L AW R E N R O S E photography
BIRTH
&
FAMILY DOCUMENTARY INFORMATION BUNDLEBORN’S ALL-INCLUSIVE
GUIDE
CONTENTS THE ARTIST BEHIND THE LENS YOUR BIRTH SPACE IS A SACRED PLACE WHAT TO EXPECT WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU, THE CLIENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS RULES OF PHOTOJOURNALISM FAMILY ACTIVITY IDEAS YOUR PACKAGE AND UPGRADE OPTIONS DOCUMENTARY PRICING AND COLLECTIONS PRINTS AND PRODUCTS
THE ARTIST BEHIND THE LENS
I was an artist before I was a Mom. Throughout middle school and high school, I lived and breathed art. When it was time to go to college and pick your majoring subject, I first chose computer science because...
what the hell do you do with an art degree? I didn’t want to be a “starving artist” like everyone said the art majors would become. I set myself up well by being a part of a research group, taking on jobs where I helped new students learning computer science, and I even did grading for a couple of the professors. But after a year and a half in, I broke down. This was not where I was meant to be! I went against what everyone was telling me and switched back to art. After all... a job wasn’t really a “job” if you loved it, right? My calling was in drawing and painting. I eventually took other classes such as ceramics, printmaking, and sculpture. It wasn’t until the very end of my college career that I took photography classes. I had to face a lot of fears when working with film... using scissors to cut the ends of your roll in pitch black darkness was kind of creepy! Not to mention the horrible feeling of feeling like you’re in a scary movie. Hey... I’m not afraid of the dark.. I’m afraid of what’s in the dark. Between 2011 and 2016 I did side jobs here and there taking pictures for families and couples. I sort of tried starting my own business, but didn’t really have the passion
that was required to jump in and do it. I’m a major introvert! I didn’t consider myself a people-person and had a very hard time asking people to pose, hug, or kiss. You think it’s awkward for you? Pshh! Try being the person bossing you around demanding you to kiss! ha! In 2016 is where I had my epiphany. My daughter was 5 months old and a work-at-home-mom who made cloth diapers was doing a brand rep contest. The requirements: have a cute baby who wore her diapers, have a camera that wasn’t an iphone.
I did everything I could to win that spot! I really missed my art classes (still do today) so I jumped online and found different photography classes and ran into something called “family photojournalism�. I dug in and learned that there really was a way to be a good photographer and not have to awkwardly pose families! Kirsten Lewis, the photographer who started the genre also offered classes online and held in-person retreats with her friend Jenna Shouldice. I invested in myself by taking her online classes and attending a 3 day intensive retreat in Austin, Texas. There was an entire day dedicated to them working with us in-the-field and talking to us in our ears as we photographed families. Some of the things they told me continues to resonate with me today as I go into birth spaces and set up my compositions.
How did I get into Birth Photography? We were one of the rare few who hired a birth photographer for their first births. I had photographed 3 births before I had my own baby (for my sister, cousin, and friend) and I knew it was a thing... so when I found out I was pregnant I searched around to find someone who photographed births professionally. I got to witness first hand how a photographer approaches a birth space and how the images afterwards made me feel. It was utterly and completely amazing. I also became very passionate about the entire birth process and saw the importance of the mother being treated with respect. I started out seeing a traditional OB/GYN that I
always saw for check-ups. I mean... who else do you call when you find out your pregnant? We got to around 20 weeks when I finally worked up the courage to submit a request to switch providers in the same practice. The doctor I had harassed me multiple times, used scare tactics into getting me to do things I didn’t want to do, and would walk out of our appointments without even saying bye. She denied my request to switch providers, by the way. I said “So I am being forced to staying with a doctor who I don’t feel comfortable with and can’t ask basic questions to?” and they said “Where would you like your records transferred?” I had watched The Business of Being Born multiple times before this, so I knew what could go wrong with the wrong provider. I was also blessed with a very wonderful Humana nurse (a nurse through our insurance provider) who helped me make the switch to the local birth center. I was immediately treated with respect. Our appointments were an hour long and I got to choose which midwives I wanted on my team. I was definitely nervous about going a route where an epidural wasn’t an option, but the birth team I built around me helped me every step of the way. My trust in them helped me surrender to each contraction, which in return gave me a 5.5 hour labor!
