Modesto Birth
Photographer & Videographer

Communication is one the best ways to ensure that I make it to your birth in time. When clients communicate with me well, it’s very rare that I miss a birth. But sometimes even with the very best communication, precipitous births happen. It’s part of your story! In the rare event that you give birth and aren’t able to notify me with enough time, I will still deliver the same amount of images to you and your family. I will come to your birth place as soon as possible and document all the beautiful moments that follow your baby’s arrival. Your story is just as unique and beautiful as any other, and as a trained birth photographer, I know how to tell the story of a fast labor and birth (even if I’m not there!) That   being said, as long as you give me an hour’s notice, either me or my back-up will be at your birth. And in the rare event your baby comes quicker OR there is an unforeseen obstacle (snow storm, traffic accident, etc…) I promise you’ll still receive a full collection of hand-edited images. Your story will be documented regardless of how slow or quickly it happens.

What happens if baby comes quickly?

As a professional birth photographer, I’ve documented all types of birth stories. Some take place in labor and delivery rooms. Some take place at homes. Some take place in the OR. No matter where or how you have your baby…your story is beautiful. I love documenting cesarean
births, whether planned or unplanned. Not all hospitals are comfortable with having a photographer present in the OR, but I always encourage my clients to advocate strongly for what they want/desire. I work hard to create and maintain a positive relationship with our local hospitals and providers so that I have the very
best chance of going back in the event you need a cesarean birth. But regardless of what happens, I still know how to tell your story. I’ll document the moments leading up to your birth. The anticipation is beautiful as you count down the minutes to your baby’s arrival. In the event I’m not granted access into the OR, I’ll be waiting for you as soon as you leave. I’ll document the first moments you both hold your baby. I’ll capture all the small and big details that are so easily forgotten. I’ll give you a gallery of photos that depicts the immense love you and your partner shared as you welcomed your baby into the world.

I became a birth photographer because I believe in the POWER of reliving and remembering your birth story. For many people, their birth day is the most transformative day of their lives. But I also recognize that birth is a deeply intimate and spiritual process. It requires an atmosphere of peace and trust. I bring my equipment into your birth space with the intention of capturing your story but I also recognize how easily my presence could turn into a distraction. I’ve worked on my camera skills for years. My experience allows me to enter your birth space, knowing just how to move throughout the room without distracting you or your partner. I use my equipment thoughtfully and I shoot purposefully. I want each click of my camera to matter. I want you to be overwhelmed ONLY with the love of your partner, the strength of your body, and the anticipation of meeting your baby. Countless clients, partners, and care providers have told me that they hardly noticed I was in the room with them. They’re amazed by the moments I was able to capture when they receive their birth galleries. I know it’s a risk to invite anyone to your birth, but please know as a professional birth photographer, my number one goal is to capture your story without disrupting the flow of it.

I’ve worked with several families over the years, and one thing I’ve found is that many partners don’t understand just how important these moments are…until after baby is here and they’re able to see how transformative the experience was (not only for you but for themselves too!) I
want my clients’ partners to be able to fully immerse themselves in this incredible experience. I want them to be able to love on you and your baby…and not worry about also taking pictures! And I will say that there is nothing better than seeing your partner’s face/reaction after he/she sees your baby for the very first time.
I know how to give couples the space and intimacy they need during the birth process. Many of my clients later tell me that having them in the room was so reassuring. At most hospitals, you won’t know your nurse…and you might not even know your OB or Midwife. It can be helpful to have someone that you both trust with you during your labor and birth.  I'm happy to spend some time with the both of you before baby gets here! 

My partner doesn't feel good about it. 

What happens if I have a c-section?

I'm worried having a photographer will be distracting in labor. 

I work with so many second and third time moms who tell me that their number one regret from their first birth was that they didn’t hire a birth photographer. It’s normal to feel uncertain about the birth process when yo  haven’t’ gone through it, but one thing that seems consistent is that most moms say that their birth was one of the most powerful days of their life…and that it was
also a blur. There is so much happening physically and emotionally when you give birth, and there are so many little and big moments that you, your partner, and your children will want to look back on in the years to come. Much like your wedding day! As a professional birth photographer and doula,  I’m highly trained to read your non-verbal cues and to recognize the different stages of the birth process. My presence is often incredibly calming and reassuring to the families I work with. But most importantly, I provide my families with timeless images of some of the best moments of their life.

I understand where you’re coming from.  It’s incredibly vulnerable to ask someone to come in with a camera, but as a professional birth photographer, I know how to capture the beauty of your birth day in a way that is flattering and powerful. I truly believe that every birthing person looks incredible when they give birth. It’s such a transformational experience, and there is nothing more beautiful than the overwhelming love that comes over you and your partner when you meet your baby. As someone who has documented countless birth stories, I know how to work with angles and lighting to produce images that are flattering and real.

I'm a first time birther, and Im not sure about the birth process. 

