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Birth photography shows a story of your labour from the moment it starts to the moment when you first get to see, hold and settle with your baby.
WHAT IS IT?
It is a documentary of the most incredible moments of your life. As raw as birth can be, I focus on capturing the emotions and beauty of labour to show how strong you looked.
WHY SHOULD I HIRE A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER?
WHY SHOULD I HIRE A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER?
You may be thinking why on earth you should ask a complete stranger to photograph you when you are at your most volnurable.
There are only a few events in your lifetime which you are going to experience that you will remember forever and child birth is one of them. Becoming a mother for the first time or the second time or so on is always very special. You will always be overwhelmed with the whole experience and there is nothing more special than seeing your baby for the first time.
Remember that during the labour you are not at your worst, you are at your best. You may not feel great, you may not be looking your best, but you are the strongest you will ever be and you will be so proud of what you have accomplished. Pictures of women in labour are empowering.
Child birth is beautiful, hard, unpredictable, rewarding and exhausting. Things go so fast and you might not be totally 'in the moment'. It is amazing to have this accomplishment and the wonder of child birth captured forever.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
We start from meeting during your pregnancy to have a chat about your birth plan and to see if we are a good “fit” for each other. I want you to feel comfortable around me as I will be in the labour room for the majority of the labour. Then we stay in touch for the rest of your pregnancy, I would like you to keep me updated with any changes. I am on call 24/7 from your 38th week (if your labour starts any earlier I will still try to get to you on time) but it is really important you keep me in the loop and let me know even if you may think it's a false alarm.
Once your labour starts I need you to let me know as soon as possible as I like to arrive at the place of birth when you are in active labour, so when you are about 4cm dialated. I then stay until the baby is born and an hour or so after so I can take some pictures of you bonding with the baby.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU MISS THE BIRTH?
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU MISS THE BIRTH?
Child birth is one the most unpredictable events to document. There is nothing, absolutely nothing planned about it, so it’s impossible to guarantee that I will make it. If I arrive at your place of birth moments after the baby is born I will still take pictures of your baby's first moments, first time nursing, being weighed, skin on skin time etc. I will then leave you in peace and come back within 48 hours to do a 'Fresh 48' session. Any payments towards my birth photography package that have been made upfront cannot be refunded. If you keep me updated from very early signs of the labour (losing your mucus plug, broken waters, persistent lower back pain, abdominal pain, pre-menstrual cramps, contractions / tightenings, loose bowels, etc.) there is still a chance I won’t make it. I only take up to two birth bookings per month, but since I never know when the baby is going to be born there is a chance of my clients being in labour at the same time or me being sick on the day. If that happens I will still come to do your 'Fresh 48' session which will be reduced in cost.
It is really important and your responsibility to keep me updated with any signs of going into labour, even if it's in the middle of the night and you may think it’s nothing. If you don’t call me during the early signs of the labour or don’t call me at all your session fee is non-refundable. However, I can still come and photograph a 'Fresh 48' session or exchange your fee paid towards a newborn session. Please remember that being on call 24/7 is a huge responsibility and commitment for me.
WILL I HAVE TO LET THE MIDWIFE KNOW I AM HAVING A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER?
WILL I HAVE TO LET THE MIDWIFE KNOW I AM HAVING A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER?
Yes! Please explain to your midwife you have booked a birth photographer. Birth photography is quite common in the USA, but it is still a fairly new thing here in the UK. Please explain to your midwife that I will work in a very professional manner. I will work sensitively and stay out of their way when I need to.
There are usually no issues when you are having a home birth as you can have as many people with you as you like. However, if you are giving birth at a consultant led ward in hospital you can most likely only have two people with you. This would mean you'd have to include me as your second 'support person'. If you are planning on having two people with you, it might be worth still speaking to your midwife and/or the head of midwifery at your local hospital, as they might still make an exception for a birth photographer but you will really need to stress how much it means to you to have your birth photographed.
No matter where you plan to give birth, always mention you are having a professional birth photographer in your birth plan. This is very important. Explain how it is you wish for your birth photographer to be with you wherever you end up during your labour. Explain I work in a very professional manner, will get out of the way when told and will try and make sure medical staff are photographed in a way that makes them as unrecognisable as possible.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I END UP HAVING A C-SECTION?
WHAT HAPPENS IF I END UP HAVING A C-SECTION?
C-Section births are some of the most dramatic and rewarding birth stories to capture. Some woman have weeks to mentally prepare themselves for this moment, yet others only have minutes to get their heads around what is happening.
Everything you envisioned your birth to be, goes straight out of the window. Having your C-Section photographed can be a great way of reliving a quite intense and sometimes super rushed moment in your life.
In the UK, typically only one person is permitted into the operating theatre with the birth mother. If you are having a planned C-Section you will need to speak to your midwife, the anaesthetist (he or she often calls the shots) and the head of midwifery at your hospital and explain how important it is for you to have the C-Section birth of your baby photographed.
The team may make an exception and let a photographer in the operating room with you. If your C-Section is not planned I will try and speak to the medical staff but I cannot give you any guarantees. However, don't worry I will be there waiting for you to come out with baby in your arms.
HOW MANY IMAGES WILL I RECIEVE?
HOW MANY IMAGES WILL I RECIEVE?
Depending on the length of your labour I will deliver between 50 to 120 images. They will be a mixture of colour and black and white images. The majority will be black and white as they draw the viewers attention to the emotions. I will send you a select few pictures within a day of the labour, this is sometimes as soon as I get home. If your labour is long I may have time to edit some whilst waiting for the baby to arrive. You can then choose to share it with your friends and family if you wish. The rest of the pictures will be delivered to you in an online password-protected gallery or USB stick if you prefer.
WILL MY IMAGES BE POSTED ONLINE?
WILL MY IMAGES BE POSTED ONLINE?
Nothing will be posted without your permission. I would love to share your birth story on my website, because every birth story is beautiful, but I will not do so without your written consent. If you decide to keep all the images private that’s completely fine with me.
IF MY BIRTH IS FAST, WILL I GET ANY MONEY BACK?
IF MY BIRTH IS FAST, WILL I GET ANY MONEY BACK?
No, a fast birth requires the same amount of commitment, expertise, equipment, hours after the birth and editing time as a slow birth.
COULD YOU PHOTOGRAPH MY BABY AFTER BIRTH?
COULD YOU PHOTOGRAPH MY BABY AFTER BIRTH?
Yes we can arrange a 'Fresh 48' session instead of a birth session. That will take place either in the hospital or at your home.
By having me during this once in the life time moment, I ensure you will remember the things you may have missed, like a partner’s supportive touch, the overwhelming love in their eyes, or a siblings reaction when they meet their new brother or sister. You will be able to look back at those pictures and I promise they will bring happy tears to your eyes.
I am now a member of UK Professional Birth Photographers - A community of professional birth photographers who desire to document birth stories and allow families lifetime access to one of their most treasured moments in life.
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