Birth & Fresh 48 Photography- Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

{ Why should you hire a birth photographer? }

Because the day your baby enters the world is one of the most life-altering, soul-stirring days you will ever experience – and it deserves to be remembered.

In the swirl of contractions, hospital monitors, whispered prayers, and held hands, time becomes a blur. You won’t remember every detail. You’re not supposed to – you’re busy doing the most powerful thing a human can do: bringing life into the world. A birth photographer is there to gently and respectfully preserve the story as it unfolds. The strength in your eyes. The way your partner looks at you, in awe. The tiny hands reaching for you for the very first time. That raw, beautiful first cry.

Think about your baby’s very first breath – and imagine having it frozen in time, not on a blurry phone photo, but through images that speak of courage, connection, and unconditional love. It’s not just about taking pictures – it’s about telling your story.

A mother once told me, “I didn’t even know how much I needed those photos until I saw them.” Another whispered through tears, “I missed so much in the moment, but now I get to relive it – and show my daughter one day how deeply she was loved from the very beginning.”

Hiring a birth photographer is choosing to honour your journey. To celebrate the transformation of not just a child being born – but a mother, a father, a family. These memories deserve more than a passing glance – they deserve to be treasured, shared, and remembered forever.

 

{ What exactly do you photograph? }

Birth is an incredibly sacred, intimate, and personal experience – and I wholeheartedly honour that.

Every family is different, and so are their preferences when it comes to what they feel comfortable having photographed. Some parents prefer modest, above-the-waist images with minimal exposure, while others wish to capture every raw and powerful moment, including crowning and delivery. Whatever your wishes, please know that I will respect them completely.

We’ll have a pre-birth consultation where we’ll talk through your expectations, boundaries, and hopes for your birth story. This is your space, your story, and your comfort always comes first. You can take comfort in knowing that I approach every birth with sensitivity, professionalism, and deep respect. Nothing you ask will ever surprise me – I’ve seen it all, and my goal is simply to preserve your experience in a way that feels authentic and right for you.

On the day, I work quietly and intuitively so that you can focus on what matters most—welcoming your baby into the world—while I gently document the moments you’ll want to remember forever. And if anything feels uncertain or overwhelming, I’m always here to listen. I’m with you every step of the way.

 

 

{ What is a birth story video? }

A birth story is a slide show with your images and short video clips with beautiful licensed music.  I use licensed music of my creative choosing. You may request your own songs at an additional cost or you can provide me with your own song if you have the license to use it. You can watch an example of a birth story on my Instagram HERE.

{ I am concerned about my privacy. What do you share online? }

Your privacy is incredibly important to me, and I want you to feel completely at ease with what is shared from your birth experience.

As your birth photographer, I will never share any images without your consent. The only exception may be completely unidentifiable images, such as hands holding, heart rate monitors, newborn feet, or the baby exiting during a C-section (as babies often look quite different in that moment before being cleaned). These images are always chosen carefully, and I ensure they are respectful.

If you do feel comfortable allowing me to share your birth story, I will always ensure that no personal or health information, such as hospital arm bands or medical charts, is visible unless it is blurred or cropped out. I will also never share any explicit nudity. My goal is always to keep things tasteful, professional, and aligned with your wishes.

That said, I truly appreciate it when clients allow me to share your story, as it helps my small business grow. But please know, your comfort and privacy are my top priority, and you are welcome to decide what feels right for you.

Thank you for considering this, and for allowing me to be part of such a special and personal experience.

 

 

{Why can’t my birth partner or pediatrician take the photos?}

I absolutely understand that you want to capture every precious moment, but having your husband or birth partner focus on photos can take them out of the moment and distract them from their role as your emotional support. Birth is such a profound experience, and your partner’s primary focus should be on being there for you, supporting you, and sharing in the joy of welcoming your baby into the world – without the added pressure of trying to capture every shot.

The same goes for medical staff – they are there to ensure your safety and well-being, and while they may snap a few photos here and there, their priority will always be your health and the delivery process. It’s a delicate balance between focusing on the birth and trying to take the perfect shot, and that’s where I come in.

