Welcome, I am so glad you are here.
I can’t wait to help you tell the story of your birth.
Birth photography tells the story of one of the most important days in our lives - the day that we were changed forever - the day that we learned the magnitude of our love. It is the story of connections, love and support. It is beauty, intensity, struggle and ultimately joy and triumph.
People who choose birth photography are those who want to see. When a woman is in labour, she is inward. She often does not notice what is going around her. Birth photography will remind her that her partner was beside her the whole time. She will see the tears in her partner’s eyes. She will see the look of love in her own eyes as she gazes upon her baby for the first time.
SHE WILL SEE MOMENTS SHE WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE MISSED.
I Understand Birth
I fell in love with birth photography shortly after the birth of my son, almost 10 years ago. I laid in bed at 8 months pregnant, joyfully crying at every birth story I watched. I photographed my first birth in May 2012, 14 months after my son was born and I never looked back. I fell in love. I feel blessed to have found what I am passionate about, something I do not call work.
I absolutely love what I do.
My promise to you is to hold space for you, to honour your birthing space with love, respect and free of any judgement. Having documented close to 100 births, at every hospital in Edmonton, with every midwifery clinic, at our local birth centre, in homes, in water, on toilets, in candlelight and in emergency situations, I trust my knowledge and expertise will serve you in your most intimate moments.
My Approach to Your Birth
I believe that a birth photographer should be a witness to the process with the main goal being to highlight the strength and love inherent in the birthing process. Generally speaking, I will not direct or interact during the birth. I believe that the medical professionals take priority and I will defer to their requests and needs. Above all, I will honour the needs and wishes of the birthing mom and do whatever is in my power to honour and protect the birthing space. I will, however, offer help and support if I sense that it might be needed (particularly to the support team, other family members, siblings, etc.).
Why Hire a Professional?
You may be already sold on the idea of birth photography but to many, the thought of having yet another person in the room especially one with a camera seems crazy. That said, birth is a transformative process. Without a doubt, you and your partner will be changed by your birth experience. I believe that a woman who feels loved and strong after childbirth is the best positioned to transition to motherhood. I will help to show you your strength and the love that surrounds you and your new baby.
I know when to arrive, when to leave the room so that the mom can progress with her labour, what energy to bring to the situation and how to control my own emotions, opinions and judgment. I know the best place to be to catch the strongest images. I have invested in the best gear possible so that I can capture beautiful images in every birth environment. And most importantly I will interact with medical staff professionally and ethically.
You may think that your partner, your doula or another family member can capture these images. But during the birth, those people will be pretty busy supporting you and being fully present on your needs and experiencing the day themselves.
The Birth of Violet
Home Water Birth Story
Birth Films
When I want to remember something as special as my baby’s birth day I want to remember everything. What better way to remember every detail, every moment, and every sound than to add video to your birth story? The fleeting expressions and the intense emotions, the sounds, the many firsts and the heartfelt reactions of all those present, can be captured and weaved into a powerful birth film. Adding video to your baby’s birth story creates a whole new visual expression and will bring a whole new level of life to your birth story. It enables to you to engage in your sense of sound and sight.
I want to remember what I said the first moment I met them, how I sounded during my contractions, the words of encouragement my husband said to me as I laboured, every detail and moment captured with movement and sound.
ASK YOURSELF WHAT WOULD YOU MISS IF YOU JUST HAD IMAGES?
Birth Photography Collections
Birth Photography
A pre-consulation meeting (at ~35 weeks) to discuss your vision for your birth photography experience.
Your photographer on call from 37 weeks and available 24/7 until your delivery
A back up photographer in the event I cannot make it.
Full birth coverage from active labour until 2 -3 hours after delivery.
Online gallery delivery of your hand edited birth images.
A 14 x 11, 40 page Heirloom Storybook Album.
$2950First Hours & Cesearean’s
A pre-consulation meeting (at ~35 weeks) to discuss your vision for your birth photography experience.
Your photographer on call from 37 weeks and available 24/7 until your delivery
A back up photographer in the event I cannot make it.
Full birth coverage 2 -3 hours after delivery.
Online gallery delivery of your hand edited birth images.
A 14 x 11, 40 page Heirloom Storybook Album.
$2450Fresh 48 Session
These sessions take place within the first 48 hours after birth. They can be at the place of birth or at your home. During a Fresh 48 session, I love to capture baby meeting his/her new family members, first nursing sessions, skin to skin time, and anything and everything else that there is to take in with a freshly born baby.
2hrs. of coverage, during daytime hours.
Online gallery delivery of your hand edited fresh 48 digital images.
$1400A 14 x 11 Storybook Album is included with every birth package.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Build Your Perfect Birth Package
Don’t see what you are looking for? Get in touch with me for a custom quote.
ADD AN Image SlideshowA 5 to 8 minute slideshow of your birth images to music.
$450add video fusion
Add video clips of those important moments throughout your birth story and bring your slideshow to life. I will add 25 - 35+ video clips to your 5-8 minute birth slideshow.$950Add a full video of your birthI will create a 5 - 8 minute full length video of your birth story.
$1650add an iphone video of your deliveryI will set up my iPhone on a small tripod to capture your delivery. The video will not be edited.
