FAQ Atlanta Birth Photography
BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER ATLANTA QUESTIONS:
ABOUT BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY:
Why should I hire a birth photographer? The same reason that you would hire a wedding photographer. You have spent 9 months of planning, dreaming, hoping and preparing for your {birth}day. The hours involved in labor are the same as a wedding. The love, emotions, the “firsts,” the milestones, the stress, the memories & the tears. This is only time that you’ll ever experience this baby’s birth. It’s a once in a lifetime thing. Just like a wedding. The only difference is that you might not always be a spouse, but you will always be a parent. You will treasure these photographs forever!
What is birth photography? I’ve seen many, many women give birth. They keep their eyes closed. Either because they are focusing, or they’re just tired. You can’t see the way your partner looks at you in complete admiration and adoration. You can see how strong you are. And when you’re looking down at your baby, you can’t see the way your partner’s eyes are tearing up. When you give birth, you focus on your labor, delivery and then the baby. Hiring a birth photographer means that your partner can stay by your side, holding your baby, instead of taking pictures. You focus on your baby, you can trust me to document the love, emotion, tears, and tenderness of the day.
Do you take pictures of the whole labor and birth? When you are about 6cm (or sooner if you have fast labors) I will come to the hospital and begin documenting the best day of your life. I do not photograph anything graphic unless you specifically ask me to. You can see that by looking at my gallery. My goal is to take tasteful, modest, but beautiful and real, images for you to be able to share with friends and family.
Will you post the photos on the internet? Yes. And no. In our first meeting we discuss your level of comfort regarding “A little, A bit, or A lot” of skin showing. I will not post your private parts on the internet. We will discuss in our meeting how you feel about sharing your photos.
Will we meet before the birth? If you want, absolutely! I like to meet with my clients and their partner to make sure we’re a great fit and to answer any questions you may have. I also sit down and go over the contract with you and we discuss a level of modesty you’re comfortable with.
When do you show up? 6 cm, which is the onset of active labor. Generally when your contractions are 4 min apart. For second+ time moms, we discuss the best options.
How long will you stay? What if I have a long labor? I’ll stay until 1-2 hours after delivery. To avoid being at the hospital for 30+ hours, I wait to come to your place of birth until I know that you are in active labor.
What if I have a short labor, will I get any of my money back? No. Whether I am at your labor for 4 or 12 hours, I will be editing and delivering the same amount of images included with your package.
What if I have a c-section? If allowed, I will join you in the OR. If not, I will re-join you as soon as the nurses allow. While you are in recovery, I will do my best to photograph your baby through the nursery glass.
How long have you been doing this? How many births have you photographed? I photographed my first birth in 2000 but I didn’t start a full time business doing it until about 2008. I took things slow at first as I was still having my own babies and didn’t want to commit to too much. My business really took off in 2012 as I knew I was done having babies and started to market myself. I’m over 300 births at this point.
ABOUT BOOKING ME:
When should I book you? I only take 1-3 clients per month, so it’s best not to wait too long, or I could be booked already. I’m currently booking as soon as parents find out they’re expecting.
Do you offer discounts or take payments? Yes! I accept payments as well as I offer to host a photography registry for my clients. I have cards that you can email or you can slip into your baby shower invites. Your friends and family will then buy your gift certificates towards your birth session. I do not offer discounts on birth photography packages but offer a discount on maternity/newborn session for my birth clients.
PERSONAL CONCERNS:
I don’t know if I want to be photographed. What if I look ugly/tired/crazy? I will help you out while in labor by often fixing your hair by pinning your bangs back out of your face or help you put your hair up in between contractions. I will help a mom out if photoshop if need be and we can talk about that in the interview. I’m also really good at getting flattering angles that make the mother look her best. I have a few other tricks I will tell you about in our interview. But, you can see my gallery, all the moms look great!
I don’t want any pictures of me on the internet looking ugly, or too graphic. I don’t post any images that you aren’t comfortable with. See my gallery and you can see that all the images are modest and the mother looks great.
ABOUT WHAT YOU GET:
How many photographs will I get? Depends on what package you pick. Packages start at 30 birth images.
How long will it take to get my photographs? I’m pretty quick. Once your birth images are chosen, it’s within 2-3 wks.
Will they be color or black and white? Both, although more B&W than color. Once baby is born, I add more colored images.
Do I get a thumbdrive of all my images? You will get a digital download of a high resolution images depending on the package you choose. Professional Prints can be ordered through me or I recommend Mpix.com See your package for details.
ABOUT HOW I DO THINGS:
Do you use a flash? What if I want my birth dark? I have used a flash pointed at the ceiling on occasion. I prefer natural light (even if just a candle) but it’s very difficult to see what’s going on in a really dark room. If flash is removed, the imagery will have a high grain count if the room is too dark. The choice is yours.
What if something on your equipment breaks? Do you have back up camera equipment? I have a back up camera, battery, and lenses. This is one of the perks of hiring a professional. Most people who come to photograph a birth, do not have/bring back up equipment for “just in case” something breaks.
Will your back up equipment provide the same quality of work that I hired you for? Yes! Another great question to ask any birth photographer you’re considering. My back up camera is pro quality as is the rest of my back up equipment.
What happens if you’re sick or at another birth? Most of the local birth photographers are FRIENDS! We have a group on Facebook and are all part of the Georgia Birth Network. Should I become ill or be at another birth, I will call a “back up” photographer (of your choosing) to attend your birth. I will pay their fee with the money you would’ve paid to me. Some clients get attached to me and decide to decline a “back up” and in that case, you would get the birth photography portion of the fee paid.
Have you ever missed a birth from being sick? NOPE! I take lots of Vit C, and overall stay away from sick people to make sure I don’t miss a birth.
Have you ever had back to back births? Yes, multiple times. It worked out perfectly. I left postpartum Mom A and went straight to birthing Mom B.
Have more questions? Text me now at 678-920-8438 or click the contact form above.