Ottawa BIRTH Photographer and doula
documentary-style photography and film for ottawa families
Whether you're welcoming your first tiny human or adding to your growing family, I'll meet you, camera in hand, and capture your birth story. As an Ottawa birth photographer and trained doula, I offer support pre-birth and on the day your baby is born so you feel calm and supported.
What to expect when you hire a birth photographer
We’ll begin by connecting, either in person or virtually, so we can get to know each other and ensure it feels like a good fit.
Once your contract is signed and your retainer is received, your due date is reserved in my calendar. From 37 weeks onward, I am on call for your birth. Your package also includes a prenatal consultation, where we’ll talk through your birth plan, preferences, and what matters most to you.
When labour begins, you or your partner will reach out. Once you’re in active labour, I will make my way to your birth space, camera in hand, ready to quietly and thoughtfully document your story as it unfolds.
My intention is to capture your journey with care, while always respecting your space, your energy, and the people supporting you.
She captured the essence, rawness and beauty of birth
"Working with Val and having her photograph the birth of our son was a very memorable and positive experience. She knew exactly when to be there and, just as importantly, when not to. She really captured the essence, rawness and beauty of the birth without any allusion to the parts that did not belong in a photobook. We would highly recommend having Val be your person to document and capture everything that is special with the birth of your child."
-Gen and Adam
Choosing your birth team matters
Birth is one of those experiences that shifts something in you. It’s not just the moment your baby arrives, but everything around it, the quiet, the intensity, the in-between moments you may not even remember clearly, but will feel forever.
These moments deserve to be held onto in a way that feels honest and true to you.
Feeling safe, supported and comfortable in your birth space changes everything. After more than three years working at the Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre alongside families, midwives, and doulas, I understand just how sacred and personal birth truly is.
Choosing your birth team is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. That’s why I take the time to connect with you before your due date, so that when your birth day arrives, I can simply step into your space and meet you exactly where you are.
When you invite Valerie Miles Photography into your birth space, you’re welcoming someone calm, experienced, and doula-trained. Someone who knows how to hold space quietly and respectfully, while thoughtfully and artfully documenting one of the most important, life-changing moments of your life.
Birth Photography Collections - Ottawa Birth Photographer
The Birth Story
(Photo)
A simple, meaningful way to remember it all
- On-call coverage from 37 weeks until birth
- One prenatal consultation
- Continuous photography from active labour through to 2 hours postpartum
- 75+ carefully edited images
- Private online gallery
$2,800 CAD + HST
Birth Photography Collections - Ottawa Birth Photographer
The Full Journey
(photo - most chosen)
For families who want to remember not just the birth itself, but the anticipation or the early days that follow.
- Everything included in The Birth Story
- Choice of a maternity session or Fresh 48 session (a $850 value)
- 100+ carefully edited images
- A more expansive gallery to fully reflect your experience
→ Most families choose this collection for the added space it creates to tell their story more fully.
$3,500 CAD + HST
Birth Photography Collections - Ottawa Birth Photographer
Complete Birth Story
(PHOTO + FILM)
A fully immersive way to remember your baby’s arrival
For families who want to experience their birth story in both still images and motion—preserving not just how it looked, but how it felt.
This collection brings together photography and film in a seamless, documentary approach so nothing is missed.
- On-call coverage from 37 weeks until birth
- One prenatal consultation
- Continuous photography from active labour through 2 hours postpartum
- 3–5 minute birth film
- 2-minute highlight video for easy sharing
- Delivered digitally for easy viewing and sharing
- 100+ carefully edited images
- Private online gallery + digital film delivery
$4,600 CAD + HST
Birth Photography Collections - Ottawa Birth Photographer
The Heirloom Experience
(Photo + video + print)
For families who want their story preserved as a lasting legacy
A complete, thoughtfully bundled collection designed to document this chapter in its entirety.
- Everything in The Full Journey
- Maternity Session
- Fresh 48 session
- Heirloom album
- $200 print credit
- 3–5 minute birth film
- 2-minute highlight video for easy sharing
- Delivered digitally for easy viewing and sharing
This collection brings together multiple sessions at a bundled rate, creating a seamless and meaningful way to preserve your story in photo, film and print.
$4,200 CAD + HST
Birth Photography Collections - Ottawa Birth Photographer
Fresh 48 Session
Capturing the early moments with your new baby
Documentary-style session focused on your baby’s first hours and the quiet details.
- On-call from 37 weeks until birth
- One prenatal consultation
- Up to 2 hours of photography within the first 2 days postpartum
- In-home or birth location
- 75+ edited images
- Private online gallery
→ Often included within a birth collection for a more complete story.
$850 CAD + HST
Birth Photography Collections - Ottawa Birth Photographer
birth film
(Video only)
A moving, immersive way to remember your baby’s arrival
For families who feel drawn to movement and sound as a way of remembering, this offering focuses on documenting your birth story through video—capturing the atmosphere, the quiet in-between moments, and the emotion of your baby’s arrival.
- On-call coverage from 37 weeks until birth
- One prenatal consultation
- Continuous filming from active labour through to 2 hours postpartum
- 3–5 minute birth film
- 2-minute highlight video for easy sharing
- Delivered digitally for easy viewing and sharing
→ Often chosen alongside photography for a more complete and immersive way to remember your birth story.
