Packing for a hospital birth can feel a little like packing for a trip you’ve never taken… to a place you don’t fully control… with a wildly unpredictable timeline. Fun, right?

As a birth photographer who’s been present for countless hospital births—and as a mom myself—I’ve seen what actually gets used, what gets forgotten, and what people wish they had packed at 3 a.m.

So let’s break it down. No fear-mongering. No overpacking panic. Just the good stuff.

The Essentials (a.k.a. Don’t Skip These)

These are the things you’ll almost definitely want during labor, delivery, or your hospital stay.

1. Photo ID, Insurance Card & Paperwork

Not exciting, but very necessary. Put these in an easy-to-reach pocket so you’re not digging through a tote bag mid-contraction.

2. Phone Charger (the Long One!)

Hospital outlets are never where you want them to be. A 10-foot charger is the real MVP of the hospital birth packing list.

3. Comfortable Clothing

Think:

• A loose robe
• A comfy bra or nursing bra
• Cozy socks (hospital floors are cold)
• Something soft to wear home

Pro tip: Pack clothes you don’t mind being photographed in—because those early moments are often captured.

Labor Comfort Items (Because Birth Is Work)

4. Lip Balm

Hospitals are dry. Labor breathing is real. Chapped lips are not the vibe.

5. Hair Ties or Headband

You’ll want your hair out of your face at some point. Trust me.

6. Essential Oils or a Familiar Scent

Smell is powerful. A favorite scent can ground you and make the room feel more like yours.

7. Your Birth Preferences (Printed)

Even if your care team is amazing, having a printed copy of your preferences can be helpful—especially during shift changes.

For Your Support Person (Yes, They Matter Too)

8. Snacks (Real Ones)

Hospital cafeterias close. Vending machines disappoint. Pack snacks that actually sustain energy—protein bars, trail mix, jerky, chocolate (obviously).

9. Change of Clothes

Birth doesn’t run on a schedule. Fresh clothes = happier support person.

Baby Basics (Hospitals Cover More Than You Think)

Hospitals usually provide diapers, wipes, and blankets, so don’t go overboard.

10. Going-Home Outfit

One adorable, comfy outfit is plenty. Bonus points if it photographs well.

11. Baby Nail File or Mittens

Some babies come out with talons. It happens.

Nice-to-Have (But Not Required)

12. Your Own Pillow

Hospital pillows are… fine. Your pillow is better.

13. A Playlist or Bluetooth Speaker

Music can help set the tone—calm, empowering, or “I need Beyoncé right now.”

14. A Keepsake Item

A letter to your baby, a special necklace, or something meaningful can be grounding and beautiful to photograph.

What You Can Leave at Home

Let’s keep it real:

• 7 outfit changes
• Full makeup kits (unless it brings you joy!)
• Every baby item you own

Less stuff = less to manage.

Final Thoughts From a Birth Photographer

You don’t need to pack for every possible scenario. You just need to pack for you.

Birth is raw, powerful, emotional, and unpredictable—and the most important things can’t be packed into a bag anyway. But a little preparation goes a long way in helping you feel calm, comfortable, and present.

And if you’re having your birth documented? These are the details that help your story unfold beautifully—exactly as it is.

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A couple things may happen at this point. Either the prices are going to be there or you have to “contact” for the price list. Either way, you get your answer and you ARE BLOWN AWAY. Why on earth would birth photography be so expensive and in some cases rival that of wedding photography? This is the question I am here to answer, but before that, let me explain the why we do this work.

I am going to tell you we all have a passion for birth. We love it and if we could give it away, we would, because we believe it is that important. Alas, it is hard work and we need to feed our families and we need to charge accordingly.

On Call time

Imagine for a moment, someone asks you to photograph their wedding. They give you an approximate date, but tell you in could happen at anytime a couple weeks around that date so you have to be ready. Heck, the wedding can be in the middle of the night, so be ready! Don’t be sleeping the night away or out at a party skunked. It doesn’t matter if we are throwing a birthday party for our kids or it’s Christmas morning, when we get the call that the wedding is now, we must go. We are owned for the 2-3 weeks prior to an estimated date.

Challenging Lighting

Buckle up Buttercup, it’s going to be a dark ride! Ok, so we have grabbed our gear and snacks. We have placed our kids at a babysitter (who by the way are expensive since they are on call too) and rushed to the home/ birth center/ hospital only to see the lights so dim that one can barely make out the zipper on the camera bag.

Going back to the wedding scenario, not only do we not know when the wedding will be, but we will be asked to shoot in the dark, by dimmed light, those twinkle lights and then that dreaded ultra bright spot light doctors use during the delivery.

We, the photographers, need to know how our camera works. We don’t shoot in “AUTO” mode, we need to get creative with shutter, aperture and ISO. Most use full manual mode to create the beautiful images you see. If a flash is used, knowing how to use it is imperative. Most flashes are also in manual mode to burst the right amount of light for a given situation. This flash is bounced and never pointed directly at anyone especially a laboring mother or newborn. Flash is bounced from the ceiling, a side wall or even a wall behind us. We go through great pains for the laboring mother and those attending not to be aware of the flash.

