Are you interested in birth photography, but you're worried about the cost?
I get it; birth photography can be expensive, and it's important to understand why.
Let's talk about it!
When I looked for a birth photographer initially, there were no birth photographers here locally.
Any that I could find in 2022, that is.
That’s actually part of the reason I became one here in Knoxville.
Luckily, over the years (my daughter is 3 now), photographers have popped up everywhere. I love it, because a birth photographer is there to help you remember the parts of your birth you may have forgotten because you were so in your zone.
Photos of your birth can bring back the strength, the moments that felt like defeat but turned into power, and all of the little milestones throughout labor that eventually led to your baby being born.
Sometimes birth photography can bring sticker shock.
I get it! It is an investment.
I could go on and on about how I charge to account for the cost of professional-grade camera equipment, including cameras, lenses, and editing software.
As a birth photographer, I invest in ongoing training to improve my skills and stay updated with the latest techniques and trends. Birth photography requires a specialized skill set and experience.
I am not just a skilled photographer; I understand the birthing process. I know how to work with many lighting scenarios (which can get tricky in the birthing space), how to honor the sacred space of birth, and how to capture the most important moments, especially as fast as birth can be.
I understand that you might be thinking, “Allie, I respect it and get it, but the prices of birth photography still seem a bit overwhelming.”
So here is what you really want to know about why you should hire a birth photographer.
It’s easy to think, “Well, I want pictures of my birth,” but here’s the thing:
Do you just want pictures of your birth?
Or — first time mamas — do you want to remember the feelings of your first child coming soon and all of the feelings of “the firsts” wrapped up in a story told through photos?
A gallery that reminds you of the excitement, anxiety, and the overwhelming feeling of wondering if this is the real deal or Braxton Hicks as you count down till the dynamic of your entire life and family changes forever in the best way possible.
Or, moms who have done this before, do you want to be brought back to the time in your life when your little preschooler is preparing for baby brother or sister by rocking his or her stuffies to sleep?
I swear, watching my kiddo play is so sweet, and I do not think I have seen a more hardworking single mom of three stuffies in my entire life.
just a joke lol
(She does sometimes grab her “kids” by their feet, but we are working on that.) Okay, haha, I’ll stop.
Maybe your kids are preparing for the sweet new addition in other ways.
I am sure you can relate to the point. However, I digress.
If you are willing to set aside the investment for your birth, I would encourage you to dig into the “why” you want photos.
Birth photography is not just baby emerging or cool placenta photos.
Birth photography is a tool to tell this season of life you are in, so you can remember where you were, how far you have come since, and the strength that brought your baby into this world.
When taking photos, I like to think about the details. I am mindful of what the sky looks like, what your fridge looks like, because likely you have ultrasound photos and sweet little notes anticipating your baby’s arrival.
Along with these details, we will get the expressions of your partner’s first look.
Did both of you cry?
Did your partner whisper sweet encouragement in your ear?
Were your other kiddos in the doorway watching you be the strongest woman possible and doing the most, excuse my language, badass thing you could ever do by bringing a child into this world?
Real quick, let’s take a pause, and honestly, I would like to applaud all moms.
Whether you had a C-section, natural birth, water birth, hospital birth, whether you gave birth in a pool, in your bed, in a hospital room, or wherever you gave birth, you are really amazing.
I just want you to know that.
Anyway, back to our little TED talk about birth, and why choosing the right birth photographer for you is essential.
Birth photography takes a lot of time.
Births can last a few hours or even up to a day or more.
As your birth photographer, I am on call 24/7 leading up to your due date, and I will often spend several hours editing and processing the photos after the birth to make sure the final product meets my standards and your expectations.
About pricing, here is a gentle note.
Lower rates can sometimes mean limited availability or fewer resources.
If someone is balancing childcare or a day job, ask about their on-call plan and whether they have a back up.
The key is to understand the support and systems behind the price, so you can make an informed choice that feels safe and solid for your birth space.
Birth photography can be one of the most challenging niches due to light, the type of space, and balancing on-call life while showing up for your clients in the most empowering way every time.
It often requires education, high-quality gear, and a strong plan for being on call.
If you choose a beginner, that can be a beautiful choice too.
Just ask good questions about timing, potential for a back up (because everyone occasionally gets sick or a flat tire), and how they handle the birth environment.
In short, it is less about judging a price, and more about making sure the commitment matches the moment you are trusting someone to witness, and most importantly, this story can only be told through the camera lens just once.
The cost of birth photography includes more than just the time spent at the birth and editing the photos.
Now, you may wonder how much is birth photography in Knoxville?
The cost of a birth photographer can vary depending on experience and the services and products offered.
On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $2,500 dollars for a birth photography package that includes digital files with a print release, which means the ability to print an unlimited number of images at the lab of your choice and other add ons.
Birth is a life-changing experience that you will never forget, and having professional photos to look back on can help you remember all the emotions, details, and love that surrounded you during that special time.
These photos are not just for you; they are a gift to your child.
Photos reflect the story of new life being brought into your family without saying a word. Because of that, these images will be cherished by you, your child, and your family for generations to come.
I want to make sure that everyone who wants to capture their birth story through photography has the opportunity to do so. That is why I offer payment plans to make the investment more manageable.
I also offer doula support as an add on to birth photography.
You can look at the pricing options and package details here: https://www.knoxvillebirthphotographer.com/investment/
I am committed to making sure that you can have access to the beautiful, timeless images that you deserve.
Birth photography may seem expensive, but it is an investment in preserving memories, celebrating life, and honoring the birthing process.
So, if you are considering birth photography, know that it is worth every penny and more.
Do not just take my word for it; here is what some of my clients had to say about their investment:
“Allie really is the best. She is so sweet! I will forever treasure my birth photos. Her presence is so calming and she is not in the way at all. An asset to any birth! She is very thoughtful and pays close attention to detail. She truly cares and that matters so much!”
“Allie is a treasure. We had a home birth in October that went by faster than expected. Allie arrived right on time with me having my baby within an hour of my midwives arriving and captured everything perfectly. She is very intentional in what she offers like the nesting time and postpartum meals, which were all delicious. Allie has a calm and loving demeanor that makes you comfortable with her presence in such an intimate moment.”
And so many more sweet things have been said.
If you are interested in learning more about each other for your birth, send me a DM @knoxvillebirthphotographer or email Allie@knoxvillebirthphotographer.com to chat about the next steps so I can join you in such a sacred space and time worth documenting.
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Birth is a sisterhood and sometimes that looks like braiding your hair, getting you a drink of water, grabbing you protein after you have your baby so you can refuel or arriving to your birth with a postpartum meal in hand.