Since starting my business, I have attended mostly natural births that take place outside of the hospital. There’s a reason it has happened that way! Not only have I grown
close with a local home birth midwife, I also have a huge heart for all mothers who fight for their rights in how they birth their babies. It doesn’t matter how you choose to do it, all that matters is that you were treated with respect. You deserve to have informed consent. You deserve to have the knowledge and education about your body and your baby. You shouldn’t be treated like just a number... because you aren’t just a number! When I say your birth space is a sacred place, I truly believe that. Anyone who has negative energy or bad intentions should not be allowed into your birthing space.
YOUR
BIRTH
SPACE
IS
A
SACRED
PLACE
Your birth space is a sacred place. I 100% truly believe this statement and I say it often. Since I’ve had my own natural birth experience, I recognize and acknowledge how special it is to be in a woman’s birthing space. Any amount of negative thoughts, emotions, or energy can have an enormous impact on the outcomes of your birth. Because of this, I require an in-person meeting so I can get to know you, feel your energy and vibe, and then document your birth story that most represents you.
What words would you use to describe my presence in your birth space? “Like a shy house cat. In a good way.” - Catherine M.
WHAT TO EXPECT HOW
1 2 3 4
THE
PROCESS
WORKS
FROM
START
TO
FINISH
First Meeting! It’s very important that we meet face-to-face at least once before your birthing day. I have a questionnaire I fill out so I can take notes and learn about what’s important to you. The goal for the first meeting is just to get to know you and feel your energy and vibe, which I carry with me once I am invited into your birth space. As you near the end of your pregnancy, you will have what’s called a birth team meeting. These meetings are very helpful for everyone who is planning on being at your birth. This is a great opportunity to ask any pending questions. I go on call for you at 37 weeks, which means I am available for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on weekends and holidays. If you go into labor early, I will definitely still make every effort to be there! The only reason I have the on-call timeframe is to allow myself to have somewhat of a normal life! Such as: drinking more wine than usual, planning a trip that’s hours away, etc. Because you chose an awesome midwife, you only really have to worry about updating her and your doula as you start to have labor signs. She does an incredible job at organizing the birth team (student midwife, birth assistant, doula, and myself) and letting everyone know if there’s activity going on.
5 7 8
I like to arrive when you are in or close to active labor, and how that is defined is different for everyone. Because of this, usually Teri or your doula will show up before me to let me know how you’re doing. When I arrive, I will let myself in and feel out the energy of your birth space. I listen closely and study your body language and determine if it’s okay to take pictures or if I should step out for a few minutes. Once you are in transition and your baby is getting ready to come earth-side, I position myself and get ready to capture this incredible moment the way you want it captured! I continue to stay close by to you over the next hour or so to document all these special details that will quickly be forgotten. I leave when the reast of the team leaves. Depending which package you chose, you may or may not receive sneak peek photos within 24 hours. Your full gallery of images takes between 2-4 weeks to complete. If you chose the video option and are wanting the shortened PG version, you can expect that within 4-6 weeks. The full video takes a bit more time as some can be up to 20 minutes long. You can expect the full video to be completed in about 3 months.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU, THE CLIENT As your due date approaches, you will experience different signs that your body is preparing for labor. The hardest part about our jobs is having to trust that you won’t be afraid to “bother” us when somethings going on at 2 in the morning. It’s a common theme we see with Mothers, and understandably so! However, behind every person on your birth team is another team who’s also on-call for our kiddos. For me, having advanced notice would allow me to update my husband, the school, or one of our baby sitters that they may need to pick up my daughter from school that day.
I’M CONCERNED ABOUT MODESTY During our first meeting, I will bring a questionnaire with me and fill it out as we talk. In here we will go over your birth plan and preferences. Most of my clients let me have free range over my creative process, and once they receive their final images they write down in their model release which photos they don’t want shared publicly. I don’t share any of your photos without you saying it is okay to do so.
