Birth Photography at Emory University Hospital Midtown

What Birth Photography Looks Like at Emory Midtown

When active labor begins, you'll contact us just as you would your doula or birth team. Once it's time, we'll make our way to Emory Midtown and remain with you throughout labor, birth, and the first hours after your baby arrives.

Birth coverage typically includes:

• The atmosphere you've intentionally created for your birth

• Quiet moments with your partner and support team

• Labor as it naturally unfolds

• Your baby's birth

• First skin-to-skin and those first emotional moments together

• Your baby's first feeding

• Measurements and newborn assessments, when appropriate

• Meeting siblings and grandparents, if they're able to visit

• The first hours of getting to know your newest little love

Every birth tells a different story.

Rather than following a checklist of must-have images, we document your experience as it unfolds. Some births are filled with laughter, others with quiet anticipation. Some move quickly, while others take their time. Our job is simply to preserve your story honestly and unobtrusively.

What to Know About Giving Birth at Emory Midtown

Emory Midtown is one of the busiest maternity hospitals in Georgia, and because it's also a teaching hospital, there are often more members of your care team involved throughout labor and delivery. It's completely normal to have nurses, residents, physicians, anesthesiologists, lactation consultants, and pediatric providers coming in and out of your room.

Don't worry—we're used to it.

Our role is to quietly blend into the background, working alongside your medical team without ever interfering with your care.

A few things we encourage families to know before delivery:

Talk with your provider about your birth photographer. While birth photographers are welcomed by many providers, it's always a good idea to mention your plans during a prenatal appointment and include your photographer in your birth preferences.

Know your visitor plan. Emory Midtown allows one designated support person to remain with you throughout labor and delivery. Visitor guidelines can change, so we always recommend confirming the current policy with the hospital as your due date approaches. If you're hoping to have grandparents or siblings visit after your baby arrives, checking the current visitor guidelines ahead of time can help everyone know what to expect.

Plan for parking. Emory Midtown offers both valet and self-parking. Since babies rarely arrive at a convenient time, we recommend your support person familiarize themselves with the parking options before labor begins. It's one less thing to think about when it's time to head to the hospital.

Your care always comes first. Before your birth, we'll talk through exactly what you're comfortable having documented. Some families want a "butterflies and rainbows" version of their birth story, focusing on the emotion, connection, and joy. Others want every part of their baby's story preserved, no matter what unfolds. There's no right or wrong choice—only what feels right for your family.

No matter what level of coverage you choose, we always use discretion in the moment. Years of experience have taught us when to quietly keep documenting and when to simply put our cameras down. Most importantly, we never interfere with your medical team. If your provider needs access to you, your nurse needs to adjust your position, or your baby needs immediate care, we step aside without hesitation. Your care—and your baby's well-being—will always come first.

Lighting Tips for Beautiful Birth Photos & Films

One of the questions we hear most often is:

"Should I bring lights?"

Our answer is yes—but choose them carefully.

We never use flash during labor or birth. Flash changes the atmosphere you've intentionally created and can be distracting during such an intimate experience. Instead, we photograph and film entirely using the ambient light that's already present in your room.

If you'd like to create a warm, cozy environment, we often recommend bringing a small strand of warm incandescent twinkle lights. They create a beautiful glow that photographs naturally and looks wonderful on video.

We generally do not recommend LED string lights. While they may appear steady to the eye, many LEDs create a subtle flicker that can show up in photographs and video footage, resulting in distracting flashing or banding.

A few simple lighting tips:

• Bring warm incandescent twinkle lights if you'd like extra ambiance.

• Consider battery-operated options that can be easily moved around the room.

• Avoid color-changing lights.

• Skip LED fairy lights whenever possible.

• Don't worry if your room feels dim. We are experienced in working with low-light environments and preserving the mood of the space.

Some of the most meaningful birth images we've ever created have been made in the soft glow of a dark Emory Midtown hospital room in the middle of the night.

How to Book Birth Photography at Emory Midtown

Most families reserve their due date during the second trimester, though we occasionally have availability for later inquiries.

To reserve your due date:

• Submit an inquiry through our contact form.

• Schedule a consultation with our team.

• Choose the coverage option that best fits your family.

• Sign your agreement and submit your retainer.

• Get to know the Collective as we prepare for your baby's arrival.

Because we're a team of three experienced birth photographers, you'll have the confidence of knowing your story is supported by an entire collective—not just a single photographer.

If you're planning a birth at Emory University Hospital Midtown, we would be honored to document this chapter of your family's story.