Birth Photographer: What to Pack in Your Bag

{This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveV8Protein #CollectiveBias}

I have been a birth photographer for over four years now; I photographed my first birth when Apollo was only two months old! Over the past few years experience has taught me that I must always be prepared when I am on call for a birth. Keeping my birth bag packed with the essentials guarantees I will be ready when the call finally comes!

Items not pictured (because I had to use them to take this photo) is: my Canon 5D classic, my 24/70 L lens and my Speedlite.

1. Canon 50 mm 1.2. I like to have this along for shots after the baby is born. I don’t always use it, but like to have it with me. It also works as a back up lens (there are no do-overs in birth photography!)

2. My back-up camera (Canon 30D). I obviously can’t risk that my camera fails during a birth, so I always carry a back-up.

3. A protein packed snack (more about these later*). I have learned the hard way to always, always take along some good-for-you choices. Being awaken in the middle of the night and rushing to the hospital means I need a quick source of fuel. What I do not need at 3am is a candy bar, potato chips or junk food! With 12g Protein and 3g Fiber, the V-8 Protein bars and shakes fit the bill.

4. Water. No real explanation needed here. Becoming dehydrated during a birth won’t help anyone.

5. Cell phone charger.

6. Fresh batteries. I always, always open a box of fresh batteries for a birth. I do not need my Speedlite misfire at the wrong moment!

7. Chapstick. Hospital rooms are often dry and bleeding lips are never an attractive look. I find it really helps to just go ahead and take some sort of chapstick.

8. Kindle. I am sometimes at birth a long time, and there is no need for me to stand poised with my camera the entire time. There are times when I am not even in the room (when epidurals and spinals are being administered, for example) so it is good to have a little reading material.

9. Cell phone. In case I need to make phone calls and so my family can be in touch with me. I always put my phone on vibrate as soon a I walk into the hospital room. I tell my kids they can call me anytime at a birth, but I may not answer my phone. Instead I will find a quite place and take a moment to call them back when I get the chance.

10. I always take a bit of cash for coffee runs by the family or vending machines.

Restocking my bags usually includes a trip to Walmart. I found the V8 Protein bars and shakes in the health aisle. Out of the six flavors of bars to choose from, I picked Chocolate Peanut Butter. These taste so good, I have to keep telling the kids they are for my birth bag, not for them to snack on!  Can anyone guess what flavor shake I picked?

So there you have it, the essentials for packing a birth bag. To find out more about V8 Protein shakes and bars you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

I am currently on call for two births, so I guess I better go make sure my back is packed!

{This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveV8Protein #CollectiveBias}