Photographing Your Birth

I offer birth photography as part of my doula support. Most clients are thrilled with this option but some question how they'll feel seeing such raw and, perhaps, graphic photos of one of the most intimate and transformative times in their life. My photography contract is fairly simple but it outlines what I can and can't do and gives you the option to opt out, to choose how graphic or modest you hope your photos to be and explains how and where I wish to share the most amazing of them; with your permission.

These are some examples of why birth photography is awesome:

• You and your partner won't have to worry about taking memorable pictures; you can concentrate on your labour, birth and loving your baby, after

• It creates an accurate timeline for you to reflefct on. Birth alters your perception of time and reality. I've had many clients look back at the photos and videos I've sent them and have a greater understanding of what happened, when and why

• They help refresh your memory of the moments in the first 3 hours after the birth of your baby. Birth is hard work and in the first several hours after it, you may need time to "come back into your brain and body". I've had countless clients say, "I loved seeing our reaction in the seconds after our baby was born. I had completely forgotten the feeling but the photos you took showed it all; the raw and the real." Whether you fell in love with your baby the moment they were born or needed a moment to come back to your body, photos will reveal it to you.

• These are memories you'll have forever, whether you choose to download your favourites and display them or keep them private. You can reflect on them as much or as little as you want.

• I'll take photos with your phone so you have immediate memories to share with friends and/or family of you, your partner and your new baby.