Lane B Photography
THE REASON It started with a roll of black and white film, the smell of the darkroom, and the excitement of seeing each photo develop in the chemicals right before my eyes. I fell in love with photography in 2000, started studying at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2007 and began my professional career in 2010. I am driven by my memories; above everything else my photos and keepsakes are my most valuable possessions. I can see a photo from my childhood and immediately remember the way the air smelled or how I felt when it was taken. The preservation of these memories is what led me to photography and what drives me to capture life’s most precious moments for my clients. I have an eye for seeing the little moments that would’ve otherwise been forgotten—the way a mother rubs her cheek against her new baby’s hair, the loving gaze of a father watching his children play in the grass, the look of relief when parents hear their baby’s first cry. These fleeting moments are what make each story, each relationship, so unique and personal. Relationships are everything to me. As the daughter of an Air Force chaplain, I grew up all around the U.S. which meant “home” was wherever we were stationed. Moving around the country, I learned the importance of close family relationships which plays a huge role in how I photograph families and couples. My husband and I are high school sweethearts and the very best of friends. We have fully embraced the southern life, spending countless hours sitting on our porch swing watching our girls play and taking long walks in the evening. I wholeheartedly believe in living simply, taking care of the earth, and building deep, meaningful relationships.
-Elaine
THE ART OF BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY MY PHILOSOPHY Birth photography is pure photojournalism. No posing or directing, just capturing the day from start to finish and allowing your loved ones to be a part of the story rather than behind the camera. I am able to capture photos that show the complete story – the family waiting in the waiting room, the strength of a mother as she labors, the clock the minute the baby is born and all their little details. I often hear mothers say they had no idea I was taking photos or that I was able to capture such intimate moments without being noticed.
THE PROCESS BOOKING I recommend contacting me as soon as you know you are pregnant. I don’t accept deposits until you are 12 weeks along, but will gladly pencil you in until the time comes. It is important for us to schedule a time to meet in person, so we can discuss all the details of what to expect along with the legal side of things.
DURING YOUR PREGNANCY Anytime you have a checkup or have new information to tell me about the pregnancy shoot me a message or give me a call so I have all the information going into the birth. I ask that you speak to your partner and provider to ensure that everyone is on the same page about having me attend and photograph the birth. If you choose to have a doula I also like to meet with them or speak to them prior to the birth so we can all work together well when the time comes.
LABOR & DELIVERY When you feel like you are beginning to experience the pains of labor, contact me even if it’s in the middle of the night. Every mother is different so when you contact me I will ask how far apart your contractions are, how long are they lasting and how long have you been contracting regularly. Once you are at your birthing location I will ask about your dilation and the birth plan from your provider. Based on all of this information, as well as your previous birth experiences (if applicable), I generally try to arrive when you are 5cm. I recommend having your birth partner update me as labor progresses since you will be occupied. Please notify the nurses that you are expecting me and that I should be permitted to come back. When I photograph a birth the goal is to capture the whole story from start to finish while being tasteful with avoiding nudity and gory or unflattering angles. Sometimes this isn’t possible, especially if a mother chooses to labor without clothes on. Every mother labors differently and some mothers choose to have all the lights off. Just know, that if you turn the lights off the photos will have a grainy look and I may not be able to capture certain details. However, I am very capable of capturing beautiful birth photos even in low light conditions.
BEST. DECISION. EVER. “Elaine documented the birth of our first child, and it was one of the best decisions my husband and I made about that day. It can be nerve wracking to invite someone unfamiliar to attend such a personal and private event, but Elaine was professional, respectful, and encouraging during the entire process. I’m grateful that she wanted to capture those unforgettable moments of the day that changed our lives.” -A B BY
PROCEDURES, CESAREAN SECTION & NICU While you are in labor or delivering the baby, should you or the baby need any procedure (epidural, forceps, vacuum, etc.), I will stop photographing. Occasionally I will have to leave the room due to policy, but as soon as the procedure is finished I can resume documenting. I have no say in what I am allowed to photograph or where I am allowed to be during your labor and delivery. YOU are my only voice.
