Let me just start with this: if you’ve hired a birth photographer, congratulations—you are officially one of my favorite kinds of people. You’ve decided that this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime story is worth documenting, and that’s something I don’t take lightly.

But if this is your first baby (or your first time hiring a birth photographer), you might be asking yourself one of the most common and slightly stressful questions:


"WHEN am I supposed to call you?"


"When do I pick up the phone and tell you something’s happening?" Because birth is not exactly known for sticking to the plan.

So, let’s clear this up once and for all—with a sprinkle of humour and a lot of love.


First things first: You’re never bothering me.

Seriously. You won’t get a gold star for waiting until your contractions are three minutes apart and you’re about to give birth in the car. If you’re wondering whether to message me, the answer is almost always yes.

Even if you’re just feeling a little... weird. Even if it’s just a random checkup. Even if you had spicy curry and now you’re suspicious. Message me!


So, when should you actually call?

Ah yes, the call vs message dilemma. Let me make it easy:

Middle of the night? Please call.

I repeat: CALL.

I am many things—photographer, mom, snack-fetcher, bedtime negotiator—but I am not a professional message-ping detector at 3am. If you think things are picking up while the world sleeps, don’t send a quiet little WhatsApp and hope for the best. Call me. Wake me up. I promise I won’t be grumpy (unless you hang up and then text “never mind,” in which case, we need to talk).


When to message during the day:

Daytime is fair game for all the small updates. Some examples:

  • You had an unexpected check-up.
  • Your midwife said something interesting.
  • You lost your mucus plug (TMI doesn’t exist in this job).
  • You’re feeling crampy, antsy, or just plain off.


Even if it doesn’t mean go time, these little breadcrumbs help me get mentally (and logistically) prepped. It’s like a little heads-up to maybe not start a deep-clean of the pantry or bake sourdough that takes 12 hours.


Let’s talk about why communication matters.

Here’s the behind-the-scenes scoop:

I'm a mom too. Which means every time I pack my gear and rush out the door, there's a whole ripple effect of babysitters, pre-packed lunches, and sometimes whispered bribes involving marshmallows. I love this job—it is one of the deepest honours of my life—but I can only show up fully (and on time) when we’re in sync.

Communication is how we make that happen.

When you keep me in the loop, I can be organized. And being organized is how I get to you before the baby does.


Here's your cheat sheet.

  • Middle of the night and you think it might be happening? CALL.
  • Unexpected appointment? Message me.
  • Any signs of labour, even subtle? Message me.
  • Feeling anxious and want to chat it through? Please, message me.
  • Waters broke? Call me.
  • You don’t know if it’s real? That’s okay. Still reach out.


Birth is unpredictable, but communication doesn’t have to be.


So no, you’re never too early. You’re never annoying. You’re never being dramatic. You’re just doing what every thoughtful parent does—trying to give your baby the story they deserve. And I’m here for all of it.