Birth Story

Your birth story, captured and preserved forever!

The Birth Story Session is as simple and elegant as its name! We aren't posing and making the scene look beautiful, because bringing a baby earth side, has a unique beauty that doesn't need to be enhanced!

​

When you inquire about a Birth Story session, my first question will always be "what is your due date?!", I only accept ONE birth per month to ensure that every momma has my full and undivided attention (and time!). Babies tend to march to their own drum, and for that reason I plan my schedule around your due date. I am officially "ON CALL" 2 weeks prior to your due date, all the way until 2 weeks past your due date. Of course if baby comes outside of this time period, i will still make every effort and stride to be to the hospital in time (I have never missed a birth, and I don't plan to!). If for any reason there is going to be an unexpected conflict, I have a trusted backup photographer lined up to be there on my behalf.

​

I ask all of my mommas to keep me as updated as possible throughout the pregnancy (especially within the last 4-6 weeks) to try to prepare as best as possible for baby's arrival! I make sure that each of the parents, grandparents, or anyone who is responsible for making phone calls if you are not able to, have my personal cellphone number for texting and calling me when the time is near! I ask that I am notified as soon as you are feeling like it may possibly be the start of labor, just to have my bags packed and ready in the event you move quickly, and to continue updating me as you progress. As soon as you head to the hospital and are checked/admitted, I start to prepare my things to head into the hospital as well. 

​

I normally like to arrive around 4CM dilated to capture the raw beauty of labor. Although it may not seem like a gorgeous and euphoric scene at that moment, I can promise you when you see how magnificent and strong you were during those waves of contractions, you will appreciate the beauty in the documentation of those moments. As we continue throughout your birth story, i capture moments and details that would have otherwise been forgotten and dismissed. (Family helping, moments between you and your partner, little notes left by your nurses, the time, your room, the hospital, etc.) These photos tend to be a great story telling aspect for your little one to view when they are older, and for you to relive time and time again through these portraits!

​

If you decide to get an epidural, the anesthesiologist normally requires that all parties other than the momma in labor leave the room. During that time i will sit with family and friends in the waiting room as well to remain close by but also allow medical staff to do their job and help keep you comfortable.

When the time comes to deliver that sweet bundle of joy, my favorite spot and angle to photograph from is a "tall" spot above your head. This gives me the opportunity to capture all of the emotions and the first moments from when your little one enters this world. After the baby is delivered safely, I then will begin to move around a bit more again capturing the cord cutting, and of course more diverse angles and shots focusing on your babe meeting his/her family for the first time!

​

All of the commotion and excitement will start to slow down as you now embrace your sweet baby and notice each of their tiny details. This is one of my absolute favorite parts of a Birth Story Session! I continue to capture these moments until about an hour after birth (or until baby gets their first "Checkup" and is weighed, foot printed, and wrapped up for the first time)

​

If you are having a home birth, most of the information here is still accurate with replacing hospital/home, I do happily accept home births, water births, and any other unique scenario as well!

​

After I wish you well and congratulate you on your newest addition, I head out and begin to prepare/edit all of your gorgeous photographs for you so that you can see them as soon as possible!

​

Because the Birth Story Session has SO many photographs and SO many tiny and intimate parts to it. I do not require a gallery reveal or purchase of separate images. All of the final edited images are included as high resolution digital images and can be downloaded along with a print release to print at your own convenience. If you are interested in any products such as wall art, prints, or albums (my personal favorite!) I can absolutely offer help in designing and ordering those for you as well! 

​

If you have any other questions or would like to inquire about booking a Birth Story Session for the arrival of your newest babe, please contact me as soon as possible to reserve your due date!

​

Fresh 48

Similar to a birth story session with the style being "documentary". For our First 48 sessions, most clients choose to book for their due date, with again the chance of baby coming on their own time. Once baby has arrived i ask for you to contact me and schedule a time for me to come by. Of course the name gives away the scheduling process for "how long after birth". I normally have mommas schedule for after they have had time to actually clean themselves up a bit and are feeling up for photos. Normally that tends to be the morning after if they had their baby in the morning or wee hours of the night, or the next afternoon if they had their baby in the afternoon or evening. 

​

This gives you time to prep yourself as much as you see fit. I have seen full glam faces during a fresh 48, all the way to completely still in a hospital gown and not planning on taking it off anytime soon! There is absolutely no dress code for this session! It is a raw and beautiful set of documentary photos, and there is nothing wrong with showing the raw side of the big adult diaper and messy hair, OR wanting to show the raw side of your entrance to motherhood and still feel like a glam queen! 

​

During this session i capture parents with babe, babe alone, and babe with/meeting siblings! It tends to run up to 45 minutes to an hour long which allows us to capture those intimate moments between your family, baby bonding with you, nursing, feeding, changing, etc. 

​

For First 48 portraits, there is a $200 session fee, and then photos sold separately! No digital images or prints come with the session fee, this fee is a nonrefundable or transferable fee that covers the planning of the session, the session, and the reveal/ordering session catered to you!

After your session, I edit all of the final images and schedule a time for you to come back into the studio for a private gallery reveal session. This is where you will view all of your edited images and decide what it is you want to do with them! We have many different options that cater to many different wants, needs, and budgets!

​

All of our prices are listed right on the main investment page as well as here. There is Wall Art, which consists of the choice between Canvas Gallery Wraps, Framed Prints, and Metal Printed Art. We also have your standard Gift Prints. Digital collections are available for those who prefer to print their photographs on their own. One of my favorite options is our Albums and Books, there is two types of books that I offer depending on the style and budget you are looking to keep. There are also other add on items that are available as well depending on season and stock.

If you have any questions at all, are interested in knowing more, or are interested in booking your First 48 Session. Please reach out to me at your earliest convenience and I will help you as best as possible to ensure that you have a great experience!