WHAT AREAS DO YOU SERVICE?
I am based in Pensacola but also serve the Gulf Coast of Florida + Alabama from Destin to Mobile. When I travel, I often book sessions at my destination as well. Check the top menu bar for any upcoming travel dates.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK MY SESSION?
Birth: Due to the demands of being on-call, birth sessions are limited. It is not uncommon for me to be fully booked 5-6 months in advance.
All Others: I recommend booking 2-3 months in advance, especially in for Fall sessions as this time of year is in high demand.
HOW MANY IMAGES WILL I RECEIVE FROM MY SESSION?
Every session tells a different story and I am not able to guarantee a certain number of images. I can promise you that I will give you everything that I believe to be important to your story or that I would want if it were my family. The images left out are duplicates, blinks or unflattering moments, or do not meet my standards of technical quality.
MAY I SEE/PURCHASE MY RAW FILES OR UNEDITED IMAGES
While I may show you the back of my camera during your session, you will not otherwise have the opportunity to view or purchase your unretouched images. I believe in delivering a collection of storytelling art that will absolutely wow you. Editing and perfecting each image in your final collection is a vital part of that process.
WILL MY IMAGES BE IN COLOR OR BLACK & WHITE?
My personal inclination is toward color images, punctuated with artistic black & white. However, if black & white is your preference, please let me know.
ARE YOU GOING TO POST MY IMAGES ONLINE?
Only with your permission. If you choose to sign a model release, I will be incredibly grateful. However, I always ask permission prior to sharing anything that could potentially compromise your modesty. I also promise that I will not 'steal your thunder' by posting images from your birth before you have made your own announcements.
HOW CAN YOU GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A BIRTH?
Honestly, I can't. Neither can any other photographer...or even your doctor! But I do have amazing back-up photographers. I am highly selective when it comes to my back-ups and you can rest assured that I would trust any one of them to attend my own birth. Your images will still be edited by me and presented in my style. There is nothing I would rather do than photograph a birth. Know that I will do everything I can to be there.
WHEN DO YOU ARRIVE AT THE HOSPITAL FOR A BIRTH?
My goal is to arrive at your birth place when active labor is well established, usually around 5-6 cm dilated or when contractions are 4-5 minutes apart and strong enough that you can’t talk thru them. Frequent and timely communication on the progress of your labor is vital (I suggest designating someone to update me every 2 hours, even if there has been no change, as this helps me to gauge the progress of your labor). Let me know as soon as you are sure you’re in labor, and I will begin making preparations to be there or prepare you if my back-up photographer will be joining you.
HOW LONG DO YOU STAY WITH BIRTH CLIENTS?
On average I am typically at a birth for 6 hours, which includes staying about an hour after delivery to capture baby and family moments. However, labor is unpredictable and there have been birth that require me to stay much longer.
(Coverage time limits listed for each package are solely to avoid being called into a birth way too early and going long periods of time without much variation to capture. If you are interested in having birth coverage from the moment you are certain you are in labor, please contact me for custom pricing options.)
CAN YOU PHOTOGRAPH A C-SECTION?
This is at the discretion of the anesthesiologist assigned to your surgery and cannot typically be assured in advance. Though I have had good luck being allowed in. If I am not allowed into the OR with you, I will send my back-up camera in with your support person or a nurse, and wait to meet you in the recovery area. If asked in advance, hospital staff will usually delay or repeat vitals and footprints when I can be present to capture them.
WHAT IS YOUR DEMEANOR LIKE DURING BIRTH?
I am naturally pretty introverted, so it is no struggle for me to remain quiet and inconspicuous during labor & delivery. In general, I follow the parent’s lead on when to engage in conversation and when to remain quiet. As a certified doula, I am there to support you and your partner, talk thru any decisions that need to be made, and be a second set of hands if needed.
WHAT DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH DURING BIRTH?
The scope of coverage is entirely up to you and your comfort level. I will attempt to cover everything, unless specifically asked not to.
DO YOU USE A FLASH DURING BIRTH?
More and more I have been. However, I use it off the camera on a stand and pointed at a window or a corner of the ceiling… never pointed at you directly. Both clients and providers tell me they don’t notice it. While I have professional equipment and I am skilled in shooting in low light situations, cameras all have limitations and image quality is directly related to the quality and availability of light. I encourage my clients to consider this unavoidable reality, how it affects their birth plan, and what their priorities are.
WHAT IF I DELIVER PREMATURELY OR MY BABY NEEDS NICU CARE?
I am flexible and I encourage you to consider and discuss with me in advance what you would like me to do in this case. My son had to spend time in the NICU and it was very (emotionally) stressful for me. Looking back, I wish I had asked my birth photographer to go to the NICU with my husband and son to capture everything I missed.
WILL YOU POSE OR HANDLE MY BABY A LOT?
It depends on your comfort level. As a lifestyle photographer, I do not bring props or spend a lot of time posing babies. The majority of our session, you and your family members will hold and interact with the baby, just as you normally would. I will also photograph baby alone (in the crib, on the master bed, on the changing table, etc.). I always bring a few wraps and will help you wrap and/or soothe baby. Images of baby alone will be very organic and baby-led.
HOW CAN I INVOLVE MY OLDER CHILDREN IN OUR NEWBORN SESSION?
If you have older children, think about ways that they can interact with their new sibling (bottle feeding, bathing, reading books, etc.) and prepare for these activities. Often toddlers are not interested in the new baby, or even resistant to cooperating for photos. I really encourage you to just let them do their own thing. Focus on your spouse and other children and give me an opportunity to make a connection with your toddler. Once I am his or her best friend and he/she sees how much fun we are having, he/she will join us in their own time. And small candies (gummies, smarties, jelly beans) are always a good idea.
WHAT IF MY CHILDREN WILL NOT COOPERATE?
The beauty of lifestyle sessions is this...they don't have to! Our goal is to capture them authentically and in a very candid and natural way. I encourage children to play and be silly and mom & dad to follow their lead. And I'll let you in on a little secret...I actually love it when they misbehave. Real is so much more interesting than perfect!
DO YOU OFFER MINI SESSIONS?
Mini session are available on weekdays at limited times and locations. On weekends, only offer mini sessions in two capacities: 1) as events in which multiple clients are scheduled for back-to-back sittings at a single location, or 2) at sunrise as this is an otherwise unpopular session time.
I am happy to look into scheduling mini session events by request if you have at least 2 families ready to book together.