Where do you think that knowledge comes from? For some, how to use a camera comes from schooling. For others, it’s self taught. Equally important is the camera equipment. The camera absolutely needs to be able to handle low light situations and the flash should have manual mode as well. The batteries within the flash should be lithium so each burst of light has the same power and consistency.

The walls might be painted a relaxing earthy green, a calming blue or a combination of colors. What’s the big deal you ask? Well, whether flash is used or not, the dreaded color cast on the birth pictures is a real concern.

Labor Can Be Quick or Take a Long Time

Ok, so we have arrived at the mystery wedding (your birth!), but we have no idea how long we will be there. Labor can be quick or take several hours. Birth photographers stay no matter how long. We aim to arrive when you are in active labor (around 6 cm) and stay around 90 minutes postpartum or after the baby exam. The length of time in between is anyone guess. We may miss birthdays and holidays with our family. We could miss vacation time, recitals, plays, actual weddings, you name it.

As a birth photographer, we may have booked a couple of births within a month. It is not unheard of to finish one birth to begin another right afterwards. Sleep? What is that?

Editing Time

Are you tired of the wedding scenario yet? I hope not, because here we go! Birth is an event as big as any wedding. There are many many hours of editing to do. We are not done because the birth is over. However; unlike a wedding, parents want those images like yesterday. We edit, edit edit. Circling back to the wall color, this can take many hours if we have to edit out color cast from faces. Granted this is more documentary than a wedding is, but the same effort is given to each image.

So There You Have It

As much as we love this genre and believe in it on a visceral level, it is a lot of work. It’s not something we can give away even though we absolutely love it. It is time consuming and technical. I haven’t even mentioned camera costs, flash costs and software for editing. We also have business licenses and insurance to keep current. There are workshops to help us continuously improve our craft, organization dues and website maintenance costs. We are business owners. We love our business, but we need to treat as a business.

So yes, it can be expensive. I fully understand that. But now, I hope you have an idea why.

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A professional birth photographer understands first and foremost how to shoot in low light. Most home births and birthing center births have low lighting. This is used in order to make a calm birthing space. Hospitals also tend to have low lighting except for the exceptionally bright hot spot light aimed your lady bits. Now that is challenging light! In any case, we need to know how to utilize the light and we need to have the correct gear to accomplish that. For those that use flash (I do), they need to know how to use it correctly as to not disrupt the the birthing person and the birth space energy.

The birth photographer also needs to know where and when to move around. This really comes with time and practice.You should have seen my first birth, I was in everyone’s way! Thankfully, they were all very gracious and I learned. Along the same lines if you are squeezed into a corner, a seasoned birth photographer will know how to work that corner. Trust me, I have been there too.

Finally, a professional birth photographer will make the images look good. What that means, is that we know the angles, the lighting and how to capture it in a way that is tasteful yet authentic. Documenting your story in its entirety is our goal. You are your story. Your partner, your birth team and how your amazing fortitude and strength brought your child to your arms is your story.

If you would like to know more about the birth photography services I offer, as well as pricing, please click here.

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At the end of the crazy year known as 2020, a gentleman from the magazine ShoutOut LA contacted me. He asked if I would like to be interviewed for their start up magazine. I gave them a resounding Heck yea! It seems I always have so much to say! However; they shot me some real zingers that I really had to think about. I had to be brave and really tell my story of how I came to Los Angeles and continued my work as a birth and maternity photographer.

I invite you to read my interview with ShoutOut LA Magazine here

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So 2020 has been a bit of a whammy, hasn’t it? I have really neglected my beloved blog. Being the last day of 2020, it is fitting I make this year in review type of post. The last entry was in July and so much has happened since then! I have had several maternity sessions during COVID.

With hospitals not allowing birth photographers in and birth centers doing a reduction in support people allowed to attend, I have turned my focus to three things.

Doula Certification

The first is I am in the process of getting certified as a Doula. This is something I am really excited about! It not only allows me to grow as a birth worker, but will further my skills in holding space for the laboring person and partner. What does that mean though-holding space? It simply means being physically, mentally and emotionally present without judgement. “The person who is holding space helps set the tone for a kind, curious, and judgment-free interaction where the other person can be vulnerable, and like the term says “have space.” 

Maternity Sessions During COVID

The second thing I have focused on during 2020 is studio maternity photography. Maternity sessions during COVID are alive and well. Several online courses and webinars have led me to really excel in this genre. I have also been entering images into photography competitions which is something I have never done before. Winning a bronze in the RISE International Photography Competition motivated and pushed me to excel.

Website optimization

Finally, I have worked hard on this website. If you are visiting again, you will see it is much faster loading. There was a time for most of 2020 that the website was as slow as this year was long! My invaluable website builder, Tom, has put up with endless emails and phone calls from me and, well, I am incredibly indebted to him for what you are seeing now.

I look forward to a wonderful year ahead filled with growth, love and births!

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#IAPBP2020Competiton

@BIRTHPHOTOGS

The IAPBP Organization and the best birth photos of 2020

IAPBP (International Association of Professional Birth Photographers) was founded 10 years ago by Lyndsay Stradtner of Life in Motion Photography.