WHAT DO I WEAR? Since I am a documentary photographer, I don’t like to direct in any way or change anything about the environment. However, I have been asked this question enough times that I should probably give the answer anyway! Honestly, wear what makes you comfortable. If you are worried about photographs, play it safe and do solids. Laboring Moms, you can wear whatever your heart desires!
WILL YOU USE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT OR A FLASH? Nope. No. No way. Okay, that is my first response! Having trained with one of the top family photojournalists in the world, I definitely do not prefer to use flash in your birth space. I want to show your story in my photos, so if the room you’re in is dark, my photos will also be dark. If for some reason the quality of the photos are suffering due to the lack of light, I will try to open window blinds or turn on a light in a nearby room. If I still find that I can’t do my job, then I will resort to using my flash. When I use it, I put it up towards the ceiling or behind me and never pointing directly at you. Using flash is my absolute last resort, and I have yet to have to use it.
WHATS BETTER, HAVING PHOTOS OR VIDEO OF MY BIRTH? There really is not one that is better than the other, and it just depends on how you want to relive your birth experience. There are some moments that are best shown in photos, and there are some moments that are best shown in video and audio. Video is essentially a motion picture with sound, so if you know in advance that you’ll be singing, humming, dancing, or swaying in labor, I usually suggest videography as a way to capture your story. I have been to births where husband and wife joked around in between contractions, and where the husband said the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard to his wife in labor... those I wish would have been video. And then I’ve also had video where a still photograph would have be just perfect. But remember, no matter which one you choose, you will not have regrets! They are both equally amazing!
WHAT IF YOU MISS THE BIRTH? If you keep me as updated as possible, the likelihood if me not making it is extremely low. Of course, there is always a risk! It’s birth, and birth is unpredictable. If you’ve contacted me and I’ve already left, but was only minutes late because your labor went lightening fast... we embrace that part of your story and I continue to document what I can through the golden hour and postpartum period. In the past I have stayed about 6 hours in total as the family set up an herbal bath. If you call me and I can’t make it that day for any reason, I have 3 other back up birth photographers on standby ready to replace me.
RULES
OF
PHOTOJOURNALISM
Many people get documentary photography confused with lifestyle photography, a style that is becoming popular. Sometimes the photos you get can look very similar, but the approach to getting those photos are on opposite ends of the world. The approach I take is the same as a family photojournalist would... and since there are rules to photojournalism, I think it’s important you know what they are so you know what to expect when hiring me.
1. DO NOT CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT IN ANY WAY.
2. DON’T OVERLY CROP. DON’T OVERLY EDIT.
3. GET CLOSE.
When I am photographing you for your family session, I do not change anything at all. This includes: what you’re wearing, what’s in your house, the location in which you are standing/sitting, the lighting in the room, etc. I move myself around in order to get the picture I’m wanting, so I make zero requests from you. I also won’t ask you to repeat a moment again. If I miss it, I miss it... I will wait for it to happen again.
While I’m watching you through my lens, I make sure everything in the frame is exactly the way I want the finished image to be. When it comes time to sit down and edit your photos, I won’t crop the photos to make them anything it wasn’t originally intended to be. I also don’t heavily edit to make the scene look like something it wasn’t or to remove something distracting. The photos you receive are real and raw, and truly of your life.
When you look at my photos years from now, I want it to feel like you were there. In order for it to feel like you’re right there, I have to actually be right there next to you taking the photo. For the duration of your session, I will become a part of your family and get close from time to time. If you’re going swimming, I’m going swimming too! If you’re cuddling in bed with your children, I just may be on your bed too!
FAMILY
ACTIVITY
IDEAS
Sometimes planning activities is the best way to get you and your family to relax! If you are focused on something else, then you may forget my camera is around. Here’s a short list of activities you can do! Keep in mind to not pick too many activities for 1 session and to make sure some are at least a part of your normal routine. The more out-of-the-ordinary your session is, the more your kids might act a little cray-cray!
