What To ExpectInquiry Information

03 WHY BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY

04 MEET MARYSOL

06 WHAT TO EXPECT | PRE BOOKING

07 WHAT TO EXPECT | POST BOOKING

09 WHAT TO EXPECT | AT BIRTH

10 WHAT TO EXPECT | AFTER BIRTH

Cont

ents

Hello,Thank you for your inquiry and congratulations on your pregnancy! In this booklet you will get a better idea if hiring me for you birth is right for you. Enjoy and I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Marysol BlomerusCape Town Birth Photographer

COFFEE TABLE BOOK 11

NEWBORN SESSION 12

SLIDESHOW VIDEO 14

PRICES 15

Welcome

Why Birth Photographyhire me, I will document all the details and emotions of that day.

“I’m a storyteller, not just getting one good shot, but a series of

classic images to tell your birth story. This is my speciality.”

I am particularly good at capturing the feeling in the room in a tasteful and beautiful manner.

For many of my clients, the road to having a baby has been full of pain,

Think of a weddingGenerations ago, hiring a professi-onal photographer for your wed-ding wasn’t normal. Someone could just take a quick photo, right? Now we know that’s one of the most im-portant days in your life and long when its gone, the photos will be your memories.

The day your child is born is no different. Its one of the most significant and emotional days in your life. Dad’s life too! When you

waiting, hoping, loss, frustration, and delay. For them especially, documenting the day they meet their miracle child is so important.

Your support team, whether its one person or a small army, should be focused on you and not be fiddling with the camera.

More often than not, I hear “Why didn’t I know about this with my children?”

Meet Marysol

My name is Marysol. I’m a second generation photographer, who got a love of photography from my father when I was a teenager. From there I honed my craft and found my true photography niche and passion: births. I was the first in Cape Town (and I believe in South Africa) to specialize in just births. I am also the co-founder of the South African Birth Photographers Association.

I’m originally Cuban-American, now married to a South African and living in Cape Town. So, I’m “imported” if you will. I am proud to call this home and where I became a mother of 3. I am blessed with a son and two daughters.

The journeys by which I had children, by adoption and by birth, have profoundly shaped my life and my motherhood. Here is one image from the day I met each of them. They are some of my most important life images, backed up on multiple hard drives.

I know how important it is to have images of these events because I’ve been on the other side of the camera too. Both for a difficult birth and a redeeming beautiful birth. I know that they give you a perspective you can’t have in the moment. I know what its like for children to then experience these memories through photos. I get it. This is one of the most historic and emotional days of your life. While no birth story is the same, I have been where you are as an expectant mom. I think that enhances my ability to respect your space and know that to capture.

When I’m not shooting or running after my kids, I enjoy serving my local community, pinterest, reading, and cheese platters.

“I know how important it is to

have images of these events because I’ve

been on the other side of the camera too.

Here are some of the moments both via birth and adoption

when I met my children. ”

What To Expect

You are at this stage nowMaybe you know already have to have me at your birth, maybe you are on the fence about birth photography or have a reluctant partner. Read through this to get a better sense of what I offer. Its much more than “just photos anyone can take”.

Lets meetAfter you have given this a look through, let’s schedule a time to meet up for coffee. If you are interested in booking, I like to meet with prospective clients for a no-pressure coffee consultation just to answer questions, see more of my portfolio, sample coffee table books, and discuss your birth plan. It gives you a chance to see if I am right for your birth team. I mean it when I say no pressure, its relaxed and just to be sure the chemistry is right for both of us.

Your partner is welcome to attend and is often good for them to meet me if they are a bit reluctant. (Its ok, most dads are at first) From there, if you wish, you would secure your due date on my calendar with a 25% deposit and signed contract.

I only have space for 2 (maybe 3 max) births a month, so it is recommended to do this soon to avoid disappointment.

While considering a booking

Babies come when they want to come. I am on-call for you 24/7 until you deliver. It’s that simple.When I go on-call for you, the remaining 75% balance is due. In the event that this is helpful for cash flow, I do offer payment plans for the remaining 75%.

Coordinating With Your DoctorI will give you a permission slip and my code of conduct to share with your health care provider. It is your responsibility to clear this with them. I will not photograph them unless given permission to do so. My focus is to capture you and your baby.

Your Maternity ShootWe will schedule a time for your complimentary mini-maternity shoot. All packages include this, so your pregnancy photos are taken care of. Its 30 minutes, location of your choice, one wardrobe change if desired and 15 beautiful images on disc for you to enjoy long after your pregnancy is over.

On Call10 days before your due date until you deliver. About 10 days before your due date or scheduled cesarian (this can be adjusted for multiples), I go on-call for your birth. This means my gear is ready, batteries are charged, bag is packed, petrol is in my car, two cars are taken to events, childcare is on-standby, my phone is on 24/7. I am ready to come. You ask, wait... at 2 am? YES. Sunday during church? YES. Christmas morning? YEP. That actually happened one year.

What To ExpectAfter making your booking

“Marysol, we cannot thank you enough for saying yes and for taking time away from your own babies and

family to be with ours. We are forever grateful to you for giving us the opportunity of being able to revisit the day

we met our little girl. Thank you.’’

