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Rooted In Her
Birth Photographer + Doula - Joyce Anne Honigford
419 615 8062
Thank you for inviting us to photograph your upcoming birth! Hiring a birth photographer frees up your support people and ensures you get those important moments captured. Birth & labor are very unpredictable and therefore these are not typical portrait sessions. The lighting may be dim, and planning what's going to happen can be difficult. We shoot your labor & birth as it unfolds, in a photo-journalistic style. We are sensitive to your needs as a laboring woman and understand our role is to document quietly and unobtrusively. Having been on both sides of the birth process, we also understand which special moments you may want and how to ensure that they are captured forever. Below are some guidelines to ensure that we can give you the best experience possible. Please read and then provide your signature.
Even if you have a planned induction or cesarean, sometimes things can change. Remember this as you read the following paragraph.
“It's Time!" Please contact us as soon as you *think* you might be in labor so we can begin making plans to be there. Even if it’s 2 a.m. Even if it’s a false alarm, we’d much rather be ready to roll than to miss the event! It is also helpful for us if you check in after doctor’s appointments from 37 weeks forward and let us know how things are progressing and/or if there will be any changes to your initial birth plan.
I attempt to arrive 1-2 hours prior to birth. I start documenting immediately your labor and stay until the baby is born and approx. 1 1/2 to 2 hours after. Sometimes this time following can be extended depending on the situation. I ask, however, you remember if I have been photographing labor for several hours, waiting for a sibling to arrive or some other situation, I may have gone now several hours without sleep.
The experience will be documented including the birth (from a modest perspective). Mother’s “bottom” will not be visible in the images.
For the days preceding your due date (or sooner if your doctor thinks your date is approaching) I will stay very close to home and let you know if I have to go somewhere that is further then an hour away.
There are a few things you should “note” about your birth documentary.
✓You will be asked to sign a contract at least one month in advance of your due date.
✓We require mothers to check to see if their doctor/hospital permits me photographing the birth. Please also make sure how many are permitted in the room with you at a time. It is understood that your doula/ birth photographer will be one of those people, along with other people of your choice. If restrictions prevent the presence of a photographer, have Rooted In Her ( Joyce Honigford ) written down as a birth doula. This applies not only to vaginal deliveries but also cesarean deliveries.
✓ We ask that moms keep us informed via text message of their progress and how their doctor thinks that they are progressing, this allows us to carry a lighter schedule as your due date arrives, and move sessions in advance if your little one looks like they might arrive sooner.
✓Though we maintain “modesty” in your images (no pictures straight on of the head coming out) it is understood, that by being in the room, we will probably see parts of your body you aren’t used to people seeing.
✓If you are planning on “nursing” the baby, we will stay to take pictures of the first time you “nurse” the baby, for you to have as a keepsake.
✓After your session, we edit selected images and load them to the web site where you can download full resolution images with print release.
✓ In the event that something goes “unexpected” with your birth, and I (or others) are asked to leave the room, I will stay and photograph what I am able after the baby’s birth.
✓ In the event of a cesarean section, it is understood that I may not be allowed to photograph the birth, as usually only one support person is allowed in the operating room. However, the baby, parents and all other events will be photographed. If the doctors and nurses don’t mind me being in the operating room, I will go forward and photograph the birth.
✓In the event that for some reason you have to be transferred to another hospital (early labor or complications) it may not be possible for me to photograph your birth.