As a professional birth photographer, my role is to capture those beautiful, raw moments with the experience and skill to handle it all, while allowing your partner to stay fully present with you. This allows everyone to focus on what truly matters: the birth of your child, the emotions, and the connections that will become lifelong memories.

With me there to document your story, you and your partner can experience the birth without the distraction of a phone or camera, and you can be sure that every tender, important moment will be captured with care and expertise.

 

 

{ My husband is not sure how he feels about birth photography.}

I completely understand, and I want to reassure both of you that birth photography is very different from a traditional photoshoot. It’s more about quietly documenting the real, raw moments of love, support, and connection as they unfold during your birth – no posed and “smile for the camera” moments are expected. I make it a priority to work around my clients’ comfort, and I won’t direct your husband or disrupt his experience. My goal is to capture genuine moments without interrupting the flow of your birth, allowing him to be fully present and focused on supporting you.

To help put your husband at ease, I offer a pre-birth consultation where we can have a relaxed chat over coffee. This gives us a chance to get to know each other, and for him to ask any questions or express concerns about the process. It’s a great way to build trust and comfort before the big day. Many dads feel unsure about birth photography at first, but after seeing the images, they’ve all expressed how meaningful it was to have those moments captured. Every dad I’ve worked with has thanked me for documenting such a special time in a way that they could look back on forever. Your husband will be able to fully focus on you, and I’ll quietly capture the moments that matter most, all while respecting his space and preferences.

{ Are you a registered birth photographer? }

Yes, I am a professionally registered and licensed birth photographer with the South African Birth Photographers Association (SABPA), and I have nearly 7 years of experience in this specialized field.

Being a registered member of SABPA is something I take great pride in. As part of my registration, I adhere to a strict Code of Conduct that includes following hospital protocols and understanding what is permitted and what is not during a birth. This ensures that I can work seamlessly within the birth environment while respecting both medical staff and your family’s wishes.

It’s crucial to hire a SABPA-registered birth photographer because many hospitals and doctors now only allow registered photographers to be present during a birth. This is due to concerns that non-registered photographers may not be familiar with hospital guidelines or may cause disruptions during the delivery. Choosing a SABPA-certified photographer ensures that you have a professional who is not only skilled but also knows how to respect the boundaries of your birth space.

{ How early can I book you and what is your availability? }

You can book me as soon as you discussed it with your healthcare professional. You doctor/midwife and hospital need to approve my presence at the birth before you can complete and confirm the booking. If you are interested in booking a birth photography package I will send you the permission forms that need to be completed by your healthcare professional and hospital.

Please note that not all healthcare providers and hospitals approve of having birth photographers present – we are working on these professional relationships and hope to be welcomed into all hospitals in the near future. State hospitals do NOT allow it at all.

Once you have the green light from your doctor/midwife and hospital, we can finalize the booking process. I only commit to 2 – 3 births per month to ensure that every birth client is treated as a VIP in this very specialized field of photography.  Please ensure that you book in time.

 

{ Do you provide payment plans for birth packages? }

Yes I do! Have a chat with me and I will guide you through it. I make it as affordable as possible to pay off your photography package. The sooner you start, the smaller your monthly instalments will be.

{ What if I don’t look good in the photos? }

I want to reassure you that there’s absolutely no need to worry about how you look. Birth photography is about capturing the raw, authentic moments of your journey – not a glamorous photoshoot. It’s unscripted, real, and filled with emotions that make the experience truly special.

You don’t need to look a certain way or try to be anything other than yourself. The beauty of birth photography lies in the honesty of the moment – the way you look at your baby for the first time, the way your partner holds your hand, the quiet tears of joy, and the unspoken connection between you all. Those are the moments that matter the most, and they are what make your story beautiful, no matter what.

This isn’t about posing or perfection – it’s about documenting a deeply personal and transformative experience. The rawness and authenticity of those moments are what make them so precious, and they’ll become timeless memories that you’ll cherish forever. You’re beautiful just as you are in those moments, and those images will reflect the love, strength, and joy of the day.