Many families choose to add a birth film to their photography collection, creating a more complete and immersive way to revisit their experience.
$2,400 CAD + HST
Birth Photography Collections - Ottawa Birth Photographer
add-ons
Available to add to any collection:
- Short film (3–5 minutes) → starting at $500
- Maternity session (60 minutes) → $600
- At-home newborn session (90 minutes) → $700
- Heirloom album → starting at $400
→ Most families choose to include these moments ahead of time as part of their collection.
+ HST
Which collection is right for you?
- If you want simplicity → Birth Story
- If you want a more complete story → Full Journey
- If you want everything, fully preserved → Complete Birth Story
- If you want pregnancy + early days included → Heirloom
A Note on Availability
Birth photography involves a limited number of on-call clients each month to ensure every family receives the care and attention they deserve.
If you’re considering working together, it’s best to reach out early to reserve your due date.
featured collection
Birth Photography FAQ
How far in advance should I book?
I recommend reaching out as early as possible once you feel drawn to birth photography. I take a limited number of on-call clients each month to ensure every family receives full attention and availability.
If your due date is approaching, still reach out—occasionally I have last-minute availability.
Do you photograph hospital births, home births, and birth centre births?
Yes! I photograph births wherever you choose — at home, in hospital, or at a birth centre.
What does it mean that you're a doula-trained photographer?
It means you get more than just a camera in the room. As a trained birth doula, I can offer emotional and informational support. I also help your partner feel confident and cared for, and I hold space for your family during one of the most impactful and beautiful moments of your life, all while making sure your experience is documented in a respectful and meaningful way.
Will you be discreet? I'm nervous about having someone in the room.
Absolutely. My approach is calm, quiet, and unobtrusive. I’ve worked closely and collaboratively alongside care providers and understand how to move within the space, supporting when appropriate and stepping back when needed.
We’ll spend time getting to know each other before your due date, so that when labour begins, my presence feels familiar, easy, and completely natural.
How long have you been attending births?
I've been a professional photographer since graduating from Algonquin College's photography program in 2011, with over 17 years of experience. Birth photography became my passion after photographing a friend's home birth in 2022. Since 2023 I've also been working as a Birth Centre Aide at the Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre, where I have worked with over 60 local midwives and have supported 100+ families.
Can I book you for Fresh 48 photos without booking birth photography?
Absolutely! Fresh 48 sessions are available on their own — no birth coverage required. This is a beautiful option if you'd love to have your brand new baby's first hours documented in a relaxed, intimate way, but prefer to keep your birth private. Reach out to chat about availability around your due date.
When do you go on-call?
I am officially on-call starting at 37 weeks and after a contract and booking fee is paid, and remain on-call until your baby arrives. During this time, I am available 24/7 and ready to attend your birth whenever labour begins.
What if my birth happens very quickly or very slowly?
Every birth is different, and that’s part of the beauty of this work.
If things move quickly, I will do everything I can to get to you as soon as possible. If labour is long, I stay present for the full story—from active labour through to the early postpartum hours—so nothing meaningful is missed.
What if you don’t make it to my birth in time?
While this is rare, birth can be unpredictable. In the event I am unable to attend in time, we will still honour your investment.
This may include options such as a Fresh 48 session, adjusted coverage, or a partial refund depending on circumstances. I always ensure families feel supported and cared for no matter what unfolds.
What is the difference between photo and film coverage?
Photography captures still, timeless moments you can revisit and frame.
Film captures movement, sound, and emotion in a more immersive way.
Many families choose to include both, as they complement each other and create a more complete memory of the experience.
Do you pose or direct anything during birth?
No. My approach is entirely documentary.
I do not interfere with your space or your labour. I may gently adjust my position for lighting or composition, but I do not direct the birth in any way.
My role is to observe, document, and honour what is naturally unfolding.
Can my partner and support people be in the photos or film?
Absolutely. Your partner, children, and support team are an important part of your story and are always included in a natural, unobtrusive way.
How many images will I receive?
This depends on your chosen collection, but most families receive between 75–150+ fully edited images. My focus is always on quality and storytelling rather than a set number of images.
When will I receive my images and/or film?
Your gallery is typically delivered within 4–6 weeks. Birth films may take slightly longer depending on the editing process, but I always aim to deliver your full story as thoughtfully and efficiently as possible.
Priority editing is included in the Heirloom Experience.
Can I upgrade my package after booking?
Yes—if availability allows, you may upgrade your collection before your birth. Many families begin with one package and decide to add film or additional sessions as their vision evolves.
How do I book?
Once you’re ready, simply reach out through my contact form. From there, we’ll connect, make sure it feels like the right fit, and secure your due date with a signed agreement and retainer.
What if I have more questions?
You’re always welcome to reach out. Choosing a birth photographer is a personal decision, and I’m happy to walk you through anything you need to feel comfortable and confident.
Let's connect
Whether you're looking for beautiful birth images, doula support, or both — I'd love to hear from you.
i welcome ALL types of families and birth stories. bipoc & 2sLGBTQ+ friendly Space
I acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People. The Algonquin peoples have lived on this land since time immemorial. We are grateful to have the opportunity to be present in this territory.