$200$450album upgradeUpgrade your album from 40 to 100 pages at this time (Book at this time to save $50).
Add a 3 hour intimate motherhood session when booking your birth and save $200. This session is perfect for capturing your precious newborn, pregnancy or postpartum journey.
FAQ
Birth photography & COVID 19
At this time birth photographers are allowed at home births and birth centre births. I will take all necessary health measures while at your birth, including wearing a mask, washing my hands often, not touching anyone or any surface in your home and keeping my distance as much as possible. I will also provide a back up birth photographer should I have any symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive. At this time, hospitals are allowing an additional support person if approved by your care team and is on a case by case basis. If you are having a hospital birth and would like to have a birth photographer but are unsure if I can get in, please reach out to me…I am more than happy to offer a refund if I am not allowed in.
When should I book you?
I take on a limited number of birth clients each month so I would recommend booking and paying your deposit as early as possible. That said, I am a last minute person myself and sometimes that works out perfectly so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
How many births have you documented?
99 as of March 2021. (Hospital - 40, Home - 44, Birth Centre - 15)
When should I call you? When will you come? How long will you be at my birth?
You should call me as soon as you know that you are in labour during daytime hours (7am to 11pm). If it’s in the middle of the night I do not need a heads up that labour has started, please call when you need me to come. Keep in mind that depending on the time of day, I may need up t0 2 hours to secure child care and deal with traffic. During our initial consultations, we will decide whether or not you want me to come to your house (if you are planning a birth center or hospital birth) or meet you at the birth center or hospital and I will plan accordingly.
Generally speaking, I will try to arrive right around the time active labour begins. After the birth, I will typically stay
for 2 to 3 hours in order to document examination, weighing, cuddles and first feeding. Births have been anywhere from 4 hours to 24 hours.If you are planning on a home birth and need to transfer to the hospital, I will come with you unless it is an emergency situation and not possible. Typically in those cases, I will offer to visit you in the hospital as soon after as possible to take some images of that part of your birth story.
What if I end up needing an emergency cesarean?
C-section births make for beautiful birth stories and no matter how your baby enters this world it should be documented. I will be with for whatever I am allowed to be. If you transfer to the hospital, I will be there as long as I can and if I am allowed into the OR, I will also capture that or provide Dad with my back up camera (set to auto mode). And I will stay until I can see you again, either in recovery or postpartum and capture those precious first few hours.
What if I miss the birth?
Birth is unpredictable and missed births happen. It’s only happened once in my experience and a first time mama went from 8cm to delivery in less than 20 minutes! No one can plan for that! I am always prepared and ready to go when I am on call. In the case where I cannot make it because I am at another birth or I am ill, I will send an experienced back up birth photographer. If I miss the birth because your labour was super fast, I will still come to your place of birth to document as much of the story as I can. If I have missed too much, I will be happy to offer a second session for you at a later date. This can be a Fresh 48 session, intimate motherhood session or family session.
Do I have to share images/video online?
Definitely NOT. Your privacy is of the utmost importance to me and I will respect it at all times. I will ask you to post/publish certain images in various media. I believe in publicly sharing birth photography as my small way of helping to normalize birth and reduce fear. In all cases, I select what I believe to be only the most respectful and positive images for public display similar to what you see on my website. Most of my clients are super proud of themselves and their birth story and are excited to have it shared on my blog. That said, you will always have a chance to review the images and blog posts before they are published and I will not publish anything before you have had a chance to share your news.
How soon after my birth will I see my images/video?
Just shortly after your birth, usually in the first 24-48 hours I will send you a few sneak peaks. These are perfect for announcing to your family and friends online or in email. Then about 4-6 weeks after your birth you will see your full gallery of birth images. If you ordered a video, please allow an additional 2 weeks for your birth story. I take my time editing your birth story so you have time to process your birth first. Seeing images and moments from your birth, will take you back to every feeling you had that day, even the pain. And a little bit of time allows some small details to fade into the background.
How to Proceed
1. first things first, get in touch!
If you thinking of having your birth documented, reach out, I am here if you have any questions or if you’re ready to move forward, shoot me an email to check availability. I take on a limited amount of birth clients each month, it is wise that you reach out as soon as possible. Most clients book me around 3/4 months pregnant. Once you know I’m available for your due date, I’d be thrilled to help you choose which products & services would be the best fit for your family. If you want, we can also schedule a phone call or in-person meeting as well.
2. Complete the online booking forms.
Once you’re ready to book I will send you an online quote. From there you will select your package and any upgrades and you will accept the quote. Carefully review the agreement, and if you don't have any questions, sign it electronically at the bottom. After the contract is submitted, you'll be taken to your invoice where you’ll pay the non-refundable deposit (30% of your total fee) to secure your due date on my calendar. This is also the time at which I can set up a payment plan for the remaining balance.
3. The best part, we meet and chat!
This is my favourite part, meeting YOU and talking all things birth! At about 35 weeks, we sit down, chat and get to know each other. We talk about your vision for your birth, anything special that you want captured, how I can support you during your labour, when to call me and what to expect with your images and video after your birth.