- Georgia’s Mommy and Daddy

How Long Are You There? I am there from active labour or as you check in for your scheduled Caesarian until about 2 hours after your baby’s birth. That could be 6 hours, it could be 30+ hours. There’s no telling. On principle that a woman needs no outside pressure when she giving birth, I do not charge by the hour. The last thing you need is the feeling that you need to hurry up. If for some reason your labor is stalled and your midwife or doctor sends everyone home to rest and come back when things are progressing, I’ll do just that. Birth photography is a premium service where you hire me for a set fee as your personal family photojournalist, to not be bothered by hourly billing.

My Style At Your BirthI shoot in a photojournalistic or documentary style. I am quiet, unobtrusive, and discreet. I know how to respect the birth space. My goal is to document the story, not try to create it or inject myself into it. There will be no pos-ing or directing except for right before I leave, I might say “Would you like one photo of your new family?”

What To Expect

At your birth

What To Expect After your birth

Final ImagesYou can expect all your final images complete with professional post production, both web-ready and high resolution within 2-3 weeks.

Do my images go online? Not unless you give me permission. Every thing you see online or in print advertising is shown with family permission. About half my clients choose to share nothing. That’s ok with me, I am photographing for you as my client, not for my portfolio. Even if you choose to share your images, your full names will never appear as searchable text. Privacy is paramount in birth photography.

Immediate Images 2-3 different images given to you within 24 hours, often the same day. This is ideal for friends and family who are eagerly wanting to see a photo of your baby.

Meet The Family Session You are welcome to add a 30-45 min “Meet the Family” Session to your package if it isn’t included. Its also photojournalistic with no posing. This is ideal for night time births where siblings, grandparents, or family might be coming later in the day. Or if you don’t yet feel up to receiving guests but would like to the next day. Or if you have no family coming, but you delivered middle of the night and want me back the next day to get some more natural light photos of your baby. This ensures you have my time to “come back” and get the meeting of family moments.

Thank you so much for being there and taking such wonderful shots. I must admit I was a little skeptical at first but having seen the results, and having met you it’s something I would never had missed out on! - Stuart, New Father

I customize your images and tell your story in a keepsake that you will love on your shelf or coffee table. Your whole story beautifully compiled in a gorgeous 50 page, 300mm square book with custom cover. Its a great way to see alot of your images in print, and hold them in your hands.

Also AvaliableCoffee Table Book

“Having Marysol there capturing each precious moment as it unfolded was definitely a great

decision. My husband and I differed on how we felt about having someone else involved in such a intimate time but Marysol’s presence was barely

noticeable. I can honestly say that I would regret not having the images or the dvd that she provided us

with! I have never felt more in love with my husband than when he held our baby for the first time and thanks to her, I will be able to revisit that moment

time and time again.

- Olivia, mother of four

Newborn SessionAlso Avaliable

Best done with in the first 10 days of life, I come to your home (no need to take baby to a studio), and in the comfort of your home we capture beautiful intimate and classic lifestyle images of your brand new baby. I am sure to get ones of your new family, with each individual parent, and siblings are welcome too. This takes about 2 hours total and allows for feedings, nappy changes. It takes the whole stress and pressure off going out to do with with a tiny new baby.

This a best seller. I compile your best images professionally with some video clips and set it to music, in HD quality. It tells your story in one beautiful song. Clients report watching theirs hundreds of times.

SlideshowAlso Avaliable

Package MenuNow that you know a bit more, take a look at your investment options.

I’ve attached my price lists to look over as you requested. Take note that all birth packages include a complimentary mini-maternity session.

Be sure to take a look the a-la-carte items that you can add-on to any package as you wish. Please note that the packages are just a guide but I’m open to customizing according to what you might have in mind (ie: more of this, less of that). Or if you are not sure on what you would like, some clients book the Just Born package and add products later.

“That’s my boy! Thanks so much Marysol, this slideshow is amazing and will be watched over and over again. It’s

brought a tear to the eyes already. Not only could I concen-trate on the birth of our son, you captured many of the ‘side-events’ that I wouldn’t have even thought to capture. Highly

recommended! ’’

-Chris, New Father

Add on Menu

“At first, I had doubts about having my daughter’s birth photographed. Wasn’t this the

most intimate moment of my life? How could I let someone else other than my husband intrude on

it, worse even with their photo camera! However, all my fears of feeling exposed or self-conscious

flew out the window the moment the birth journey began. Throughout the entire process I

hardly noticed Marysol’s discrete presence – she just blended right in.

Not only was it so reassuring to have my husband’s full attention to help birth our baby

without having to worry about handling a camera to get that desired “meet baby for the

first time” shot. The photos also capture those emotional yet fleeting moments of the whole

labour and remind me of beautiful aspects that I didn’t notice at the time. They show me and my husband working together to welcome our baby

into the world.

We now treasure beautiful memories of our daughter’s and our son’s births. And there is

nothing like the fascinated eyes of a big sister looking at the pictures of her own and her

brother’s arrival!”

- Justine, repeat client for 3 babies