Birth Story F.A.Q.
Why have your birth documented?
Having your birth documented is a way to capture one of the most special and important moments in your life. Just like we take pictures to remember birthdays, weddings, or travel, documenting a birth helps you look back on the emotions and excitement of welcoming a new baby. It's a once in a lifetime event, that you can't get back.
You get to keep those memories forever in perfect detail, and later, you can share the story with your child as they grow up, or even look back at the loved ones who were present who might not be here anymore. Plus, it allows you to be fully present in the moment without worrying about taking photos yourself.
Photography is a true investment that only gets more important as the years go by when you naturally lose the details from your memory.
Why Hire a Professional Birth Photographer?
Birth photography captures your baby's journey from the beginning of labor to their first breath, and the moment they are held by their parents for the first time.
When you hire a professional birth photographer, you and your birth partner can focus entirely on the experience, knowing that every important moment is being expertly documented by someone with experience, not someone taking photos casually or for the first time.
What sets a professional apart? Experience. There's a noticeable difference between photos taken by someone who has done this many times and those taken by someone new or using just a phone. From the focus and angles to the editing, and even the moments captured, there's a level of skill that comes with experience. We've done this countless times, so we understand how crucial it is to capture the first moment a mother holds her baby, and the raw, powerful emotions in that moment. We know how special it is when a dad meets their child for the first time.
Much like having a professional at your wedding, having a professional birth photographer ensures you’ll have a beautiful and lasting record of one of the most important events in your life.
What makes Triple M. Photography different??
Is it our experience? With over 20 birth stories documented and more than 200 sessions photographed, we've mastered the art of capturing life’s most precious moments.
Is it our "Picture Perfect Promise" satisfaction guarantee? Nearly unheard of in the photography world, this promise ensures that we’ll do everything possible to deliver stunning, emotion-filled images you'll love—or we’ll work with you to make it right.
But it's more than just our experience or our guarantee. It's our passion for storytelling and our commitment to capturing the real, raw emotions of your unique journey. We understand that no two moments are alike, and we go the extra mile to make sure your memories are preserved in a way that feels genuine and personal to you.
We also take pride in offering a luxury, stress-free experience from start to finish. From our personalized consultations to our top-tier editing process, every detail is handled with care. When you choose Triple M Photography, you’re choosing a team that not only knows what we’re doing but is also deeply invested in making your experience unforgettable.
Do I Really Want Another Person in the Delivery Room?
We understand that you might be unsure about having another person in the delivery room, and that’s completely normal.
Our role as birth photographers is to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments without disrupting your experience. We’re experienced in being respectful and staying in the background, so you can focus on what matters most.
Are You Willing To Travel?
I’m happy to travel anywhere within Horry or Georgetown Counties. If your location is outside of these areas, there will be a travel fee of $0.60 per mile, each way, unless we agree on something else. We’ll also need to stay in close contact during your labor to make sure I arrive in time for your baby’s birth!
Do You Offer Payment Plans?
We do offer both in-house financing (pre-payment plans) and external financing options through Klarna, Affirm, etc.
Contact us for more information. We always recommend you contact us as early as possible if you want to make payments.
Who has access to our photos?
Only 3 people have access to the photos:
- You, the client
- The photographer
- The editor
With Triple M. Photography, the photographer and editor are one and the same—Savannah Messer, the owner and founder.
All birth story photographs have a tight chain of custody. From the camera, the photos are directly uploaded to the editing software, then saved onto our password-protected, encrypted hard drive. Once the photos are uploaded online, the gallery is password protected so that only you and Savannah, the editor, have access.
Note: Alex Mayo, the co-owner of Triple M Photography, oversees operations, customer service, sales and logistics. He does not attend birth sessions, handle birth photography, or access client galleries unless explicitly requested by the client.
How do I book a photography session with your team?
Booking a photography session is super simple! Just contact us through our website, phone, or social media and tell us what kind of session you're interested in. We’ll chat about the details like the date, location, and any special requests. After that, we’ll send you a contract to sign and you’ll pay a deposit to secure your date. Once that’s done, your session is officially booked! We’ll keep in touch to make sure everything is ready leading up to the big day.
How Many Images Can I Expect?
