Birth Photography
Birth Photography FAQ’s
Q 1. What does a Napa and Sonoma birth photographer do and what is included?
Birth photography is a photographic documentation of your labor, delivery, and first moments after birth. It is a real, timeless and beautiful way to capture the story of your child’s arrival that you would otherwise not have (but wish you did).
I am available to my birth clients from 38 weeks on. We will meet in person or schedule a video call to get to know each other and discuss your birth plan. As your due date approaches, you will keep me updated on any changes or progressions.
When labor begins, you (or a designated person) will call me and we will discuss the signs of active labor. I will typically arrive at the birth space as soon as the midwife/doctor has checked you and determined that you are 7 centimeters dilated for first-time deliveries and 5-6 centimeters dilated for experienced moms. As with everything situation, every person is different, so I will stay in close communication with you throughout your birth experience.
Once I arrive, I will document your birth as much or as little as you request. I will pay attention to both the small details and the big picture of the day. I will stay and photograph until around 1.5-2 hours after your baby is born.
You will receive a few “sneak peek” images within 48 hours after your birth. These images can be used as welcome baby announcements for your family, friends, and social media accounts. The full private online gallery of your edited birth story images will be received no later than 2 weeks after your birth. The images will not be watermarked and you will have full personal printing rights.
Q 2. Do I have any training in birth photography?
Yes! Through the amazing teachings and classes provided by owner and founder of Birth Becomes You, Tavia taught me everything she could about her years of experience as a birth photographer. I studied how to hold space in the birth room as a photographer, the progression of labor, hospital and cesarean situations, camera and flash settings, working parallel to the nurses, midwife and doula, and so much more.
Training is only a part of what is needed to be the best birth photographer for my clients. Experience through ‘reading the room’ and being respectful of you, the birth mother, your partner. the midwife, doula, nurses, doctors and anyone else present is essential to ensuring you and your experience is uninterrupted. Often times, after the birth of their baby, mothers will say they didn’t even know I was there – this is exactly what I want to hear!
Q 3. Will a flash be used?
First and foremost, I want to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible during your labor and delivery. I also want to ensure that I provide you with the very best photographs of the event. With this said, it is a known fact within the birth photography industry that low light conditions within hospital rooms, especially labor and delivery rooms, are very common. Even with non-hospital rooms, such as in your home or birthing centers, lighting is normally set to a low level, allowing for a more calming and distraction-resistant atmosphere.
You may think that a flash will be distracting, however, when asked, mom’s either do not notice the flash at all or if they do they don’t think twice about it as they know it is only being used to ensure the very best photographs are going to be taken. Again, I will accommodate whatever you prefer but know that low light rooms will produce images best created in black and white.
Q 4. What areas do you serve?
I live in Browns Valley, Napa, and serve areas within a 2 hour drive of my home, with most of my clients being within the Napa and Sonoma areas. Please reach out via the form below to ensure your location is within my coverage areas.
“When Suzanne says you won’t even know she is in the room, she really, really means it! This was my first birth and I was a little anxious about having someone I had just met in a place that is obviously very personal and private. Suzanne put me at complete ease with knowing exactly what I did and didn’t want included in the photography of my baby’s birth and the results were so much more than I could have ever hoped for! I would recommend Suzanne in a heartbeat (no pun intended!) and will be hiring her again for my newborn photos too.“
– Meagan Wright
Q 5. What is your hiring process?
After an initial call or in-person meeting and you have decided to move forward with me being your birth photographer, I will create a contract with all the information you need and will put a soft hold on your due date for 48 hours to give you time to review and sign.
At the time of signing, 50% of your birth photography session will be due to secure in my calendar. The remaining balance will be due at 38 weeks, when I go on call for your big day. As with most births, your baby’s birth day could be anytime (day or night) in the coming days – even before 38 weeks – so the remaining balance will be due whichever comes first.
If you would like to have a payment plan put in place for the remaining 50% balance, please let me know so that we can accommodate your needs.
Q 6. What is your rate for Napa and Sonoma birth photography?
The very nature of birth is unpredictable and unless you have a scheduled Caesarian date, I will be on call for you from 38 weeks on. This time is dedicated just to you so that you can rest easy knowing I will be there for when the day arrives.
The cost for my services is $1,800 which includes an in-person or video chat consultation, 24/7 on call availability from 38 weeks, photography documentation from active labor (around 7 cm dilated) to approximately 2 hours after delivery, a private, password protected online gallery of edited, high resolution photos (usually around 100) for purchase in addition to social media image quality downloads.
I also offer maternity, newborn and milestone photography sessions at $425 each or $375 when added to a birth photography contract.
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