It is an honor to be invited to document one of the most sacred, intimate and spiritual days you will ever experience in this life. Thank you for trusting me and my services during your labor and delivery. 

With that said, many different and strong emotions, instincts and hormones occur during labor and birth. You might find at any given moment that you no longer feel comfortable being photographed. Should this occur, please let me know and I will politely leave the room. I will not be offended. One of the most important factors for labor to progress is for you to feel comfortable. I respect all decisions you make to feel comfortable and put you and your baby's well being first. Should this be requested, please let me know if you would like me to return during the first 48 hours after birth to photograph you, your little one and family for a fresh 48 session.

My experience with Labor and Birth

I have been a DONA Certified Birth Doula and Placenta Encapsulation Specialist since 2017, and my certifications are current. While I am not attending your birth as a Birth Doula, I am willing to share my knowledge with you. If you would like to request Doula support at any point at your birth, please do so. For example, if your labor is stalling and you would like a position suggestion to move labor forward, please ask! If i could give all people one piece of advice it would be to ask if it is safe to take a little time to make a decision if the doctor or midwife is asking you to decide on a procedure.

Unless you ask me questions or speak to me, I plan to be as close to invisible and silent as possible throughout your labor, birth and immediately postpartum. I have no plans to be a support person in any way unless you ask. 

I am also a parent who has given birth! My first birth was an induction followed by an unmedicated vaginal delivery. My second birth was a planned surgical birth (cesarean). I was so nervous that I asked the doctor to give me the strongest drugs available to calm my nerves. Why am I telling you this about myself? The point I am trying to make is that every birth is different, and you will make decisions that is the best for you and your baby.

There is absolutely no judgement from me on what you decide to do in labor and birth, I want you to feel comfortable to make decisions on medical procedures with me there and do what is best for you. 

 

Planned vaginal delivery or scheduled induction of labor

I will be on call for your birth 24/7 from 38 weeks through 42 weeks gestation. If your doctor or midwife schedules an induction or planned cesarean for you, please let me know immediately so I can plan that date accordingly. Please keep me updated via telephone or text when you leave for the hospital and upon admission. Birth partners should keep me updated via text. My goal is to be at your place of delivery or labor before you hit the point where you can no longer speak on the phone. If you are being checked for dilation, please keep me posted with your progress at each check. I plan to arrive when you are 6-7cm dilated, depending on how rapidly your birth is progressing. Please note that it takes me approximately 60-90 minutes to arrive at the birth location from your initial phone call to being by your side. I will stay with you through the rest of your labor/birth, and 1 hour post birth to document weight, footprints, family/baby interaction, etc.

 
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, during (if permission is granted), and 1 hour post-delivery. Images will be provided in a documentary fashion, documenting your experience as much as possible, as well as documenting your baby's first moments.

Your birth session includes

Unlimited coverage starting at 6cm, active labor, delivery, and 1 hour post-delivery.

Sneak peek and 8 photos within 24 hours to share with family & friends.

Our time begins when we arrive at your birthing facility (when you are in active labor, or 6-7cm) and ends 1 hour after birth. 

Image releases

Due to the private and very personal nature of birth photographs, NWPhotography respects the Client's wishes regarding using or not using specific images. Upon delivery of the images, the photographer will ask the client which photos may or may not be used for business purposes and posted on websites and portfolios.

Photo quality

Upon viewing samples of my work, you have decided to invest in services to photograph your birth because you are confident that I can give you results which you will cherish. 

There is no way to guarantee or know the quantity or quality of photos that will be produced from this endeavor simply because this is an event in the future. I agree to hold my images to the highest standard and do everything in my power to produce quality images of your birth. I cannot promise that Client's images will be an exact duplicate of any requested image. 

 

CAMERA FLASH Depending on the room light, I may use a fill flash, but my goals is to not need to use it. If I do use flash and there’s ever a point when the flash becomes a problem and it’s interrupting you, just let me know and I’ll discontinue using the flash. I’ll figure out another way. You’re hiring me for great images and the flash can provide really great quality images when indoors, and that’s why I choose to use it. But your comfort is the most important thing, so please let me know if it becomes an issue.