Hiring a birth photographer allows you to fully participate in the birth of your child without worrying about taking photos. Because I shoot documentary style, I’m like a fly on the wall; I’m there to document your birth. Families whose births I‘ve photographed say they didn’t even notice me photographing because my style doesn’t interfere with their focus on the delivery. Having professional images from the first day of your child’s life is irreplaceable.
How much do you charge for your services?
Please browse the site to learn more about my services. Package options are located at the investment page and packages can be customized to meet your needs. Please contact me via email (beth@bethskogen.com) or phone (608.575.8207) to reserve your date or if you have questions.
How long in advance should I reserve my due date?
I only book three to four births a month to ensure my availability. As soon as you are considering having your birth photographed, please contact me. The sooner I know your due date, the more likely I will be available. I will have you sign a contract and pay a deposit to reserve your date. The remainder is due on the day of your birth. Supplemental products, such as birth announcements and framed prints, can be ordered and paid for separately after the birth.
Worst case scenario: What if you can’t make it to my birth?!
The five days before and after your due date are reserved for you. I put everything else in my life on hold so I’m available for your delivery. In the worst case scenario (I somehow am unable to be at your birth), I will return your deposit in full. If you deliver far earlier or later than the dates discussed and I can’t make it, your deposit will not be refunded.
When do you arrive and how long do you stay at my birth?
Ideally, I arrive 2-3 hours before you deliver. I stay after the birth for about an hour, and longer if family and friends are there to meet the newborn. If you deliver overnight, I will come back within the next two days to photograph the newborn with family and friends. I want to capture those special moments for you. My services include up to 6 hours of photographing. If we need more time, I’m willing to work with your needs. You never know what’s going to happen during birth!
How do you know when to arrive at the hospital?
As soon as you are on the way to the hospital, you should call me. Sometimes you will be at the hospital for many hours before actually giving birth (especially for first-time parents). In this case, talking with the doctor and nurses will help determine when exactly I should arrive. With one birth I photographed, the woman was induced and in labor for over 24 hours; she kept me updated on her progress and I arrived to photograph the last 3 hours, which was perfect.
Should I ask my care provider if a photographer can be in the delivery room ahead of time?
Yes, asking permission from your doctor or midwife ahead of time would be great. I haven’t run into a situation where I wasn’t allowed in the room photographing, but just to make sure, I recommend asking. If you supply a birth plan to your medical professional, you can include my services in your requests for care.
How do you interact with care providers (doctors, midwives, doulas, nurses) and with family who are present for the birth?
My approach is to remain in the background as an observer. Aside from assuring their approval of my presence during delivery, I ask for permission for their image to be used in any photographs in which they appear. Except at your discretion or the care provider’s direction, I don’t generally need to interact with the personnel assisting your birth.
Do you need special equipment or space?
No. As a documentary-style photographer, I don’t use special equipment like tripods, backdrops, or lighting. I also refrain from using flash photography so as not to distract from your focus on the birth.
What if I live outside the Madison area?
I would love to photograph your birth if you are within 2 hours from Madison, although mileage will be added to the price. If you are within 20 miles of Madison, there will be no additional cost. The longest distance I’ve traveled to photograph a birth was in Iowa City, Iowa, and it worked out perfectly.
Do I receive the digital files from my birth?
I think it’s very important for you to have images from your birth, especially in digital form. Some photographers will never hand over digital files, but given the intimacy of birth, you deserve to have the images. I burn a disc for you of the edited set of images (around 50) for you to print on your own. If you would like larger prints, I ask that you have them professionally printed through me. I also include a set of watermarked images to post online to protect both parties.
Can I specify which photos I do and don’t want?
I typically select about 50 images that most tastefully capture the special moments of your birth experience. You may be able to select others to be used in a password-protected gallery at your discretion.
Will photographs from my birth be posted on your website?
I will only post images on my website from families who have filled out a consent form indicating their approval. Only the first names of the newborns will be included with the images.
Should I be concerned about privacy or sensitive parts of the birthing process like bodily fluids or nudity?
I use the highest levels of discretion when photographing, editing, and producing prints. I understand that personal preferences vary regarding, for example, breastfeeding or a naked infant. The images you receive will reflect my discretion combined with your own preferences.
Do you document other family additions, such as adoption, surrogacy, or gestational carrier births?
Yes. I love to document family in all of its forms, plus the joy of welcoming children into a family in the many ways that may happen. Please contact me to discuss how I can be of service.
What if I don’t want the actual birth photographed but want photos taken after the baby is born?
Since this would be similar to a regular session, please refer to bethskogen.com for this information.
Do you take maternity photos or family portraits?
I do take maternity and family photos, plus photos of children. Please visit www.bethskogen.com to see more work. I also take commercial and editorial assignments.
FAQ
Hopefully I can answer some questions you may have in this section.
Why hire a birth photographer?
How much do you charge for your services?
How long in advance should I reserve my due date?
Worst case scenario: What if you can’t make it to my birth?!
When do you arrive and how long do you stay at my birth?
How do you know when to arrive at the hospital?
Should I ask my doctor if a photographer can be in the delivery room ahead of time?
How do you interact with care providers (doctors, midwives, doulas, nurses) and with family who are present for the birth?
