FAQ

Birth is intense, emotional, and deeply personal—for everyone present. While loved ones may capture a few moments, they are often experiencing the birth alongside you. A professional birth photographer is there with a single purpose: to quietly and respectfully document your story as it unfolds, without pulling anyone out of the moment.

As a trained birth photographer, I understand the rhythm of labor, how to work in low-light hospital or home settings, and how to anticipate fleeting moments that might otherwise go unseen. I know when to step forward and when to fade into the background, allowing your family to stay fully present while I preserve the details, emotions, and connections you may not remember until you see them later.

These images often become more meaningful with time—offering you a way to revisit the strength, love, and transformation of your birth experience, long after the day has passed.

Yes—having an open conversation with your care provider is always encouraged. Most doctors, midwives, and nurses are very familiar with birth photography and are supportive, especially when they understand that my role is to work quietly, respectfully, and within the flow of your birth team.

I’m experienced in hospital, birth center, and home birth settings and always prioritize consent, privacy, and professionalism. I follow all hospital policies and take cues from your medical team, stepping back whenever needed. If any limitations arise during labor, I fully respect them—your safety and comfort always come first.

If it’s helpful, I’m happy to answer questions or provide guidance on how to bring this up with your provider so you can feel confident and supported moving forward.

Yes. Birth doesn’t follow a schedule, and neither do I. When you’re on call with me, I’m available day or night—early mornings, late nights, and everything in between. Once you let me know that labor has begun, I remain on standby and will join you at the appropriate time we’ve discussed together.

I’ve structured my availability specifically around this unpredictability, so you don’t have to worry about the clock. My priority is being present when your baby decides it’s time.

Every birth is its own story, and there’s no set schedule for when your baby will arrive. As your birth photographer, I aim to arrive during active labor and stay for the first precious hours after your baby is born. My goal is to capture the quiet glances, the raw emotions, and the intimate connections that make your birth truly yours—moments you and your family will treasure forever.

No matter how your baby enters the world, every moment is worth remembering. I’m here to capture the story of your child’s birth—even during a C-section. More hospitals and doctors are recognizing the value of birth photography, and photographers are increasingly welcomed in the OR.

Even if I can’t be inside the operating room, there are still countless meaningful moments to capture: your support person sharing the good news, the anticipation and love of your family and friends, and, when allowed, the baby’s first moments. Having me there during a C-section is especially important, as I can be your eyes for all the moments you may miss while in surgery and recovery, ensuring your story is fully documented and your memories preserved forever.

If your baby(ies) need care in the NICU, I’ll be there to help you preserve every moment of this early chapter, even when it’s unexpected. I’ll capture the first precious minutes in the delivery room before your baby(ies) are taken to the NICU, always respecting the medical team and your wishes.

Whenever possible, I can accompany your partner to the NICU and quietly document those tender, fleeting first moments. And even if I can’t be right beside your baby(ies), I’ll focus on the love, support, and small but meaningful moments happening around you—your family holding space, friends offering encouragement, and the quiet, powerful emotions that surround a new arrival.

I offer a variety of birth photography packages to fit different needs and preferences, and each one is designed to capture your story in a meaningful way. Everything included in each package—number of edited images, whether film or no film, doula support or no doula support, and any extras—is detailed on the package pages. Either here or here.

If you’re unsure which package feels right for you, I’m always happy to chat and help you choose the one that will best preserve your birth story.

During your birth, I capture many moments, and I thoughtfully select and deliver the images that best reflect your story—authentic, emotional, and beautiful. The gallery you receive will provide a complete and meaningful representation of your experience. My clients consistently share how much these images help them relive and celebrate their birth journey.

Within 24–48 hours after the birth, you’ll receive a sneak peek of up to 5 images or a 30–60 second film capturing the emotion and rhythm of those first moments. These are lightly edited and meant to give you something beautiful to hold onto and share while everything is still fresh and tender.

