On Wednesday morning, an hour before my set alarm.... I woke up to the sound of excited little voices chit-chatting, debates about whose turn it was to use the bathroom first, and the distinct clang of a lunchbox hitting the kitchen floor. It was the first day of school, and if you’re a parent, you’ll know it’s a mix of chaos, nostalgia, and relief (finally, a quiet house—for a few hours).

But let’s rewind to the night before. Like any seasoned mom, I was in planning mode. Uniforms were neatly laid out, water bottles filled, and I double-checked stationery packs as if their entire academic futures depended on whether or not they had a sharp HB pencil.

It struck me, in that moment of over-preparation, how much of parenting revolves around planning.

From the first baby blanket to the first day of school, parenting is a constant exercise in preparation. And right now, you’re probably already a pro at planning for your baby’s arrival. You’ve got the doctor’s appointments, the birth plan, and the hospital bag checklist down.

But here’s the thing: planning for the day your baby is born isn’t just about what happens that day. It’s about setting yourself up to hold on to the details of the experience forever.

The Beauty of Being Ready

When you’re planning every detail of your birth experience, hiring a birth photographer might not seem like a top priority—but trust me, it’s one of the easiest ways to ensure that while you’re busy living this once-in-a-lifetime moment, someone else is there to capture it.

It’s the ultimate piece of planning that 'future you' will thank you for, especially when you’re sitting in your living room one day, reminiscing with your child over those beautiful photos.

Controlled Chaos Is Still Chaos

If the first day of school reminds us of anything, it’s that even with the best planning, there’s always a bit of chaos. Socks go missing. Lunchboxes get forgotten. Someone cries (usually me).

Birth is no different. It’s unpredictable, raw, and completely out of your hands. But having a birth photographer there means one less thing to think about. You don’t have to worry about dim lighting, blurry photos, or whether your partner will manage to snap a decent picture while holding your hand. That’s my job!

Memories You Can Actually Hold

Here’s the thing about the first day of school: it comes and goes in a flash. You send your little one off with their oversized backpack, take a picture at the front door, and suddenly, they’re in Grade R, Grade 5, or (gasp) high school.

The same goes for birth. It’s over before you know it, and those tiny details—the first cry, the way your partner’s hand rested on your shoulder, the expression on your face when you first saw your baby—are gone, too. Except, they don’t have to be!

With birth photography, you get to freeze those moments in time. You’ll have images to look back on, not just for yourself, but for your child to see one day. It’s the ultimate keepsake—the first chapter of their story, beautifully told.

The Easiest Decision You’ll Make

Right now, you’re already mastering the art of planning, from your prenatal vitamins to your hospital bag checklist. You’re ticking all the boxes to prepare for the day your baby enters the world. Adding a birth photographer to that list is just another way to set yourself up for success—and let’s be honest, it’ll probably feel easier than some of the things you’ll be planning later on.

Trust me, one day you’ll find yourself labeling glue sticks and pencils as if your child’s future depends on it, and you’ll thank past you for being so on top of things right from the start.

Birth photography isn’t just about photos. It’s about peace of mind, knowing you’ve planned ahead to document the beginning of their journey. Because some milestones are too important to leave to chance—or your partner’s shaky phone camera.

And unlike the first day of school, you don’t even have to pack a lunchbox for this one!