Hospital policies vary, so we always recommend checking with your specific hospital ahead of time. Some hospitals allow birth photographers as an additional support person, while others have specific policies regarding photography during labor and delivery.

We’re happy to help you figure out what questions to ask your hospital so you know what to expect before your birth.

Inductions are something we photograph all the time! An induction can look very different from one birth to another, and we’ll be there to document your experience as it unfolds.

Once you’re admitted and labor begins to progress, we’ll stay in communication with you and your support team so we know when it’s time for us to join you.

We photograph C-sections, including both planned and unplanned C-sections, whenever the hospital and your care team allow photography in the operating room.

If photography isn't permitted in the OR, we can still document the parts of your story that we are able to photograph... including the moments leading up to surgery, your partner's experience, baby's first moments outside the OR, and your first moments together.

Every situation is a little different, and we'll work within your hospital's policies and your care team's instructions.

Babies don't always follow the timeline we imagined... and that's okay!

Because The Arrival Collective is made up of two photographers who share on-call coverage, one of us is available when your baby decides it's time. Once you let us know that labor is progressing, we'll stay in communication with you and make our way to you as quickly as possible.

We can't control how quickly a baby arrives, but we'll do everything we can to be there for the moments that matter.

That's birth! Things can change quickly, and your birth story doesn't have to go exactly as planned for it to be worth documenting.

Whether your labor takes an unexpected turn, you need a C-section, you change locations, or your plans simply evolve as you go, we'll be there to document the birth you actually experience... without judgment or expectations.

Our job is to tell your story, not to make it fit a particular plan.

We want you to be able to look back at your photographs and feel comfortable with what you're seeing, so we are very intentional about what we photograph.

We don't focus on graphic or overly medical imagery. We may photograph parts of the delivery that show what was happening, but we use our judgment and your preferences to keep those images respectful and true to the experience.

If there are specific things you do or don't want photographed, we're always happy to talk about that with you ahead of time.

Yes! (If you'd like us to.)

Those first moments of feeding can be an incredibly meaningful part of your baby's first hours, and we're happy to document them naturally and respectfully.

We won't assume that breastfeeding will be part of your birth story, though. Whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, formula feeding, combination feeding, or simply soaking in those first moments with your baby, we'll follow your lead.

Our preference is to photograph births using available light whenever possible. We want to keep our presence as unobtrusive as we can, especially during labor and those quiet first moments with your baby.

If the lighting conditions require it, we may use flash when appropriate. If you have a preference for no flash during your birth, you can always let us know ahead of time and we'll make note of that in your birth preferences. We'll always be mindful of the environment and your care team's instructions.

Nope... that's the goal.

We take a very hands-off, documentary approach to birth photography. We're there to observe and document what's happening rather than direct you, pose you, or interrupt the moment.

You'll probably forget we're even there at times. We'll move around when we need to, but we're very intentional about giving you, your partner, your support team, and your medical team the space to do what they need to do.

Absolutely. Your birth isn't just about the moment your baby arrives... it's also about the people who were there with you.

We'll photograph your partner, family members, doula, and other support people as they're naturally involved in your birth. Those interactions, reactions, and little moments between people can become some of the most meaningful images in your gallery.

We'll always follow your lead on who you'd like included.

If your baby needs additional care after birth, we'll do our best to continue documenting your story within the hospital's policies and your baby's medical needs.

Depending on the circumstances, that may include photographs of your baby in the NICU, your partner meeting your baby there, you seeing your baby for the first time, or the moments surrounding your baby's transfer.

We will always prioritize your baby's care and follow the instructions of the medical team. If photography isn't permitted in the NICU, we'll focus on the parts of your story that we can document.

There isn't one specific time that's too early or too late to reach out!

Because we provide on-call coverage around your due date, we only take a limited number of birth clients each month. Reaching out earlier gives us the best chance of having availability around your due date, but if you're already well into your pregnancy, please still reach out.

If we have room on our calendar, we'd love to talk with you.

This is one of the biggest reasons we work as a team.

The Arrival Collective is made up of two photographers who share on-call coverage for every birth client. We communicate throughout your pregnancy and keep each other updated as your due date approaches.

When you go into labor, one of us will be there to photograph your birth. You don't have to worry about whether your photographer is available that particular day... that's what having two of us allows for.

Yes! We are happy to photograph home births.

The same documentary approach applies wherever you give birth. We'll work within your space, follow the lead of your birth team, and document your experience as naturally and unobtrusively as possible.

If you're planning a home birth, let us know when you inquire so we can talk through the logistics with you.

Yes!

We are happy to document planned C-sections when photography is permitted by your hospital and care team. Depending on the hospital's policies, this may include photographs before surgery, in the operating room, and your first moments together afterward.

Because every hospital has different rules around photography in the OR, we'll help you figure out what is permitted ahead of time so there are no surprises.