Please, please, please let family members and providers know that you will have a photographer documenting your birth!! The first birth tips: This lets them know that these photographs are important to you and to step back to allow me to capture them for you. 

Ok but seriously, communication with your birth photographer is key and is one of my biggest birth tips

I honestly can’t say it enough. The biggest reason I would miss a birth is because of lack of communication. A lot of times, after the birth, I’m told that mama was having contractions and “oh, I just didn’t want to bother you if it wasn’t time yet/too early.” Please, please bother your birth photographer! we would rather come to you, and get all that documentation, than miss your birth. You’re not hiring a birth photographer to miss your birth right? Please text them as soon as you are having contractions or if you even feel different. CALL me as soon as you know that yep, babe is for sure coming right now!

Helpful tip: Include my number in a group chat with your husband, midwives, and doula! Then you can update everyone at once and is super simple on your husband if things accelerate quicker than planned.

What you wear during your birth does matter

Yes, there is absolutely an element of documentary right? Photographing and filming as it all happens, true to your story. If you’re anything like me (but specifically more like my husband) there may be one thing that you get stuck on, and we can prevent that by what you wear.

Dads:
Please do not wear black/red/ or any very dark colored shirts. The birth space is dark, we don’t want you to blend in.
Nothing with any obvious logos (something you may get stuck on, like how you wish your favorite shirt displaying that awesome hunting gear you love is in all your wife’s images)
Please don’t wear a hat. We want to see your face. Some of the best parts of any film are how you, dad, display your emotions.

Honestly. All these will distract from the moment.

Moms:
Plan to wear a cute bralette, sports bra, bandeau, or nursing bra that you feel comfortable in. Something like lace is really beautiful and adds an extra element of texture. If it gets wet you will have to take it off, but thats okay. If your breasts are exposed that is totally fine, there is absolutely no judgement, but please keep in mind your images and video will show this. After babe is born, you’ll probably want to have something covering your body, so a solid color or simple print robe would be perfect.

Helpful birth tips: pack what you would like everyone to wear, the bra you plan on wearing, the towels and blankets you would like to use, all in one place so you don’t chance forgetting. If you’re a home birth mama, put it with all that!

Towels & Bedding:

This leads me to the other fabrics that will be in the majority of your photos. Please keep solid color towels near the birth space, solid colors add to the beautiful look of your birth story. This same thought goes for your bedding. Simple, lighter colors, are perfect for helping the light in your probably dimly lit birth space. *For both layers of bedding

Helpful birth tips: If you are a home birth mama, include the good sheets under the waterproof layer, so when the midwives change out your bedding, the sheets you would like for your birth photographs are already there!

Lighting:

You are going to want your birth space a little darker. It’s just the way women prefer to labor. With that knowledge I have invested in high quality camera gear that can pull lighting from even the smallest source. With that said though, there does need to be some light. More light if you don’t want completely dark photos. *Lighting also plays a roll in your video. Adding lighting sources that let your midwives, husband, and myself see what’s going on is super helpful. I recommend adding light that isn’t distracting or takes you out of your laboring pattern. You can use lamps, turning on a light from a room farther away, adding a rope of light to your birth pool, and twinkle lights with your affirmations hung next to your birth space. Just to name a few ideas.

Helpful tip: Light candles is the honestly the best in my opinion. Not only because how soft and beautiful the light is, but how candles bring on a feeling of safety and romance. Makes the mood of your birth space a little more relaxed.

Birth tips for room in your birth space:

Home birth mamas: Midwives will usually mention choosing a room or space that you feel the most comfortable, and I totally agree! A room where you don’t have to walk up/down steps and there’s a bathroom and a bed nearby. That usually leads most moms to their master bedroom. The space in the room you choose may be a little tight. Specifically around the birth tub, where most moms want to labor, sometimes ends up being pushed against the wall. Where your midwives, husband, and birth photographer, all need to squeeze into.

Helpful tip: Try to pick a space or move your birth pool farther from the wall so everyone you’ve chosen to be there can have room to move around. Midwives to assist you during catching, your husband to be a hand to squeeze, and me to photograph all those sweet moments of babe making it earth side. (There’s such a high chance you’ll end up switching positions right before baby gets here, that you will want us all to be able to move around)

Hospital mamas: The room around your bed can be so limited and that’s where I have the highest chance of standing without someone getting right in my shot. Your husband, and if you choose to have your mom or a doula with you, will stand next to your sides. Leaving enough room for your OB and nurses.

Helpful tip: because of limited space, you might want to have only a select few people in your labor room. My suggestion would be max 3 people.