COVID-19 Update
If you’re birthing at home, having a birth photographer capture your story is still an option.
I am currently accepting homebirth clients so if having your story captured is how you envision
your birth legacy, here are the precautions I’m taking to protect everyone tending your birth.
COVID-19 is thought to be spread from person-to-person and the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. These measures are based on recommendations from CDC, ACOG, and AWONN.
BIPOC are the largest demographic in Utah experiencing the negative effects of COVID. If you are a BIPOC and you need stricter precautions from me than what’s listed below, let’s talk. If it’s something myself and my family can accommodate into our life, I’m willing do what keeps you safest.
Precaution #1 - Practical measures for Social distancing
All in-person meetings are now done via video chat. I’m accepting a max of 2 births per month and all non-birth related sessions are postponed. As a whole, my household and clients are taking social distancing seriously. I’m also avoiding crowded places and mass gatherings when we venture outside. Right now we’re doing daily walks in the neighborhood and I leave the house once every 10-14 days. And when I do leave, it’s always with a mask, alcohol pads, and as much distance as I can possibly create.
June 24, 2020 Update: Most in person meetings are handled via video chat. I’m still limiting myself to 2 births per month but I beginning to shoot non-birth related sessions again. We are going out more, but are mindful to avoid most crowded places and mass gatherings. I did tend a recent protest, that’s the exception to this rule. I was also off-call for two weeks after the protest.
Precaution #2 - Face Masks, face Covers, and clothing.
I’m tending each birth with two types of masks— the N95 respirator and a homemade face cover. The N95 Respirator is a tight fitting mask that’s tested and approved by NIOSH to filter out 95% of airborne particles. I purchased additional face covers that fit snugly yet comfortably over my mouth and nose. The homemade covers are washable and contain two layers of fabric— cotton on the inside and waterproof nylon on the outside. My family and I wear these masks anytime we leave the house, even if just for a walk around the block.
June 24, 2020 Update: I still have N95s and I’m upgrading my homemade face cover to a valved military-grade mask because my glasses fog when I’m working. We still wear masks when going out in public, unless we are outside and have ample room to social distance.
Precaution #3 - Hand washing and sterilizing
In addition to masks, I’ve designated special clothes to wear to birth that stay away from everyone and everything. I’ve added 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes to my camera bag so I can sanitize before heading to your birth and prior to leaving. Upon entering your home I will immediately scrub and thoroughly wash my hands. I will continue to wash my hands and sanitize as needed at your birth. And with my style of shooting, there’s not a huge need to leave my equipment or other devices around your house. Everything can stay contained on my person or in my bag.
June 24, 2020 Update: I’m still being particular with clothing because it’s easy to set an outfit aside for birth. I sanitize my equipment before packing it up and my camera’s don’t usually leave my body. Upon entering your home I’ll leave my shoes at the door and wash my hands thoroughly. I continue to wash or sanitize periodically at your birth. I also bring alcohol pads with me just in case.
For now and the foreseeable future I’m offering 20% off birth story sessions for people switching from hospital birth to homebirth and to those planning a homebirth experiencing a genuine financial need.