Why Hire a Birth Photographer?

The birth of your child is one of the most important and exciting days of your life! Hiring a birth photographer frees up your partner or other support persons and ensures you get those memorable moments images captured (with your partner in them – which cannot happen if he is behind the lens.) Without a birth photographer, you may be left with just a few photos of the baby after delivery. I will help you to capture the amazing labor process and the incredible birth miracle.

About Birth Photography

Birth and labor are unpredictable. These are not typical portrait sessions; the lighting is usually dim and it’s difficult to plan what’s going to happen. I will shoot glimpses of your labor and birth unfolding naturally in a photo-journal style. Being trained as a birth doula, I will be sensitive to your needs as a laboring woman; I understand my role to document quietly and unobtrusively. Being on both sides of the birth process, I also understand which special moments you may want.

• 1 complimentary interview/prenatal meeting to discuss what to expect, what moments you wish captured, etc. 

• On-call 24/7 for 2 weeks before and after your due date (until the birth)

• Includes coverage of labor (starting around active labor) and birth up to 2 hours afterward

• Digital copies of all edited images.

• All Web-sized watermarked images you may share online. As well as online gallery that can be password protected.

• Professionally custom edited images in a mix of black & white and color

• A DVD video slideshow put to music can be purchased for an additional $40

• Extra prints and products may be ordered through me as well. Price list is on gallery website.

• $50% of the total session fee cost is needed to reserve a space on my calendar as I am only able to book a few births per month in order to help ensure the births do not overlap.

Frequently Asked Questions about Birth Photography

How many images will I receive?

On average you will receive about 50 images (sometimes more), but this varies due to the uniqueness of each birth experience. Some of the images will be in black and white and some in color.

When do you arrive for the birth and how long will you stay?

I come to your birth during active labor (usually around 5cm) and will stay up to 2 hours afterward.

Will photographs from my birth be posted on your website?

Yes, I do post images from the births on my website and Facebook page. However, you will be able to view your images before any of them are shared and let me know if there are any that you deem unsuitable for me to share.  Only the first names of the baby will be shared on the website.

What if you don’t end up making it to my birth?

I only take a few births a month to allow me to have the greatest chance of attending each birth. If I miss your birth due to my error (ie: due to illness, attending another birth, unforeseen emergency), you will receive a full refund. If I miss your birth because it was too fast or you did not call me in time, there is no refund and you will receive a newborn session instead.

How long will it take to receive the images?

You may expect your images in approximately 1-2 weeks, depending on my schedule. Often times, I have the images ready within a few days. It really just depends on the circumstances.

I am concerned about “private shots”; I don’t want just a lot of graphic pictures!

Not to worry! During our prenatal meeting, we will discuss what you would like photographed and what you do not.  Some women want pictures of the baby coming out, others do not. Your comfort is my top priority, so I will photograph as much or as little as you desire.

What if I have a C-Section? Can I still have a birth photographer?

If you are having a planned Cesarean birth, you will want to ask your doctor beforehand if they will allow a photographer in the operating room with you along with any other support persons you have. Some doctors may allow this. If your cesarean is unplanned, you may still ask, but it may be unlikely a photographer can go in with you. However, there are still plenty of beautiful moments to capture after the birth! I am more than happy to stay at the hospital to document those first few moments in the postpartum room, or I can come back later to photograph those sweet bonding times with your newborn.

What if I don’t want the actual labor and birth documented, but I do want pictures of those special first hours?

I can offer you a  1-2 hour lifestyle session at your birth location (hospital, home or birth center) within 48 hours after the birth.

Testimonials from mothers that I have had the pleasure to photograph during their birth process:

“Jackie!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!! there were sooooo many things I missed, whether it be off in my “labour land” or just simply didn’t see it, you have shown me a whole new side to my baby girls birth, and I will hold that dear Forever! Those are fabulous!!!! And completely fine to post on your site…..the water distorts a lot more than I thought it would. Surprisingly enough. And, you are so correct on reminding me what Really happened…..its enlightening. Thank you. Otherwise, many a striking moments would be lost to me…..a gift I never could have known to ask for, but oh so glad you gave it to me!”                                                                                                                                                               -Regina Chelini Dennis 

“Having Jackie at the home birth of my son was so exciting. I couldn’t wait to see my pictures. I could not believe how great they turned out seeing as i had 15 plus people in and out of the room and it being a somewhat smaller room with everyone and everything in there. . It was truely the greatest experience and to have pictures to save those kind of memories and be able to show my son how he was welcomed into our lives. I could not have imagined such a beautiful experience or to have pictures so amazing to tell the story of my baby boy being born. . Not only will i get to tell him the story of his birth but ill have pictures so show him how amazing and how happy we all were to see him for the first time. . . the pictures truely say it all, I may have to make him a book!! Thanks again Jackie!!”

-Holly Hurst