I wanted to take the time to address some of the big questions I get about birth photography, both from expectant mothers, and from the (non-expectant) people that I mention birth photography to.

• Why would I want pictures from my child’s birth?

Well, in my mind the real question is why wouldn’t you want pictures of your child’s birth…but I suppose some might need convincing. Childbirth, as anyone who has experienced it knows, such an emotional event, no matter how many times you’ve done it. The idea of carrying a life inside of you for 9 months, nurturing and caring for yourself so that you can in turn nurture and care for this new life, and then meeting that life for the first time is a truly remarkable feat. No matter how much technology and 3D imaging the tech world develops, nothing can compare to meeting and holding your child for the very first time. Seeing their little eyes look up at you, greeting you for the first time is difficult to describe in words. However, the details of those memories can quickly fade after long, sleepless nights, dirty diapers, and growth over the years. What better way to preserve them forever than with professional, documentary style portraits?

• Can’t my husband/partner/sister/friend/mom just take pictures of my baby’s birth?

Sure. But if you’ve invited them to be in the room when your baby comes into the world, chances are they’re a pretty important person in your life. Which means you’d probably like to have them there to support you and love on you during your laboring, instead of making them have the job of having a camera in front of their face. Furthermore, chances are, the person you ask to take those pictures knows you and loves you too, which could inhibit their ability to be discreet. This person may be more likely to stick a camera in your face and say “SMILE” in the middle of a heavy contraction. Ok, maybe not. But you get the idea. A professional is just that…they know how to stay out of the way of the hospital staff and your friends and family members.

• Do you take pictures of the baby actually coming out?

Only if that is something that you want. If you hire me to be your birth photographer, I have a list of questions to ask you to help you decide just how much of the birth you’d like to see in pictures. During our consult, I’ll get an idea of just what you’d like to see in your images. There are many ways to capture the feeling and intensity of the moment without invading your privacy with my camera. However, if during your consult you express a desire to see everything, then everything you shall have. The power is in your hands!

• What do I get when I pay for birth photography, and what’s included in my package?

The price of birth photography includes my time (which varies with every woman, and includes on call time around your due date), and an album of your images. The base album that is included is a storybook album, but you have the option to upgrade. Samples are available at your consultation.

When you contract me to photograph your birth, I am literally on call for a total of 3 weeks surrounding your due date; 2 weeks before, and 1 week after. That means that I’m very careful about what I schedule during those 3 weeks. I don’t do anything that I can’t leave in an instant, and I don’t travel more than 30 minutes outside of the city. Once your labor begins, I’m around for the duration of your labor as well as 2 hours afterwards. I will take breaks, but only when I’m sure that I won’t miss anything. The hours after the birth are devoted to your baby. It usually is enough time to cover the baby getting cleaned up, measured, weighed, eating their first meal, and having their first bath.

Once your images are edited, you’ll have an in-home viewing session. I know what it’s like to have a new baby, and I certainly won’t expect you to be going anywhere. At that time, you’ll be able to pick your images for your album, I’ll create it and order it, and you’ll have it for a lifetime.

• Won’t having one more pair of eyes on me during delivery make me uncomfortable? (Ok, no one has ever asked that, but I know they’re thinking it!)

Maybe at first. But once your labor starts progressing, you won’t even know I’m in the room. I stay as far away as possible, to ensure the safety of you and your baby.  My goal is to take a completely documentary approach to your birth. It’s your show, and I just watch, and capture all the love for you to remember for a lifetime.

If you have any other questions about birth photography that I didn’t cover here, please be sure to leave a comment or message me! I’d be thrilled to  talk with you about your birth, and answer any other questions you may have. I’ll leave you with this sweet shot I got of this brand new girl and her daddy at the hospital the other day.

After several facebook chat conversations, I shared an idea that had kind of been forming in the back of my mind.  A commercial for Lamb Photography Company.  I don’t really do much advertising, but my “about me” page just didn’t quite measure up to what I wanted people who didn’t know me to see about me.  So, Kyle came along on this past weekend’s engagement shoot in Denver and did another amazing job.

So, thanks to Kyle Koziol of Kozi Visuals, I give you the Lamb Photography Company commercial.  That’s right, a commercial. For me. I feel VERY proud.  And, I think you can probably guess who I’d recommend if you were looking for an amazing videographer for your wedding or event.  Click on the link below to watch it!

The Commercial!

Huge thanks to Anna and Tim, who you’ll see more of when I blog their engagement shoot.  And of course, to Kyle for being so inspirational, and helping me keep my cool.  I really spend all my time behind the camera, so this whole idea was kind of unnerving for me.  During the part where I was shooting Anna and Tim, I didn’t even know he was there.  See? I told you he was quality.  :)

FIRST!

I’m heading southwest to Durango for the weekend of April 29th and will be offering 5 Mini Sessions on a first-come, first-served basis!  The Mini-Sessions are $75.  All the details are below!  I would say book now for the best spot, but they’re all good spots.  Come on, it’s Durango!  But you should hurry…this is an awesome deal, and with only 5 spots, they’re sure to go fast!

Second!

I would absolutely LOVE to shoot your wedding in Durango, Colorado.  I will be offering local prices (that means NO TRAVEL FEE, and a savings of $300) for any couple who books their 2011 wedding in Durango!

To cash in on either of these awesome deals, just email amanda@lamb-photo.com, or call 719.648.2152!

Rachel had lots of cute little baby boy details just begging to be photographed…like this little guy!

After taking a few shots of Rachel and her hubby at their house, we moved on to Garden of the Gods.  These two are complete hipsters, and I must say that I dig their style!

Rachel, I had so much fun with you and your hubby!  Can’t wait to meet your son!

It’s hard for me not to get a little emotional when I think about new moms and dads.  The two best days in my life were the day I married my husband, Jim, and the day I became a mother.  For that reason, weddings and pregnancy never fail to bring a tear or two of joy to my eye.  Becoming a parent is such an amazing journey, and I’m so excited for Shawnte and her husband Sean to be beginning theirs!  Congratulations, you two.

Sean did an amazing job painting all those stripes in Alaia’s room!  The colors are inspired by the adorable onesie you see here.

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While her sweet bump is definitely growing (that’s a good thing!), Shawnte is looking as beautiful as ever. Stay tuned in June for her main maternity session with her husband Sean! I can’t wait!

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Here is the first of her progression pictures.  I can’t wait to see them at the end of her pregnancy!  I’m also really looking forward to our big session at the end, right before her sweet baby girl arrives.

Shawnte and her husband Sean are going to be amazing parents.  It’s easy to see how much they love each other!

The BabyBump package is a wonderful baby shower gift for a loved one, or a great splurge for yourself.  If you or someone you know is interested, give me a call and book your sessions!  Newborn packages are also available.

If you’re interested in more information about the BabyBump package, just give me a call!

After a busy day at school on Thursday, I headed over to Brooke’s house to do her long-awaited maternity sitting.  It is the first one I have done, and I’m very happy with the result.  Scott and Brooke were a lot of fun to work with, and I was excited to give my new lens some more practice.

Here are some of my favorites from the day:

Thanks so much, Brooke, for being my guinnea pig!  I can’t wait to meet that little baby of yours!  She will certainly be beautiful.