 

 

{ What is a birth session with you like? }

A birth session with me is calm, uninterrupted, and captured in a natural, photojournalistic style. My goal is to be as unobtrusive as possible – working quietly and respectfully in the background to document your birth experience with minimal disruption.

As a mother myself, I understand the importance of creating a safe, supportive birth space. I approach each session with empathy and respect, prioritizing both the emotional needs of the parents and the healthcare professionals involved. My focus is on documenting the powerful, intimate moments that define the experience for the parents, allowing them to fully embrace the journey while I quietly capture the story unfolding. 

I have a reputation for being very patient – please don’t ever feel like you need to rush through your birth – I am here for your every step of the way. No matter if you need an ear to listen when you are have a hard time, a friendly face to chat to and pass the time or simply a fellow mother to hold space. I am here for you.

You can trust that I will always approach your birth with care, professionalism, and a deep understanding of how meaningful this moment is for you and your family.

 

 

{ What should we wear for the Fresh 48 photo session? }

Wear clothes that you are comfortable in. A lovely night gown works really well. It is great when mom and dad wear complementing colours and try stay away from shirts with text or bold print on. You are welcome to wrap baby up in pretty wraps or blankets and add beanies and bows. Please do keep in mind that we want to photograph those little hands and feet, therefore dress baby in baby grows or pants with open feet.

Mom, you are still in hospital, don’t stress too much about what you look like. These are beautiful raw first moments of your baby’s life. You might feel differently in the moment, but in years to come you will treasure these special photographs together.

 

{ Can I bring props for the Fresh 48? }

Yes! You are welcome to and it helps tell your baby’s story even better, as long as you keep it simple and not too over the top. A lovely wrap for baby and a special little teddy bear is always nice to photograph. I also have a message board that I can bring with on request.

 

{ What is the best day and time for a Fresh 48? }

Fresh 48 sessions are generally held within the first 48 hours from when baby is born. I find that the next day  after the birth works best since mom had a rest and baby is bathed. We can discuss when would work best for you both.

Best time all depends on when baby is bathed and fed. It is best to feed baby right before the session and make sure his/her tummy is nice and full.

 

{ Can I have your RAW files with the edited ones? }

I completely understand the desire to have all the images from your session, but as a professional photographer, I do not provide RAW files. RAW files are unprocessed images that require special computer programs to open and edit. They are not simply unedited photos – they contain all the data from the camera’s sensor, which means they appear flat, underexposed, or overexposed without proper processing.

The reason I don’t provide RAW files is because they don’t represent the final product that I carefully craft for you. The editing process is an essential part of my work, where I adjust colors, exposure, contrast, and fine-tune the images to match my unique style. RAW files, without this editing, do not showcase the quality and vision I aim to deliver.

Additionally, providing unedited images opens up the possibility of others manipulating the photos without my consent. This can distort the intended look of the images, which could mislead potential clients or misrepresent my work.

By delivering only the fully edited, final images, I ensure that you receive photographs that reflect the time, artistry, and professional standards I put into each session. This also protects the integrity of my work, ensuring it’s seen exactly as intended.

 

 

{ When will I receive my images? }

You will receive your high resolution, hand edited images as well as your beautifully created birth story video between 5-8 weeks of your baby’s birth. I do, however, try my best to get your special moments to you as soon as possible, because as a mom myself, I know how special and exciting it is.

But! You will receive a birth announcement photo (which will include your baby’s weight, length, date and time of birth) as well as 2 or 3 edited, preview images within 24 hours of your baby’s birth  to share with your family and friends. 

 

{ Are travel, accommodation and postage worked into my packages or are they calculated separately? }

They are calculated separately and are not included in the package fee.
The first 20km from Buh-Rein Estate, Northern Suburbs, is included in every photo package and the additional travel costs are charged at R4.50 per km for 2025 onwards.

Delivery is charged at cost.

If the location is over an hour and a half’s drive from Buh-Rein Estate, and the photo session is expected to start quite early, or end quite late, then reasonable overnight accommodation will be charged at cost.

 

{ I have another question not covered here… }

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have! I love to chat 🙂