This is especially important in the event of a c-section or if the baby needs to go to the NICU. I have plenty of experience in the operating room and NICU and know the rules well, but if you do not advocate for me to be in room there is nothing I can do. It is best to discuss this with your provider in the appointments leading up to your delivery so they understand your wishes well in advance.
PROFESSIONAL, PERSONAL “[Elaine] visited with our family, but stepped back out of the way when necessary, still snapping away. She was never in the way and was very professional in the OR. She followed hospital protocol and only took pictures when it was appropriate. She captured our son’s birth in a way that I will hold close to my heart forever. [My husband] said hands down a birth photographer is way better than having newborn pictures done. I have to agree! Looking through the pictures takes me back to one of the best days of my life. I can relive those feelings any time I want now. She did a great job of capturing our day.” - ASHLEY
A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE I’m passionate about empowering women to have the birth experience they desire. Whether that takes place in the hospital, birthing center or the comfort of their own home — birth does not have to be an experience that is feared. My photos display the amazing strength and selflessness of women as they bring new life into the world.
THE INVESTMENT A photo session with me is an investment in memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. When planning your session I encourage you to think about your home ahead of time and plan where you want to hang your new artwork. They will be heirlooms that get passed down from generation to generation. Unfortunately in this day and age most people have thousands of photos on their phones or computers but very few that are actually printed, in albums or hanging on the wall. Invest in heirlooms and tangible keepsakes. Every time I am able to make it to my parent’s house, I take time to go through our family photo albums and specifically their wedding album. These memories for me are absolutely priceless. My parents have no digital copies of the photos of their wedding day, just a large leather album of all the photos from the day. We love sitting on the couch and looking through them together, it’s one of their most prized possessions.
MORE SESSION STYLES LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY My brand of photography is a mixture of portraiture and photo journalism—capturing real life as it is happening. Sometimes that means lots of smiles and cuddles and other times it means toddlers throwing tantrums and making messes. I thrive on capturing the true story; the one that isn’t scripted. It’s important to me that I capture true authentic emotion, but some of us (like me!) need a little help to feel comfortable in front of the camera. I offer as much or as little direction as you need to allow you to relax and be yourself during our session. For children I will gladly make obnoxious noises, talk about their favorite cartoons and overall act like a buffoon. Chances are you will laugh almost as much as they will.
FRESH 48 A unique way of remembering all the first moments at the hospital within the first 24-48 hours after the baby is born. I spend an hour documenting the new family and all the tiny details that change so quickly in the first few days. This is also a great time to photograph siblings or grandparents meeting the baby for the first time.
NEWBORN These lifestyle sessions take place in the comfort of your home when the baby is 4-14 days old. I spend 1-2 hours documenting your new life with the baby—feeding, changing, and lots of cuddling! Newborns can be really unpredictable so don’t stress about perfect outfits or having the house spotless, just open the blinds and let me do the rest.
MATERNITY This is a great way to document your growing belly and your life before he/she arrives. The session can take place in your home or at your favorite location when you are 30-34 weeks pregnant. You can bring your partner along or plan a solo session, whatever fits your personality.
DAY IN THE LIFE A full 8 hours capturing everyday life in your home and around town. These sessions capture the heart and soul of your family or workplace highlighting the little details that usually go unnoticed. From the first sleepy yawns in the morning, to cooking dinner, picking up kids from school and bedtime stories, I document your story completely unscripted.
PORTRAIT Ideal for couples, seniors, families, or children, the session can take place on location or in the comfort of your home.
Lane B Photography
ELAINE BACA w w w. L A N E B P H OTO G R A P H Y. c o m (210) 381-6718 @lanebphotography
AND
/LaneBPhotography