10 Questions to Ask Your Birth Photographer

BIRTH PHOTOS + FILM | NASHVILLE, TN | JESS HARRIS PHOTO + FILM CO.

The birth of your baby is undoubtedly one of the most important and life-changing experiences of your life. For 40 (ish) weeks you will dream and plan for this day, and it’s so incredibly important that the team that surrounds you is there just for you. You decide what your dreams look like- what your birth plan looks like- who you want to surround you and lift you up. It’s your story momma!

As you plan for your birth and start planning your birth team, here are some important things to keep in mind when choosing your birth photographer:

1) What does on-call time look like?

On-call life is part of the gig for a birth photographer. For me, that means 24/7 access... even if it’s 3 am. Baby time is baby time and I’m here for it. When you book me as your birth photographer and doula, I block off the weeks surrounding your birth from 38 weeks until delivery. During this time, I limit my travel to no more than an hour away, and my bags are always packed to rush out the door when you call. In fact, most of the time my bags go with me if I know that I might need them! This is your time, and although I do have a family of my own, I’m ready to leave them in capable hands whenever you need me.

Communication is key so that I can anticipate anything that may be coming up and stay a little closer if we think labor might be picking up. There’s no such thing as TMI when it comes to birth, and I’m always here to talk through things with you. You’ll get my cell #, so any questions you might have or updates, just keep me in the loop. Planning on a big hike when you’re already ‘overdue’? Not a bad idea to fill me in. Heading to the chiro, massage or acupuncture appointment? Definitely a text that you’re trying to naturally jump-start things a little.

2) What if you are at another birth?

While it is extremely rare, birth is unpredictable. I limit the number of births that I take each month, but even when due dates are weeks away, sometimes babies have their own plans or life happens. Photographers have emergencies too and sometimes we get sick. I have a list of photographers that I trust immensely that can step in for me if for some reason I can’t be there myself. Please know that I don’t take this lightly and after spending months chatting with you before your birth, you’re like family to me. My backups are people that I know can step in without missing a beat and I’ve chosen them carefully. I want you to be assured that no matter what life throws our way, your birth will be documented.

3) What if labor stalls or it’s a false alarm?

If there’s anything I’ve learned about birth over the years it’s that there is no time limit when it comes to birth. Some babies are in a great big hurry, and others prefer to stay cozy! I’ve attended births where the whole birth team is racing in the door minutes before baby arrives, and others where we all settle in and grab a nap together between contractions. Labor ebbs and flows and that’s totally normal, so part of my job is to read the room and know when you need someone to grab you a snack or hold your hand and when to step back and give you your space. I’ve often had clients tell me that they have no idea when/how I got the images I did because they didn’t even know that I was there in that moment.

Birth photography is an investment because it is so unpredictable. Imagine hiring a wedding photographer but not knowing the date, start time, or length of time they would need to be there. You need to know that your birth photographer will be there no matter what and that they are just as invested in your birth as you are!

4) What happens if my baby arrives before you get here?

One of my own little ones arrived on the side of the road in a great big hurry himself, so I understand completely that sometimes babies don’t give their mommas a lot of heads up. In most cases, I trust my intuition and head out sooner rather than later... even if that means I am there a bit longer than necessary. In the event that your little one is super speedy, and I do miss the actual delivery, I’ll be on my way just as quickly as I can to document that wonderful Golden Hour and all the first moments with your baby.

5) What if it’s really dark where I’m giving birth?

Babies come when babies come, and they LOVE to come when all the world is quiet. Whether it’s the middle of the afternoon, or 3 am, I’m here and happy to roll out of bed to help you welcome your sweet baby into this world no matter what time it is.

My gear is also phenomenal at working in low light conditions, and I have a flash if we need a little extra light too. (Don’t worry, it’s never pointed directly at you and is super soft to just add a little bit of light where we need it). We’ll always chat about this beforehand, and if it bothers you in the middle of labor I’m never offended! Light is super important to your images and your film, so make sure your photographer knows how to work with lots of lighting conditions.

6) Do you have backup gear?

Absolutely, positively, without a doubt!! Your birth is once in a lifetime and we can’t do it over. Rest assured, I have back-ups of everything. The last thing I want is to leave your big day to chance, so I have extras of everything in my bag. Camera batteries, extra batteries and chargers, cameras, lenses, memory cards... sooooo many memory cards. Basically I have double, if not triple, of everything I might need for your birth.

7) Can I see a full gallery?

Instagram is great, but the reality is it’s a highlight reel of every photographer’s absolute favorite images. If all you ever see is a few images from a session, how will you know what a full gallery looks like? Or be confident that what you’ll get documents your entire birth story. Look through their website, ask to see a gallery, watch their birth films to get an idea of how your story will be told. I’m always happy to share more than just the images on my website if you’d like to see them (with my client’s permission of course!)

8) Will you share my images?

I would love to share every single image and normalize birth every chance I get. BUT... your birth is your own. This is an incredibly special and sacred time in your life, and above all, I will respect your privacy. Following your birth, I will privately send you a handful of sneak peek images through a secure gallery that you can use as an announcement if you’d like. When your full gallery is complete, you’ll have time to look over all of the images and decide which images you are comfortable with me sharing. If there is ever doubt that an image may be more graphic in nature, I will double (and probably triple) check that it is okay before I share it. The same goes for your birth film. I typically make a shorter + more PG version for social media and that is what gets shared. Again, you’ll get final approval first! Your trust is the most important thing to me and I will always respect your wishes.

9) Are you allowed in the hospitals?

While things can change quickly, I have attended many births at hospitals all over the Nashville area. I am a certified doula and have also completed the OR Certification through St. Thomas Midtown. While there are certain situations that may change whether I can be with you, most hospitals are very supportive of both photography and doula support during labor + delivery. When previous shutdowns occurred, doula support was still allowed, which means the likelihood that I won’t be allowed to be with you is a lot smaller. The bonus is that your doula just happens to have a camera too.

In the event that hospital restrictions change due to COVID or anything else, I have several options in place. We will discuss and pivot to make sure that your birth story can still be told.

1. I can still be your support person. By phone or Facetime, or in person if your hospital allows a doula.
2. I have a backup camera that I can send with your support person.
3. Coming Home Sessions: I’m happy to meet you at the hospital and follow you home for those first meetings with siblings and grandparents.

10) How much experience do you have?

Without giving away my age, I learned photography in a dark room 😉. While I don’t think the exact number of births is the most important thing, it is important to trust that your birth photographer understands and respects the birth process. I have been through birth myself six times and have photographed many births in hospitals, birth centers and home birth settings. I’m certified as a doula as well and know how to professionally navigate various situations as they arrise.