Honoring the first cries, quiet snuggles, and every tiny detail

For birth sessions, I am officially on-call for a two-week window—one week before and one week after your estimated due date. During this time, I keep my schedule clear and my phone on 24/7 so I can be ready to head your way the moment labor begins. I do not take any other on-call or out of town clients during this period to make sure I’m fully available for you. In addition to that, I also have off-call time built around your birth window—specifically, the two weeks before and two weeks after your on-call period. During this off-call time, I do not accept other birth bookings, but will not be available 24/7. It’s part of how I provide dedicated and reliable care to each of my birth clients.

For Fresh 48 sessions, we’ll tentatively schedule the session around your due date. Of course, the exact day will depend on when your baby arrives. Once your little one is born, I will have you reach out to me. Sometime in the next 48 hours, I will meet you, at whatever location you may be at, for your session.

I offer Fresh 48 sessions throughout Illinois, as well as the surrounding states. Whether you're in a nearby city or across state lines, I’m happy to come to you to capture those first special moments with your new baby. If you have any questions about travel-related costs, be sure to check out the next FAQ where I break down my travel fees in more detail!

When it comes to birth sessions, I’m definitely open to traveling! However, because birth is so unpredictable and timing is everything, I highly recommend that you be located within about 60 minutes of Peoria, Illinois. This helps ensure I can get to you in time once labor starts progressing and be there to document the most important moments of your birth story!

All sessions receive no additional travel expenses within 45 minutes of Peoria, IL. If you have decided to book one of my Premium packages you can enjoy up to 90 minutes of comped travel expenses. If you have decided to purchase any of my 3 wedding packages or either of my proposal packages, you can enjoy up to 2 1/2 hours of comped travel expenses. Beyond those limits, my travel fee is $50 per hour of travel.

If you're looking to book in Chicago, there are specific days I have available with no travel fee.

Fresh 48 sessions can take place wherever you’ll be during the first 48 hours after your baby is born. I can come to your hospital room, birthing center, or even your home if you’ve had a home birth or are discharged early. Wherever you are during those first special hours, I’ll be there to capture those raw, intimate moments with your new little one.

For your Fresh 48 session, comfort is key! These sessions are all about capturing raw, real moments with your new baby, so there’s no need to dress up. I recommend neutral, soft tones like whites, creams, and neutrals. They photograph beautifully and help keep the focus on you and your baby. I also recommend avoiding bold prints or logos if possible. If you’d like, you can also bring a special hat or swaddle to incorporate for a personal touch.

Don’t stress too much! These images are about connection, not perfection. Just be yourselves, and I’ll take care of the rest.

For birth sessions, it's best to book as early as your second trimester. This will ensure I have enough time to go on-call around your due date, as well as giving us plenty of time to schedule a consultation where we can get to know each other & discuss your preferences in detail!

Fresh 48 sessions are much more flexible, but it is always better to book earlier rather than later!

Birth is unpredictable, and sometimes things move quickly! I always ask to be updated regularly once labor begins, even in the very early stages, so I can be ready to leave right away. If I am for some reason unable to make it in time, I will still show up and photograph all the details I am able to, like your baby's first measurements, bonding, the room & facility details, etc. In this occurrence, I would allow you to add a complimentary Fresh 48 or Newborn session.

I photograph births in all types of settings! This includes hospitals, birthing centers, and in-home births. Each environment offers its own unique atmosphere, and I’m experienced in working respectfully and discreetly within all of them to document your birth story authentically and beautifully.

If you’re planning to give birth in a hospital or birthing center, I highly recommend checking ahead of time to make sure there are no restrictions or policies against photography during labor and delivery. While I haven't had any issues as of yet, I know some facilities have specific guidelines in place, and letting them know in advance helps ensure a smooth and stress-free experience for everyone.

Yes, I am absolutely willing and honored to photograph your birth, even if you’re having a c-section. However, it’s important to know that some hospitals have policies that restrict or do not allow photography in the operating room, especially during surgical procedures. Because of this, whether I’m allowed to photograph your c-section will depend on the specific policies of the hospital where your birth is planned.

That said, even if photography isn’t permitted in the OR, I can still be there to capture the moments leading up to surgery and those first precious moments afterward such as recovery, meeting baby for the first time, bonding and introductions with family. Let’s talk with your provider and hospital ahead of time to explore what’s possible.

Absolutely! Your privacy always comes first. You are welcome to keep your images completely private for any reason, whether you do not share your children online, prefer to keep certain moments personal, or simply want your session to remain just for you. I completely respect this choice and will never share your images without permission. I simply ask that you let me know at the time of booking so there is no chance anything is shared unintentionally.