Thank you for the opportunity to capture your birth day. I have no doubt it will be a beautiful, love-filled day with many amazing moments. Big and small. This guide is mostly a collection of suggestions.


Birth is a mysterious force and it often has a mind of it’s own. Don’t worry: as your birth photographer, I’m able to adjust and adapt to whatever course your birth will take. My hope is that this guide will prepare you for what it’s like to have a birth photographer in your birth space and give you the tools to best plan for what will certainly be a memorable day.


When should I contact you? Please send me a message when you feel like labor is beginning. This allows me to think about the next few days with your birth in mind. I won’t get in my car, but I will make sure that my bag is packed and ready by the door. Once contractions have intensified and you’ve decided it’s time to call your midwife or head to the hospital, please send me a message or give me a call. My goal is to arrive when you are in active labor. This ensures that my presence won’t distract you or prevent your labor from advancing. If you aren’t sure if you’re in active labor, your care provider will be the best gauge. My phone number is 970-388-4091. Be sure to save this in your phone. Usually during the day you can text but if anything happens after 7pm Call instead.

Below are a few rough guides that can hint at active labor (but remember, active labor looks different for each woman!)

• Contractions are 3-4 minutes apart, for one hour

• Contractions are too intense to walk or talk through

• Contractions are accompanied with rectal pressure

• Dilated to 6 centimeters


Remember, I need one-hour notice. Please don’t hesitate to contact me once you feel like active labor has begun.


What About Lighting? Many women like to give birth in a dark environment. My camera is equipped to handle low light situations. That being said, I do need SOME light sometimes to capture those incredible moments. If I feel like there isn’t enough light in your birth space, I may make some small adjustments. If these bother you, please let me know. During birth, I will sometimes bounce my flash off the ceiling so I can capture the quick and fleeting moments of birth. My external flash is very different from the flashes that most people are accustomed to. The flash will never be directed near or towards your face and most of my clients aren’t even aware that I’m using it.


What Should I Wear? Wear whatever is comfortable for you! Many of my clients will wear a sports bra during labor and birth because they want to be able to share some of the images publicly. Solid-color sports bras are a great choice. If you feel the urge to take off your bra during birth, don’t worry. I’m often able to get creative with angles and still capture moments that you can share with family or friends. Many clients will bring meaningful items or jewelry. These will not only provide amazing stories for you to tell your children in the years to come, but they can make your photographs really pop. If you are giving birth in the water, consider bringing a towel with special significance. If you are giving birth in the hospital, consider bringing your own swaddling blankets or baby hats. Your partner should also wear comfortable clothing. Solid colors are often preferable as loud patterns or logos can distract the eye from the beautiful moments that are unfolding in your family. Some of my favorite choices are solid color t-shirts. Comfortable but also great to photograph. I encourage both you and your partner to pick out a separate set of clothes that can be worn after birth. Giving birth can be messy, and you may want to change out of what you’ve been wearing. Many of my clients will purchase a pretty robe that coordinates with something their partner or other children will wear. Those first family photos can be priceless. But at the end of it all, remember that what you wear matters far less than what you experience. Don’t stress too much about clothing!


When can I expect my images? All of my birth packages include several sneak-peek images that I process and edit within 24 hours of birth. These images are specifically sized for the web so that you can easily and beautifully announce the birth of your baby on social media. The rest of your images will be edited within 8-10 weeks . You’ll receive a link to your private and custom gallery where you’ll be able to view all your images and purchase prints. I also try to get Video also and provide short video of you birth story.


Where should I get them printed? All of my birth packages include a copyright release, which allows you to print photos for personal use. However, I work with a professional printer and I highly recommend that you consider purchasing prints through my site. My computer is specifically calibrated to his printer, which means that the images you receive will be of the utmost quality. You can buy cheap prints, but most of my clients find that the quality is incredibly poor. Remember that these images will be in your family for years to come.

Support team assists during water birth in dimly lit birthing room.
Medical team assists during delivery in hospital setting.
Healthcare provider holds newborn in hospital delivery room.
Medical professional examines newborn in dark hospital setting.
Medical staff in protective gear attending to a newborn baby in a hospital setting.
Healthcare providers attending to a patient in a dimly lit hospital room.
Medical professional in scrubs and cap holding a crying newborn in a hospital room.
Hospital room scene during childbirth with medical staff attending.
Close-up view of hands holding a newborn wrapped in a patterned blanket.
Newborn baby resting skin-to-skin in a hospital environment.
Medical team in surgical attire examining a newborn baby under bright lights.
Surgical team performing a cesarean section in an operating room.
Smiling newborn baby wearing a white cap lying on a patterned hospital blanket.
Medical professionals working in a hospital delivery room environment.
Woman embraces newborn baby in bathtub during water birth at home.