Why a Backup Birth Photographer Matters

Why a Backup Birth Photographer Matters

Birth is such a beautiful and moving experience… it’s also very unpredictable! Add that to this wild season of 2020, and having a backup birth photographer is a must. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become even more important with the “possible” exposures leading to a necessary quarantine. The thought of missing your birth, or other major events, makes me so sad, but the good news is that all is well with a trusty backup photographer.

If you’re looking for a birth photographer, make sure you choose one with a trusted backup. You might be thinking, “What!? Why would I need to think about a backup when you’re the photographer I want!?”

Don’t worry, my friend. In the event the backup photographer photographs your birth, you’re still MY client, and you’ll receive photos in the style you LOVE. 

Let me explain how this works, and just one of many stories of why a backup birth photographer is so important. 

home birth photography

birth photography

why a backup birth photographer matters

birth photographer

home birth photography

“I DO” Love My Backup Birth Photographer 

Please meet Tara from Tara Photography. We are delighted to be each other’s backup photographer and have been for over a year. This partnership allows us to serve more clients on the Seacoast of New Hampshire while knowing we can trust each other to care of the other’s clients. Together, we photograph clients from Exeter, NH, to Newburyport, MA, and all the way to York, ME!

Last fall, Tara was “scheduled” (quotes because a due date is so unpredictable) to photograph the home birth of beautiful Whitaker. She had one, small, tiny conflict around the same time as his due date – officiating a wedding! Tara hoped the two events wouldn’t collide, but to be safe, she reached out for me to be on deck and made sure the birth mom knew it was a possibility. 

On that beautiful fall day, I received the call that I needed to photograph the birth, and I hustled my butt over to the home birth! You might think that walking into a birth without knowing the mom would be awkward, but it wasn’t at all! We didn’t skip a beat, and I was able to get to know this incredible mama in between surges

This being her third birth, things progressed quickly, and Whitaker came fast and quick on a beautiful fall day. He was in a hurry to join his older siblings, who came running over to see him come into this world. They also had a lot of fun exploring the placenta with Midwife Morgan from Flourish Midwifery from Wells, Maine. After that incredible experience, I handed the raw files over to Tara, who edited them to her style and delivered them to Whitaker’s family.

home birth photography

How a Backup Birth Photographer Works 

Does it seem a little odd that I’m so passionate about educating you on the importance of a birth photographer? It’s because I am! Working with a backup photographer is an essential part of running a thriving birth photography business. 

Having a backup in place shows my clients that I understand how important their baby’s birth is and provides my clients with peace of mind knowing their special day will be photographed. 

In the event of, let’s say, a COVID-19 exposure, the health and safety of your family is my ultimate priority, and I would call on my backup to photograph your birth. You are always my client and all communication goes through me before and after! If Tara is the one who photographs your birth, she simply takes the photographs and hands over the raw images to me for editing and prepping. 

home birth photography | New Hampshire

Some of my mamas have asked to meet my backup, and that is totally fine! Since this is a very personal event, I would expect you to feel comfortable with the person photographing your birth. Even a quick Zoom with Tara in the months leading up to the birth can add even more peace of mind. 

In an effort to keep all my clients safe, if there’s ever a hint of a COVID-19 exposure, I have used Tara to back me up for other sessions such as maternity, newborn, and family sessions. I’ve shared some of these photos on my own social media, and I bet you couldn’t tell the difference! 😉 If you would like to learn more about Birth Photography, please contact me today to set up a free consultation. 

your birth photographer

your home birth photographer

why you need a backup birth photographer

 

 

 

Birth Photography at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital |  Quick Arrival after a Long Journey

Birth Photography at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital | Quick Arrival after a Long Journey

I first met Ashley and Matt in the beginning of their third trimester and we hit is off right away.  Their sense of humor and our personalities clicked right away.  Birth Photography at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is on the rise and I was so happy when they chose me to document the birth of their first child.  I knew that it was going to be a great experience and the nurses, midwives and hospital staff were amazing to work with and were SO amazing in helping Ashley have the natural birth that she wanted.

After 5 years of infertility struggles, Ashley and Matt were over the moon to be expecting their first son on Thanksgiving Day.  During their maternity photo session there was lots of joking and laugher about what it would be like in the delivery room and I knew that Matt was going to make this birth HYSTERICAL!  I wasn’t wrong.

 Durham-NH-Maternity-Photographer, Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital-Birth-Photographer, Birth-Photography-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Durham-NH-Maternity-Photographer, Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital-Birth-Photographer, Birth-Photography-NH, White-Wave-Photography

Thanksgiving came and went and no baby.  After a few false alarms, I finally got the call from daddy to be, Matt at 4:45am on December 3rd saying they were headed to the hospital.  He was the best at keeping me posted as her labor progressed and around 9am I jumped in the car and headed to Dover.

When I arrived, it was quiet and dark and Ashley was breathing quietly through her contractions while her midwife and Matt were reassuring her that she could do it through every contraction.  “You got this babe” was whispered through each contraction followed by a funny remark once they had subsided.  Matt was one of those dads who was fully involved and knew EXACTLY how to help his wife get through to meeting their son.  Humor was very much a part of their birth plan :).

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

Over the next hour or so we all held space while Ashley moved from the bed, to the birthing ball and back again.  I was in awe of her as she labored quietly with so much strength.  She whispered to her nurse “I don’t think I can do this anymore” and just then we heard a pop (yes a pop) and her water broke.  Her body knew just what to do and she instinctively started pushing.

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

With just a few quick pushes, Baby Samuel entered the world just in time for us all to watch the Patriots Game (mom is a big fan).

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

This beautiful morning birth was one of my favorites because I got to capture the emotion of other family members meeting Baby Samuel for the first time.  Birth is emotional for all of those involved and I can’t lie…I shed a tear every now and then.  Birth is Beatuiful!

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

One of my favorite parts of birth photography is capturing all of those little details during a baby’s first exam.  The weight, the length, those little features…all the details for mom to cherish forever.

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

And then there were 3!

 Birth-Photography-Wentworth-Douglas-Hospital, Birth-Photographer-Dover-NH, White-Wave-Photography

Thank you to Ashely and Matt for allowing me to capture their beautiful birth story!  I am already looking forward to the next one:).

If you are interested in learning more about Birth Photography, I would love to schedule a time to chat.  Contact me today to set up a FREE 15-Minute Phone Consultation.