Your full gallery, along with any prints and your keepsake box, will be delivered within 5 weeks of the birth. This timeline allows me to carefully edit each image and thoughtfully prepare everything so it arrives finished and ready to be enjoyed.

I currently accept payment via Zelle or Venmo. You’re welcome to use whichever is easiest for you.

I’m happy to create a payment plan that works for you. A 50% “save-the-date” retainer reserves your due window, with the remaining balance due by 37 weeks of pregnancy.

If you’re having a baby shower—or even if you’re not—I can set up a private contribution page where friends and family can chip in toward the documentation of your baby’s birth. Think of it as gifting memories instead of another diaper genie—something you’ll treasure forever.

Once your USB flash drive is delivered, it’s important to make backup copies for safekeeping—ideally in multiple places. I do keep your images for up to one year after delivery, but I highly recommend creating your own backups as soon as you receive them. Technology changes over time, so keeping your memories safe may mean updating your storage methods every few years.

I get it—birth is intimate, and you’ll want to feel safe. I do tend to capture a lot, but only what you’re comfortable with. If there are angles or moments you’d rather skip—like the doctor’s point-of-view—I’ll absolutely honor that. And of course, nothing like that ever happens without your doctor’s approval.

Think of me as your quiet observer, capturing the moments you’ll treasure. You can always delete any photo you don’t love, and no one sees your images unless you choose to share them.

Absolutely! Your friends and family are welcome to take pictures, but I ask that they give priority to me, so I can capture the moments you’ve hired me to preserve. It’s helpful to let guests know ahead of time that I’ll be documenting your birth. I can’t be responsible for missed shots if family or friends unintentionally get in the way.

I completely understand! I’ve “been there, done that.” My feet were the size of dinner plates, and my legs were just slightly smaller than tree trunks. But that’s exactly why having a photographer who gets it matters.

I want you to love your photos, so I focus on angles that highlight the beauty of this day. Your images will celebrate your baby, those precious first moments, and the love and support of your family and friends. Pregnant women are beautiful by default, and I promise—you don’t look anywhere near as bad as you feel!

I do! I offer both maternity and fresh 48 sessions. You can purchase either one or both as add-ons to your birth package. Please see pricing for details.

In a nutshell, yes, there is always a chance. However, I do have a network of birth photographers I can call to come in my place should I fall ill or I am otherwise indisposed. There is always a chance that two babies could arrive at the same time at different birth spaces and I cannot get to you in time. Due of the on-call nature of birth photography, I only book a limited number of births each month to minimize conflicts, but it could happen. Again, I will always have a backup birth photographer seasoned in birth work. In the event I cannot make your delivery for whatever reason that is not your fault, and you have kept me updated on your labor as it progressed, and a backup cannot get there, you will be given a full refund of any fees you paid to date. I, and Birth and beauty, am only liable for the amount paid in fees for your session.

On the flip side, it is your responsibility to call me as soon as you think labor is starting, even if it ends up being false labor, and keep me posted of your progress. Since it may take up to two hours for me to situate things at home and travel to your birth space, I need a “heads up” as soon as possible. If you do not call to let me know you are in labor early on and I miss the actual birth, the session fee is non-refundable but I will still come as soon as I can and have an extended “post-delivery” session to capture many of your baby’s “firsts” and family bonding.

I am on call from week 38 until your child arrives. This means, I do not go out of town and nothing is planned in my personal life that cannot be rearranged. This is your time and I am ready to go any time, day or night.

No problem at all. If you decide to forgo birth pictures for whatever reason, I completely understand; however, you do forfeit the non-refundable hold the date retainer, but you will not be liable for any more payments. You can use that amount you have paid toward a different photography session, such as a fresh 48 or family session.

While I am primarily located in Burbank to service my Eastside families, I also have a space in Huntington Beach to serve those more Southern and Westside families.

Due to the ‘on call’ nature of birth photography, I take a limited number of births each month. If you choose Birth and Beauty to capture this day, please reserve your due date as early as you can. A non-refundable hold-the-date retainer is required to be added to my calendar.