing with all parties agreeing to the change.

 
Governing Law

The laws of the Province of Ontario govern these Terms. Any dispute in respect of this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the City of Ottawa in the Province of Ontario

 

Session Fees

Client agrees to pay photographer the session fee at the end of the session. The session fee covers the time and talent of photographer and creative editing of images, as determined by the photographer. No products are included with this fee. There are no refunds or exchanges of any kind due to the custom nature of portrait photography. A 60% deposit is required to secure booking and a signed and returned contract. The deposit can be sent by e-transfer to: vestasphotography@gmail.com

 

Payment

All payments are due in full unless payment arrangements have been made. Pictures will not be edited until payment in full is received