I am worried that birth photos will not be very flattering. 

Absolutely.  When you book with me, you will sign a legally-binding contract and model release that will allow you to choose the level of privacy that you wish to have.  You will also have the option of reviewing your birth gallery and videos before I post anything so you can note what you are comfortable with/not comfortable with sharing. 

Do you have a privacy guarantee? 

People sometimes assume that when you hire a birth photographer, you’re also signing up for pictures of your vagina. While I believe that birth is a powerful physical process, I also believe it’s an incredible emotional transformation. Some of my clients hire me to capture both the physical and the emotional, while other clients prefer a more modest gallery that focuses on your reaction and connection to your partner and baby. We talk about this in our initial consult and I do my best to deliver a gallery that fits what you’re looking for in a birth photographer. Because I document your story as it unfolds, I won’t instruct you to wear a certain outfit, to cover up your nipples, or to pose. But I do know how to work angles, and I’m often able to deliver images that are more modest than most people assume possible. If you don’t want crowning images, I don’t have to take them. If you’re not sure, I can always take them and give
you the option to delete after. Every birth story is unique, and every family is unique. I want to get to know you and your story, and honor it the best I can.

I'm worried about modesty. how do you handle that?

Answers to Common Concerns

What kind of experience do you have?

I was certified and trained by the Birth Becomes You team, Jenn and Monet, in both birth photography AND videography, and I have photographed home births, epidural births, c-section births, surrogate births, unmedicated births in a birthing center, breech home births, premature births, inductions, and births that happened exactly on their due date ;).  I am also a DONA-certified doula and am currently working on BBY doula certification.  

Birth is a life-changing event. It’s the culmination of love and intimacy. I can understand your hesitations about having a photographer in your birth space. But as a trained birth photographer, my aim is to blend in seamlessly with your birth team. I can read my clients well, and I know that there are times where the best thing to do is to step out and give you and your partner time to be alone together. I often do this during labor and after your baby arrives. A birth photographer is very different from a wedding photographer. I won’t ever be asking you to pose, to smile, to move. My goal is to document your story quietly and unobtrusively, with
the aim of honoring the sacredness of your birth journey. So many clients tell me that their birth photos are their most prized possessions. These moments are so worth capturing. I also find that many of my clients appreciate having a familiar face in their birth room as you
may or may not know the nurses/providers at your birth.

I want an intimate birth experience without too much happening. 

As a professional birth photographer in Modesto,  I have a reputation in our community for being a trusted addition to a family’s birth team. I’ve worked at the local hospitals here, and over time I’ve developed a positive relationship with the labor and delivery unit. I’m aware of their guidelines surrounding photography, and I know how to follow safety standards so that my presence NEVER impacts your well-being or their ability to do their job. More and more providers are realizing just how powerful these images are for the families they serve. They see how birth photography can help parents better understand their birth story. Many of them love having the opportunity to receive an image (with your permission) of them doing their jobs. One of the benefits of hiring a professional birth photographer is that we work tirelessly to form and maintain positive relationships with the entire birth community here. If you’re concerned, feel free to ask your provider at your next prenatal appointment. You can even show him/her my website. But I’ve never had a provider not allow a photographer to attend their patient’s birth.

Will my hospital/provider allow a photographer in the room? 

A lot of people assume that a birth session might be similarly priced to a portrait session. But because birth is so unpredictable, I go on-call for you as soon as you hire me. I'm ready to join you guys - day or night - be it right on your due date, at 38 weeks, at 41 weeks....It's a sacrifice I love to make for my clients, but it does require a lifestyle that's very different than most. I don't ever get "off time." By charging as much as I do, I can stay with you as long as your labor takes. Some women give birth in 6 hours, while other women give birth in 30. Each birth story is unique and unpredictable. I've even sat with a 4th time mom (who had simple 3-hour births with her other kiddos) for 17+ hours.  I'm also able to purchase and maintain the very best photography equipment. My cameras are uniquely equipped to handle the immense demands of low light. Birth photography is definitely the most demanding of all photography genres. There are always photographers who are willing to give birth a “try.” These cheaper photographers often have inferior equipment or don’t necessarily understand what it means to be on-call. I’ve unfortunately received my share of panicked calls from women whose photographers went on a camping trip or didn’t answer their phone when their water broke. A lot of people aren’t aware how much professional birth photography costs but it truly is the most challenging type of photography out there...and it’s so worth it to hire an expert. I not only want you to have beautiful images, but I also want you to feel like you hired someone who truly understands and respects the sacredness of the birth process. I've spent years training and learning with midwives so that my presence doesn't interrupt your labor or birth. I do offer payment plans if you are interested, and/or my Fresh 48 sessions are a great option too. These sessions take within 2 days of birth. Many families decide to go this route if a birth session is more than they can budget for. I also have many families put birth photography on their baby shower registry. I’d be more than happy to help set this up for you.

It's way too expensive.