your birth story

IT’S WITH SADNESS, THAT AS OF OCTOBER 2021, I WILL NO LONGER TAKE ON HOSPITAL BIRTH CLIENTS.

DUE TO THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY HOSPITALS DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT’S NO LONGER FEASIBLE TO MAKE PLANS MONTHS IN ADVANCE FOR ME TO BE THERE FOR MY CLIENTS.

I WILL ONLY TAKE ON HOME BIRTHS FROM NOW ON.

Hiring me as your birth photographer and videographer means your most precious memories will be captured while you and your partner can focus on bringing your baby into the world. I absolutely love seeing and documenting births and I give my all when documenting your birth story, even if that means being at your birth space during Holidays or my kids' birthdays (both have happened!).

In my 8+ years as a birth photographer I've documented very long and very short labors, I've seen so many strong women labor and deliver completely naturally both at home and in hospitals, I've seen strong women who know their limits and requested medicated births, and I've also had the rare honor of documenting several cesareans (both scheduled and also unexpected ones) and also vaginal breech births! I'm a strong believer that every birth should be documented, no matter the outcome. It is the birth of your child after all, and that is the single most important day of his or her life.

If you have questions, please scroll down to the FAQ section. If you don't want the labor and delivery captured, I also offer Aloha Baby Sessions to capture those moments right after baby's arrival (within 48 hours of birth).

I would love to schedule an in-person meeting at your home since I’m only taking home births right now. That way you can get to know me and I can look at what kind of light options you have since I’m an available light photographer (no flash for me).

*A $400 fee is required as non-refundable deposit to book and reserve my services and is applied towards your Birth Story Fee. The remaining balance is due at week 37 of gestation so I can go on-call at week 38.

**Payment plans of 3 installments are available and are set up so you can be paid up by week 37 of gestation. Birth Story registries are also now available so you can ask family and friends to pitch in. Please let me know you want to sign up for a payment plan or registry!

it all starts right here!

This package is the entry point for everyone, especially for those with a limited budget that still really want their birth documented.

If you want MORE, you can start customizing your package by selecting the add-on options below

BIRTH STORY FEE

$1500

INCLUDES:

IN PERSON PRE-BIRTH CONSULTATION

24/7 ON CALL AVAILABILITY STARTING AT WEEK 38

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION OF YOUR BIRTH (FROM ACTIVE LABOR TO 2 HOURS POSTPARTUM)

35 HAND EDITED HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES PICKED BY SOPHIA AND DELIVERED VIA DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

** OPTIONAL UPGRADES BELOW **

BIRTH STORY Add-ons

Each Birth Story is unique and so is the experience you are looking for. With that in mind, I offer optional upgrades that can be added to your Birth Story Fee so that you can build the ideal Birth Story package that will be a perfect fit for you and your family. 

or BUNDLE AND SAVE ADD-ONS!

ALOHA BABY PACKAGES

 This session is designed to capture baby's first moments earthside and is an excellent option to capture older siblings/family members meeting baby for the first time, especially now that older kids aren’t allowed to visit at the hospital.

Aloha Baby Sessions do not capture labor or delivery. Sessions must take place within 7 days of birth and during daylight times.

Ready to reserve your Birth Story or Aloha Baby Session?

Please email Sophia at aloha@thesophiaco.com or text (808)781-4677

FAQs

How do I know you're the right photographer for me and my family?

I would love to meet in person before any decisions are made. I am a big believer in not only finding the photographer that has the necessary skills to shoot a birth story (top of the line equipment, experience shooting in low light, artistically capturing your intimate moments, etc) but one that will also contribute as a positive presence in your birth space. I believe my work speaks for itself in the skill level, but I'd love to meet with you so that we can make sure we're a right fit.

What is the difference between Birth Story and Aloha Baby?

For the Birth Story I am there during labor, delivery and 2 hours post-partum to capture the entire story of the day your baby is born. For the Aloha Baby, you alert me baby was born and we decide which day is best to come to your home- as long as it’s during day time hours and within 7 days of baby being born.

Can I book both a Birth Story and Aloha Baby Session?

Yes, you can. This would mean that depending on what time your baby was born, I would either go home to catch some sleep and come back the next day, or I would stay longer than the 2 hours I normally stay for. However, I do recommend mom and dad getting some rest immediately after birth without me being in everybody’s personal space, and I can come back the next day when everyone’s a little more rested. There’s a $100 off the Aloha Baby Session price if you book both sessions together.

How far in advance should I book?

I only take 2-3 births per month so please contact me as soon as possible to ensure your due date gets in my books. However, please know that last minute openings might also be available - so don't hesitate to ask!

When do you arrive for a birth story?

I typically go to you when you're in active labor. For hospital births this usually means when you're at least 6cm dilated. For home births where you're usually not getting checked frequently, I go when contractions are regularly around 2-3 minutes apart. However, all bodies react differently to labor and the decision to join you is made based on your progression and labor patterns.

How long do you stay at a birth?

There is no time limit. I stay until baby is born and then I stay up to 2 hours post partum.

What if I stall or have a really long labor?

