FAQ's and Expert Answers

Welcoming a new baby into the world is a momentous occasion filled with emotion and beauty. As an expectant mother in Cape Town, you might be considering capturing these precious moments with the help of a professional birth photographer. My name is Deidre, and I often receive many questions from parents-to-be about what to expect when hiring a birth photographer. A while ago, I received an enquiry from a mama-to-be and I thought her questions were so great and covered pretty much everything you'd need to know when making a decision to hire a Birth Photographer. These answers provided her with the confidence to trust me with this momentous task and the resulting images are a priceless treasure to their family. I thought I'd share all her questions and my responses, in the hopes that you too will get the answers to the thoughts that are undoubtedly turning over in your very busy 'mom-to-be' mind. I hope this serves as a guide to provide you with everything you need to know about what goes into documenting such a lifechanging event in visual splendor.

Hi Deidre,

Hope you are well.

I’m currently expecting and am very interested in hiring a birth photographer to capture this special moment. I have a few questions that I hope you can help with:

Experience and Portfolio

Could you share a portfolio of your birth photography work? Seeing examples would really help me envision what you can capture.

Absolutely! Please be sure to check out my portfolio link below. I hope you enjoy viewing these moments as much as I enjoyed capturing them. Every birth is unique and beautiful. It has been such a joy and privilege to be part of each family's story. I have experience with both natural and C-section deliveries and whatever your birth story may be, I am well equipped to make sure every precious moment is beautifully documented, while maintaining the utmost respect for the sanctity of the birthing environment.

Availability

What is your availability around my due date? Babies can be unpredictable, so it’s important to know your flexibility.

I keep my schedule flexible around due dates to accommodate the unpredictability of births. I don't take many bookings in a month, to minimize the risk of scheduling conflicts.

How do you manage early or late deliveries? It would be reassuring to know your approach to these scenarios.

Birth certainly can be unpredictable. The on-call period generally starts at 37weeks, until baby arrives. Even scheduled C-sections often don't go to plan. I am fully prepared to spring into action, whenever I get the call.

Services Offered

What does your birth photography package include? I'm curious about the specifics and any additional services you might offer.

I like to get to know each other a bit, and chat about your birth plan and photo preferences. I'll be on standby as we approach your due date. Once labor is established, I will be there to cover the labor process, or prepping for C-section, the birth and then those

first precious moments with your newborn for approximately an hour after the birth.

Do you also offer maternity or newborn photo sessions? It would be wonderful to have a cohesive story from pregnancy through to newborn photos.

Absolutely, I offer both Maternity and Newborn sessions so you can document your whole journey from bump to baby and beyond.

Style and Approach

How would you describe your photography style? I’m interested in how you capture the emotion and intimacy of the moment.

My style is narrative and emotive, focusing on capturing the authentic moments of the birth experience. My clients are often very surprised when they see the photos. I try to capture the 'feeling' of moments they don't even realize are happening.

How do you handle the often low-light environments of birth settings?

I am well-equipped to handle the low-light situations commonly found in birth settings. I use high-end camera equipment, ensuring quality images regardless of the lighting conditions.

Logistics

How do you manage being on-call for births? Knowing your process for this would be very helpful.

Being on-call is a critical part of my service. I am available 24/7 around your due date and stay in close contact as your labor progresses.

What’s your response time once labor begins?

You or your birth partner will have to keep me in the loop with developments. Depending on your birthing location I would need about 90 minutes to get there.

Privacy and Comfort

How do you ensure the privacy and comfort of the mother and family during the birth?

Ensuring your comfort and privacy is paramount. I maintain a respectful and discreet presence, working closely with you and your medical team.

Are you comfortable working in different settings, such as hospitals, birthing centers, or home births?

I am comfortable working in various settings, including hospitals, birthing centers, and home births. Each environment has its unique beauty.

Backup Plans

Do you have a backup photographer in case of unforeseen circumstances where you might be unavailable?

Yes, I do have a network of trusted backup photographers who can step in should any unforeseen circumstances arise.

What is your protocol if there are changes in the birth setting or timing?

If there are any changes in the birth setting or timing, I adapt quickly to ensure no moments are missed.

Cost and Payment

What are your rates, and what does the fee include? Understanding the cost and what it covers is important for our planning.

My rates are currently set at R6000, which includes, documenting labor, delivery and the immediate post-partum period as you bond with your new baby.

I do however want to make this service available to everyone and always try my best to accommodate payment plans when booking early enough in your pregnancy. I require a 25% deposit to secure your booking, and the remaining balance is due by 37weeks. I also have combo packages across maternity, birth and newborn categories, that offer great savings.



Delivery and Editing

How long after the birth will we receive the photos? I’m excited to know when we can expect to see them.

I bet! You can expect to receive your photos within two weeks of the birth.

How many edited photos will we receive, and in what format? Details on the final product would be great.

Since every birth is so different, it's difficult to give an exact number of photos. I shoot stills that are delivered in both colour and timeless black and white, as well as some video clips to include in a beautiful birth story (subject to hospital rules). You can rest assured, knowing that every significant moment will be beautifully captured. Your edited, high-resolution images are delivered via a private online gallery. You can download, share, and print as you wish.

References and Reviews

Can you provide references from previous clients? Hearing from other families would be reassuring.

Absolutely! There are reviews available on Google, Facebook, as well as my website. If you'd like to have a chat with some previous clients, I'd be happy to put you in touch.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Do you have a contract that outlines the terms and conditions? It's important for us to have everything clearly laid out.

Yes, I provide a detailed contract outlining all terms and conditions to ensure everything is clear and agreed upon.

How do you handle sensitive images, and what rights do we have over the photos?

I handle all sensitive images with the utmost care and respect. All photos are processed and used in accordance with the SABPA code of ethics. Only images that you have seen and approved will ever be published for promotional purposes.

Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to hearing back from you and hopefully working together to capture this amazing journey.

Kind regards,

Sarah

Thank you again for considering me. I’m excited at the possibility of working together and capturing this incredible journey for you. Please let me know if you have any more questions or would like to schedule a meeting to discuss further.

Warm regards

Deidre