The organization does an annual image contest and I have always made sure to apply. The best birth photos in 2020 is a fabulous event. As you might imagine with all the incredibly outstanding artists in 52 different countries and 1140+ members, acing the contest with a winning image is every birth photographer’s greatest annual challenge.

Standing among these global on-call artists who work under the hardest lighting and environmental conditions is such an honor in itself. I have enjoyed submitting my images to the contest on an annual basis to see how much we have all grown as artists. I also love to see how the world has changed regarding Birth Photography.

My Story

10 years ago when the organization was founded, I was not yet a mother.

6 years ago, and already 4 years into the organization’s launch, I became a mother.  I had not even heard an ounce of what a Birth Photographer was.

I had an emergency C-section. The entire event was a chaotic blur from the moments leading up to delivery, the delivery itself and immediately after.  It was a full 24 hours before I could even set eyes on him or touch him. Later, at home, I reveled in motherhood, but mourned for all that I missed. I wanted those moments back and wished someone had been there to document them for me. This started my journey into birth work. I’m so incredibly blown away with what has happened in the world with the shift of people learning about the power and transformation of birth, and welcoming artists who are also birth workers at the core into the sacred birth space. Read more about my journey to motherhood here.

Now, to be perfectly honest, I did not enter this years competition, but watch for me next year! I am so proud of all the wonderful artist around the world that entered. If you would like to talk about your birth plan, send me a message or call me today.

If you’d like to view all the winners of this year’s contest, and all the 702 entries, click below:

(https://birthphotographers.com/2020-birth-photography-image-competition/)

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I started this September with the most lovely momma, Teri, who came in to my studio for some maternity photos. Since she wanted something she could display in a frame prominently on the wall, I went into creative mode. I envisioned her in a beautiful red dress within a painterly soft image. A woman is only pregnant for 9 months…which is a blip on the lifetime radar. Something that comes and goes all too quickly. Because time is precious, capture these beautiful moments of pregnancy not just you, but your children and their children.

Booking A Session

Booking your session is super easy! If you are between 30-36 weeks, give me a call or send a message. My studio is currently in North Hollywood. I offer hair and makeup complimentary with some packages. Other packages, you can add on hair and makeup. It is terrific fun to get all dolled up and truly embrace the beauty that is you.

Who can be in the maternity photos?

I welcome you, your partner or any children that you already have. It makes the most beautiful image when siblings are there. It really underlines the fact that your growing baby is loved and cherished!

What about props?

I am a huge advocate of props. That being said, the right props can increase the personalization. The wrong props can clutter. Bring something to the session that is meaningful to you such as a musical instrument you play, a book you wrote (or a favorite reading one)! I will incorporate it into your personal piece of art.

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First off, let me say Happy 2019 everyone. I am so glad you found your way to my birth photography website; it is a pleasure to have you here. If you are pregnant and expecting to deliver in 2019, you are likely on your journey to put together your birth team, which hopefully includes a birth photographer.

There are so many great reasons to hire someone to document the birth of your baby. The first and best reason is that the day will go by so fast (even if you labor a long time!) and frankly you won’t be concentrating on trying to remember every little thing, your focus will be on you and your child. A birth photographer will be there to capture all those fleeting moments; ones you may not even realize happened. Birth photography gives you back a day you can relive as often as you would like, even when your sweet baby is going to college.

Birth photography can be healing too. Sometimes births can be traumatic. These births can come from the length of time one is labor, medical interventions, type of delivery or a plethora of other events. With birth photography, the mother can look back, when ready, to see what happened and can take comfort in the photography and all that day meant. It really can have a healing affect.

I don’t need to twist your arm about the value of birth photography. If you found your way here, you already see the value. This blog post is more about the top questions to ask your potential birth photographer.

My Top Questions to ask a Birth Photographer

• Will you be on call for me 24 hours a day around by due date? Babies come at every hour. More often  than not, babies come knocking at 2am, so it is vital that you have a contract between you and your photographer and that she is available 34 hours a day.

• Are they a legal business? Do they have their business license, are they insured and do you have a contract? This will tell you if you are dealing with a true professional. If something happens and they miss the birth (due to their negligence) and you have no contract and they aren’t a legal business, chances of you recouping anything are slim.

• How many births have they shot? This one is a toughie for me, but it is a question to ask. Why it is tough is that someone with a couple births under their belt can be an outstanding artist and those who have done many can be terrible. It is something good to know, but doesn’t always reflect what they are capable of. It does; however, tell you their experience in a medical setting whether it is a hospital birth, home birth or birthing center birth.

• What will you photograph? Some families are okay with all of it and some are very private and want nothing to do with photographing from “the doctors point of view”. I am very client centered which means if you ask me to stay by your head the entire time, that’s what I will do. If you want everything photographed, that is what I will do within the medical professional’s rules. The actual birth is but a very small portion of your birth story.

I am sure you will have a ton more questions to ask your birth photographer, but these I feel, are the biggies. Remember you must feel comfortable with everyone on your birth team so ask as many questions as it takes. Are you ready to start a conversation? Contact me and lets do it!

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