Flying Kites Pinwheels Frisbee Bubbles Water Balloons/Guns Swimming Playing in Sprinklers Football Basketball Jump Rope Hoola-hoop Fishing Roller Skating Sidewalk Chalk Silly String Finger/Face Painting Hopscotch Riding Bikes/Skateboards Reading Books Eating Popsicles, Ice Cream, or Frozen Yogurt
Family Game Night Tug of War Apple Picking Pumpkin Patch Picnic in the Park Beach or lake Local Festival or Carnival Amusement Park Gymnastics Class Baking or Cooking PB & J Sandwiches Food Fight Drinking Hot Cocoa Camping Building a Snowman Snowball Fight Christmas Tree Cutting Cooking Decorating Pumpkin Carving Trick-or-treating
DOCUMENTING YOUR BIRTH Every package includes an in-personal consultation, attendance to your birth team meeting, documentation of your labor, birth, and 2-3 hours postpartum, and a print/ product ordering meeting post-birth if necessary. On-call starting at 37 weeks and will remain 100% available 24/7 until your baby is born.
BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY 75-300 high-resolution images formatted and sized for printing up to 11x14. 5-10 sneak peek images within 24 hours after birth for social media announcement. Online gallery for viewing and downloading your images. $50 gift card to use on prints, products or other sessions.
UPGRADE
OPTIONS
VIDEO FUSION $275 + TAX Add on a slideshow of your favorite photographs set to awesome music. The slideshow will also contain very short video clips taken from your labor, birth, and postpartum period. *option must be purchased in advance
BIRTH VIDEOGRAPHY 13-19 minute full length film of your labor, birth, and postpartum period. Final video is edited together in a cinematic style layered with music and audio from the scene. Optional: A shorter PG version of your video made for social media and sharing.
UPGRADE
OPTIONS
FULL GALLERY DIGITAL IMAGES $650 + TAX
Get the best of both worlds by choosing both a full video and full set of photos. When upgrading this package, you will also receive 50-250 high-resolution digital images and a print release for your images.
DOCUMENTING YOUR BABY Because you are an awesome client of BundleBorn Midwifery, you can add on a Documentary Maternity session or a Documentary Newborn session at a special rate
2 HOURS $350 + TAX
4 HOURS $600 + TAX
6 HOURS
No session fee, no digital files left out, no gimmicks! You pay 1 price and get your photos! - An in-personal consultation if requested. - Around 50-175 high-resolution digital files per 2 hours. - Photographic coverage for the length of time you choose. - In-person print and product ordering meeting if necessary.
$850 + TAX
SIGNATURE PHOTO ALBUM These are not your typical photo albums where you insert your 4 x 6 photos from your childhood... these are high quality panorama photo albums with thick lay-flat pages. Images can print across the center with a seamless appearance. Customization options are endless! You can choose between 18 different leather cover options, 16 linen cover options, and even acrylic, wood, or metal cover. Other customizations include etched leather patterns, front cover cameo cut-outs, debossing or foil-stamping personalization, and simply adding additional spreads. These signature photo albums are perfect for showing your full story since you don’t have to pick just 1 or 2 photos to print. You can use them for maternity, birth, newborn, a fun family day, or all of the above!
SIZE & PRICE The price of each album includes 10 spreads (20 pages) and all customization options except for acrylic, wood, or metal cover and adding additional spreads. 9 X 6......$445 + TAX 8 X 8......$475 + TAX 10 X 10....$595 + TAX 12 X 8.....$675 + TAX 2 X 12.....$745 + TAX
FINE ART PRINTS
The best quality printing on high-quality lustre photographic paper. I’ve ordered prints for a variety of companies and found one I feel is far superior than all the others.
SIZE & PRICE
Each print is mounted on acid-free white mat board with foam board backing, ready to frame! FITS A 12 X 16 FRAME...$40 + TAX PACK OF 3........$96 + TAX FITS A 16 X 20 FRAME...$55 + TAX PACK OF 3........$132 + TAX
SIZE & PRICE High Quality Prints of your choice on lustre photo paper, all printed with a 1/4 white border. 4 4 5 5
X X X X
6 6 7 7
(50)......$45 (100).....$80 (30)......$40 (50)......$60
+ + + +
TAX TAX TAX TAX
“Nothing
is
more
beautiful -Lawren
than
All Rights Reserved. © Lawren Rose Photography 2017 Serving Dallas/Fort Worth and Surrounding Areas www.lawrenrosephotography.com
real
life.”