Do you need special equipment or space?
What if I live outside the Madison area?
Do I receive the digital files from my birth?
Can I specify which photos I do and don’t want?
Will photographs from my birth be posted on your website?
Should I be concerned about privacy or sensitive parts of the birthing process like bodily fluids or nudity?
Do you document other family additions, such as adoption, surrogacy, or gestational carrier births?
What if I don’t want the actual birth photographed but want photos taken after the baby is born?
Do you take maternity photos or family portraits?
Why hire a birth photographer?
Hiring a birth photographer allows you to fully participate in the birth of your child without worrying about taking photos. Because I shoot documentary style, I’m like a fly on the wall; I’m there to document your birth. Families whose births I‘ve photographed say they didn’t even notice me photographing because my style doesn’t interfere with their focus on the delivery. Having professional images from the first day of your child’s life is irreplaceable.
How much do you charge for your services?
Please browse the site to learn more about my services. Package options are located at the investment page and packages can be customized to meet your needs. Please contact me via email (beth@bethskogen.com) or phone (608.575.8207) to reserve your date or if you have questions.
How long in advance should I reserve my due date?
I only book three to four births a month to ensure my availability. As soon as you are considering having your birth photographed, please contact me. The sooner I know your due date, the more likely I will be available. I will have you sign a contract and pay a deposit to reserve your date. The remainder is due on the day of your birth. Supplemental products, such as birth announcements and framed prints, can be ordered and paid for separately after the birth.
Worst case scenario: What if you can’t make it to my birth?!
The five days before and after your due date are reserved for you. I put everything else in my life on hold so I’m available for your delivery. In the worst case scenario (I somehow am unable to be at your birth), I will return your deposit in full. If you deliver far earlier or later than the dates discussed and I can’t make it, your deposit will not be refunded.
When do you arrive and how long do you stay at my birth?
Ideally, I arrive 2-3 hours before you deliver. I stay after the birth for about an hour, and longer if family and friends are there to meet the newborn. If you deliver overnight, I will come back within the next two days to photograph the newborn with family and friends. I want to capture those special moments for you. My services include up to 6 hours of photographing. If we need more time, I’m willing to work with your needs. You never know what’s going to happen during birth!
How do you know when to arrive at the hospital?
As soon as you are on the way to the hospital, you should call me. Sometimes you will be at the hospital for many hours before actually giving birth (especially for first-time parents). In this case, talking with the doctor and nurses will help determine when exactly I should arrive. With one birth I photographed, the woman was induced and in labor for over 24 hours; she kept me updated on her progress and I arrived to photograph the last 3 hours, which was perfect.
Should I ask my care provider if a photographer can be in the delivery room ahead of time?
Yes, asking permission from your doctor or midwife ahead of time would be great. I haven’t run into a situation where I wasn’t allowed in the room photographing, but just to make sure, I recommend asking. If you supply a birth plan to your medical professional, you can include my services in your requests for care.
How do you interact with care providers (doctors, midwives, doulas, nurses) and with family who are present for the birth?
My approach is to remain in the background as an observer. Aside from assuring their approval of my presence during delivery, I ask for permission for their image to be used in any photographs in which they appear. Except at your discretion or the care provider’s direction, I don’t generally need to interact with the personnel assisting your birth.
Do you need special equipment or space?
No. As a documentary-style photographer, I don’t use special equipment like tripods, backdrops, or lighting. I also refrain from using flash photography so as not to distract from your focus on the birth.
What if I live outside the Madison area?
I would love to photograph your birth if you are within 2 hours from Madison, although mileage will be added to the price. If you are within 20 miles of Madison, there will be no additional cost. The longest distance I’ve traveled to photograph a birth was in Iowa City, Iowa, and it worked out perfectly.
Do I receive the digital files from my birth?
I think it’s very important for you to have images from your birth, especially in digital form. Some photographers will never hand over digital files, but given the intimacy of birth, you deserve to have the images. I burn a disc for you of the edited set of images (around 50) for you to print on your own. If you would like larger prints, I ask that you have them professionally printed through me. I also include a set of watermarked images to post online to protect both parties.
Can I specify which photos I do and don’t want?
I typically select about 50 images that most tastefully capture the special moments of your birth experience. You may be able to select others to be used in a password-protected gallery at your discretion.
Will photographs from my birth be posted on your website?
I will only post images on my website from families who have filled out a consent form indicating their approval. Only the first names of the newborns will be included with the images.
Should I be concerned about privacy or sensitive parts of the birthing process like bodily fluids or nudity?
I use the highest levels of discretion when photographing, editing, and producing prints. I understand that personal preferences vary regarding, for example, breastfeeding or a naked infant. The images you receive will reflect my discretion combined with your own preferences.
Do you document other family additions, such as adoption, surrogacy, or gestational carrier births?
Yes. I love to document family in all of its forms, plus the joy of welcoming children into a family in the many ways that may happen. Please contact me to discuss how I can be of service.
What if I don’t want the actual birth photographed but want photos taken after the baby is born?
Since this would be similar to a regular session, please refer to bethskogen.com for this information.
Do you take maternity photos or family portraits?
I do take maternity and family photos, plus photos of children. Please visit www.bethskogen.com to see more work. I also take commercial and editorial assignments.