I'm with you till the end. I will definitely take a nap or go out to grab food if we deem it necessary and safe. 

What if I end up having a c-section?

I'm there to document your birth story. If a c-section becomes part of your birth story, I will document that. There are no guarantees the hospital staff/your OB will allow me into the operating room (especially now with the pandemic) and it is your responsibility to advocate for yourself in wanting me there. If I'm not allowed in, I can send my camera in with dad or a willing nurse and then I'll go back to shooting as soon as baby is in the nursery with dad.

I'm having a scheduled c-section, can I hire you?

Prior to the pandemic, this would be an absolutely yes answer! However, with current restrictions the chances are currently zero. I’m sorry!

How do you photograph and do video at the same time?

I go into ninja mode, obviously! Jokes aside, I shoot motion clips and still images interchangeably with the same camera and most of the time my clients don't notice the shift. For the actual moment of birth, we'll discuss what your preference is.

When do we get our photos and/or birth film?

Birth Story galleries and birth films can take up to 12 weeks to be delivered. I try to deliver around 8 weeks but I am a full time mom and life happens (on top of being a busy photographer) that's why I say 12 weeks. I send plenty of previews within a week straight to your cell phone though.

How graphic will my photos/film be?

I am a very modest artist and will do my best to film and photograph in angles that don't show explicit nudity. I do suggest that you wear a top, bra or bralette for at least the labor and delivery if you want really modest shots but I have nothing against naked laboring mothers. Bottom line, your images/film will be as graphic as you want them to be and we will work together to achieve that.

Do you photoshop?

I don't do any crazy photoshopping on my images... meaning, what I get on camera that day will be the reality of your portraits. There is none of that "please make me look thin" sort of thing. I truly believe that every single person is beautiful just the way they are! And that if you're looking for a photoshopped version of your yourself, sadly, I am not the photographer for you.

Do you give out RAW photos?

No. Editing is the other half of my art. I only give out fully edited high resolution jpegs.

Do you give out the clips you capture for the Birth Film?

No, I don’t. The goal is not to capture individual clips. It’s to put together a video that tells your birth story in a concise and emotional way. Also, cutting the video and putting everything together is part of my art as well. You will get the final video fully put together.

How many photos do we get? Are they edited?

If you only hire me for the “Birth Story Fee” without any upgrades, will receive 35 fully edited high resolution images that I pick based on what best tells your birth story. If you add-on the “Entire Digital Collection” upgrade or “Bundle 01, Bundle 02 or Bundle 03” upgrades you will receive a minimum of 100 fully edited high resolution images that I also pick based on what tells your birth story in a concise way. All images are delivered fully edited in my style of color editing that you see displayed across my website and social media.

Can I order a Story Book Album from you at a later time?

Yes! I offer a la carte 8x8 or 12x12 lay flat albums with eco friendly cover options. You can come back and order those from me up to a year later if you want to invest in an heirloom album.

Do you have a backup photographer?

Currently no. All my amazing birth photographer friends have either moved out of state or have taken a break from capturing births this year, so as of right now I have no one I trust enough to capture a birth story in my place in case of an emergency. With that being said, I am very honest and flexible and we will talk about all situations that may arise and what would happen in the very rare event that I may miss a birth because of unpredictable circumstances.

What hospitals have you worked at?

I've documented Hospital Births at Castle Medical Center (Vera Zilber Birth Center), Kapiolani Hospital, Queens Medical Center, Tripler Army Medical Center and Kaiser Moanalua.

What home birth midwives/practicioners have you worked with?

Dr. Lori Kimata of Sacred Healing Arts

Dr. Ye Nguyen of Sacred Healing Arts

Jaymie Lewis

Selena Green of Hale Kealaula

Dr. Mari Stewart of Birth Believers

Kathe Gibbs of Full Circle Midwifery.

Awards and Features

Voice 2020 Honorable Mention | Click & Company

Best in Labor 2020 Member’s Choice Award | 2020 Birth Photography Image Competition

Voice 2019 Best in Category | Click & Company

Voice 2019 Finalist | Click and Company

29 Magical Photos of Dads in the Delivery Room - Huffington Post | June 2017

29 Gorgeous Photos That Celebrate The Many Ways Women Become Moms - Huffington Post | May 2017

26 Stunning Photos That Capture the Sheer Strength of C-Section Moms - Huffington Post | March 2017

Voice 2016 Finalist | Click&Company

10 Beautiful Umbilical Cord Images - Birth Becomes Her | July 2016

11 Stunning Water Birth Images - Birth Becomes Her | June 2016

35 Raw Birth Photos Of Dads Welcoming Their Babies Into The World - Huffington Post | June 2016

Why this picture is among one Family's Most Treasured Photos - Baby Center | June 2016

Top Birth Photograph of 2015 | Light Inspired

12 Stunning Images That Perfectly Capture the Beauty of Giving Birth - Woman's Day Magazine | Cosmopolitan | Good Housekeeping | October 2015 

15 Stunning Images of Home Births at Christmas - BuzzFeed | December 2014

Incredible Images of Babies Being Born Give Us a Look at the Miracle of Birth - Cafe Mom's The Stir | July 2014