Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I get a birth photographer? Can’t my family take photos?
Outside the birth of your baby, your wedding was probably the biggest day of your life. You probably had a professional photographer, or even two, to cover that event. You wanted to trust the final product would represent your special day and have all your love ones relaxed and in the shots.
Having an experienced birth photographer there will ensure that your birth story is told through powerful images of raw human emotion. It will give you the details that you might miss from your hospital bed. It allows your family to support you and not to worry about missing a moment. It ensures the little details are captured that someone less experienced might not think to photograph. It allows your husband to hold your hand and be fully present. The hours of labour and delivery will pass just as quickly as the hours of your wedding day but your birth photographer will make sure you have the details of the day captured to relive for years to come.
What if I get hysterical? Or things get too intense?
We're birth photographers, and your birth isn't our first. We've seen it all before. Different women respond differently to birth and that's 100% ok! You can be confident that nothing you do will surprise us. Scream, yell, swear, ignore us completely, go into the zone, vomit, cry, beg for it to stop — it won't rattle us. We actually love the intensity of labour and birth!
I'm very modest and concerned about too much being photographed.
It's very normal to have this thought. But don't worry! We tailor your experience to your preferences. Some mummas want everything captured, like full nudity, the crowning, the placenta, breastfeeding – and some don't. We consider being in that space an honour and we believe it is sacred, so we are very sensitive to the needs and comfort of our clients.
Will the images be flattering?
Although you may not feel your prettiest, we honestly think a curvy woman full with child, bringing a new life into the world is one of the most stunning sights ever. You may be self-conscious about extra pregnancy kilos you've gained or you might cringe at the thought of a camera in your sweaty face as you push. But we do everything we can to capture you BEAUTIFULLY. These aren't glamour photos, to be sure, but we are very intentional about composing our shots so they capture your best.
Will my images remain private or do they have to be posted online?
Your images are just that — YOURS. It is entirely up to you who gets to see them. Some mummas are so delighted for us to share their beautiful moments on our social media accounts, website and print materials. And others would prefer some are kept private. After you've received all your images, we will request permission to share them. They will never appear anywhere unless you've consented!
What are the images like? And How many will I receive?
All our images are black and white. There is a lot of blood and many babies and mothers become quite blotchy on their face and body during birth so we like to keep our images consistent and classy. Check out some of our blog posts here.
The amount of images depends on which package you choose. But rest assured, there are always plenty, or at least that's what our lovely clients always tell us!
How much does it cost?
We have a variety of Push Packages — request them to be emailed to you here. Payment plans are available. We also have a Baby Shower Registry so you can invite your friends and family to contribute to your chosen package. There are also Gift Certificates that can be purchased.
Will we meet you before the big day?
Yes! We would love to meet with you and your partner and chat through any questions you may have. It's also a nice opportunity to get to know each other a little before your birth.
When do we call you?
We're on call from 38 weeks (although we would still try and be there if the baby wants to make an early appearance). We ask our mums to keep in touch with us via text if they feel like they're getting close. Its great to know if the hospital has been called and what your midwife is recommending.
Depending on which package you book, we then come to the hospital or your home and capture all the moments as they happen. We can’t ever 100% guarantee to capture everything – birth is so highly unpredictable and sometimes things outside of our control can stop us from getting to you on time. However, we currently have a team of photographers, so no matter when you go into labour one of us should be able to get there!
What happens if my labour goes too long?
We will stay there as long as it takes! There are no timelines when it comes to birth and we are fully prepared for that.
What if you miss the birth due to a quick delivery?
Yes birth is highly unpredictable! And there are many factors that can contribute to us missing the actual birth. But don’t worry! We will document everything we possibly from the moment we arrive to make sure you have some memories to treasure forever.
Do I need to talk to my doctor/midwife to see if they will allow a photographer?
YES! It is your responsibility to make sure your midwife/doctor AND the hospital will allow photography during your labour and delivery. You may be limited to the number of “support” people allowed with you. Please verify the official policies with your hospital. Many doctors and midwives love what we do and it’s so far never been a problem for us to document your beautiful birth story. There are some doctors and midwives who would rather not be in any images and it is our duty to make sure images are cropped or blur in respect of their request.
Please note that if any unforeseen event occurs that requires treatment or urgent medical attention for you or your baby, or causes the planned delivery method to change (i.e., emergency C-section), we may be required to leave the delivery room for a period of time. But don’t worry! If this happens we will return to documenting your birth story as the medical staff directs us. Your safety and your child’s safety is the most important thing!
What if I am booked in for a cesarean?
However your first hello happens, we can capture your unique story – which includes scheduled cesareans! Each hospital has a different policy in their operating theatres, but with prior consent, they are generally happy to accommodate a photographer along with your husband. Take a look at this blog post to see some beautiful c-section images.
How much room do you need and what equipment do you bring?
We like to think of ourselves as flies on the wall. We make sure we stay out of the way of the medical team and allow you room to do what you need to do. We want to capture your birth journey as purely as we can. So it's just one of us and our camera (with no flash). That’s it!
There are times when lighting can be difficult due to dimly lit rooms but we usually find a way to bring a little light so we can ensure you have quality photos.
Do you offer newborn shoots?
Yes! Simply request our packages here.