If I gave you 1,000 photos that were blurry, out of focus, poorly edited, and missed the most important moments, would the number really matter?
What truly matters is not the number of photos, but whether you get beautiful, meaningful images that capture memories and emotions. A photo isn’t just a snapshot of time—it holds the feelings and experiences of that moment. As time passes, the details and emotions can fade, and our job is to document and preserve them. It's not about how many photos you receive, but about capturing the smile lines, the tears of joy, and all the moments that matter most.
When you work with us, you can expect a carefully curated collection of images that tell your story in the most beautiful way possible. While the exact number may vary based on the session, our focus is always on quality over quantity—giving you photos that you'll treasure for a lifetime, not ones that end up stored away and forgotten.
How long does it take to receive the final edited photos?
We know you're excited to see your final photos! Our editing usually takes up to 10 business days, depending on how many photos there are and how much editing they need. We take our time to make sure the images look amazing and meet your expectations. If you need your photos faster, you can ask for a rush service for a small fee.
What types of photography services do you offer?
We specialize in birth story photography.
We also offer motherhood photography services: pregnancy announcements, gender reveals, maternity sessions, fresh 48 sets or newborn lifestyle are all included in our offerings.
You can see all of our services listed on our pricing page
What if Labor Begins in the Middle of the Night?
If labor starts in the middle of the night, don’t worry! Just give us a call and text as soon as you know things are getting started. We’re ready to come whenever you need us, day or night, to make sure we’re there to capture your baby’s arrival.
What Can I Expect Once You Arrive At My Birth?
When I arrive at your birth, I'll quietly set up my camera and start taking pictures right away.
My goal is to capture the natural moments, so I’ll stay out of the way and let things unfold as they happen.
You can expect me to be calm and respectful, focusing on capturing all the important parts of your birth story, like your emotions, your baby’s first moments, and the reactions of everyone there.
I’ll be there to document everything without interrupting the flow of your birth.
What if You Can't Make it to the Birth? Is There Any Guarantee?
We always have a backup photographer ready in case of an emergency, and we bring backup equipment too. We make sure we’re fully prepared.
In the rare event that we miss your birth because of our own mistake, we will refund the full cost of the birth session. We can also discuss any additional compensation at that time.
It's critical that you inform us when you go into active labor as we could be up to 2 hours away at any time.
You can trust that we do everything we can to be there and capture your special moments—this is our job. For more details, you can check out our Guarantee in the "The Village" section of our website.
When Do You Arrive for the Birth & How Long Will You Stay?
We’ll arrive when you're in active labor, usually when you’re about 5 centimeters dilated or having contractions 5 minutes apart.
We’re dedicated to staying as long as needed to capture the birth and those special first moments after, staying up to two hours after your baby is born.
If your labor lasts more than 24 hours, there is an extra charge of $40 per hour to cover the photographer’s time. Or, you can buy labor insurance for a $200 flat rate, which covers up to 36 hours with no extra hourly fees.
When Should I Book You?
It’s a good idea to book us as early as possible, usually around your second trimester, to make sure we have availability for your due date. This gives us plenty of time to plan and talk about your preferences. The earlier you book, the better we can prepare to be there for your special day. If you want to explore financing it's always advisable to call sooner than later.
Currently we only take 5 clients per month.
This All Sounds Great, But I Am Still on the Fence About Having a Photographer
I completely understand your hesitation—having a photographer present for such an intimate moment is a big decision. What I can assure you is that my role is to be as unobtrusive as possible while capturing the genuine emotions and important moments. Many families have shared how much they treasure these photos afterward because they’re able to relive the birth from a different perspective.
It’s not just about documenting the birth—it’s about preserving the emotions, the joy, and those first moments with your baby, which can sometimes be hard to remember in the whirlwind of everything happening. You’ll be able to look back and share these memories with your child one day.
If you're still unsure, we can have a more detailed conversation to address any concerns and help you decide what’s best for you and your family. No pressure!
Will Alex, the co-owner, or anyone else be involved in my birth session or have access to the photos?
No. While Alex handles the business side of things, like customer service and operations, he does not attend birth sessions or handle any birth photos. Only Savannah is involved in the creative process and management of your photos. We understand privacy is a concern, and we want to assure you that your birth photos are only handled by Savannah, the photographer and editor.