Labor in the Time of Corona

Galleries for Families Project

Complimentary maternity, birth & newborn editing for any/all families welcoming a new baby during the Covid-19 pandemic

Photos / Edits by Laura Foote

about

timeline:

Open to families who delivered or adopted anytime in March, 
April, or May of 2020

where:

We've served families worldwide already! All are welcome to submit.

inclusions

What We're Providing... completely complimentary!

the opportunity to submit 10 of your personal photos for professional retouching

a professional print gallery of your returned images in black + white and color

access to order, download, share and save as you wait to introduce your family in-person to loved ones

We're so glad you're here! 

I'm ready to submit!

families should have their 10 personal images ready to upload as part of their submission form! Google log-in required 

stories & images from real families

Fletcher was born March 16, the first Monday that the country began shutting down due to Covid-19. As we entered the delivery room, we were informed that my husband would be the only visitor. Between the hormones & that news I was overwhelmed with emotion. Fletcher was a surprise baby and everyone was anxiously awaiting to find out what he would be. And now we were going to have to tell them through a window or FaceTime?! As they started my IV, the tears were uncontrollable. Luckily we had amazing nurses and doctors who took great care of us and lifted our spirits as we welcomed a healthy baby boy! We couldn’t have been more blessed. 

Baby Fletcher, Florida

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just 25 days into the project we have edited & delivered over 3,800 images to 200+ families from all over the U.S., Mexico & even australia!


After weeks of high emotions trying to process the unknowns, my husband was allowed to join me in labor and delivery- what a relief! We did have to wear masks the entire time which I struggled with when it came time for me to push.
His first look at his mom and dad and we have masks on. I took mine off to kiss him, I didn’t care anymore about the nurses asking me to keep it on. I just wanted him to see everyone’s warm smiles.. our surprise, beautiful baby boy! 

baby hudson, california

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At 23 weeks, the doctors said that I had Intrauterine Growth Restriction. She ended up being our tiny miracle, born at only 4.12 lbs, and admitted to the NICU for respiratory and feeding. We were not able to hold or see our baby for the 14 days she was in the NICU. Due to visitation rules due to the pandemic, visitors (including parents) were NOT allowed. The last few weeks were not what I had planned my delivery and labor, postpartum recovery would be, and looking back now, I wouldn’t want to relive it again. However the most important thing is that Joy is home with us, safe, healthy and growing. We are all smitten over her! 

baby joy, georgia

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Our sweet girl's due date was April 6th however she decided to come a little early on March 25th. At my weekly OB checks we had been getting hospital procedure updates due to Covid-19 and it was becoming scary thinking about the what if’s. They put in place no visitors, except one support person allowed into the hospital with you. It was understandable however hard to digest our sweet toddler couldn’t come to meet his new baby sister & we had to cancel our photographer who was scheduled to come. All things aside we are just happy our sweet Emery arrived safe and we are home! 

baby emery, florida

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I never could have expected that the last trimester of my 2nd pregnancy would have included a worldwide pandemic. As I flew back from my final wedding photography contract before maternity leave, just hours before the U.S. "shut down", the idea for this project came. With my almost 3 year old peacefully asleep on my growing belly, I knew that even as I walked this season myself, I could do something to help other families. To fight against the fears, the losses, the unknowns. To capture joy and make sure as many babies as possible still had timeless images. 

The Labor in the Time of Corona Galleries for Families project launched on April 3, 2020 with a simple blog post. I didn't have any goals except to truly serve those I already had within reach. But people shared. Moms emailed. And less than a month later, we have a team of 7 volunteer editors (and growing!), and have edited and delivered over 3,500 images to over 200 families worldwide.  All complimentary.

We read every story submitted along with the images we get to edit. We are encouraged and inspired by every family; laboring in masks, enduring days away from their baby while in the NICU, not being able to see family. And yet, despite it all, they share their joy. Their gratitude. Their excitement for what's ahead. And their desire to share this time with their children in the years a come, and thankfulness that they have images to remember it all. 

As a photographer and educator for over 10 years, people's stories have always been my driving creative force. But this project has brought out the best in people, and I'm just so honored to have been a part of it! 

So glad you're here!

xo,






Laura, project founder

@laurafoote // laurafoote.com

the Heart & faces behind the project

01. CAN I SUBMIT FOR A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER?
answer:

Yes! What a sweet way to love on a friend or family member during their newborn season. Please just make sure you include their consent accordingly on the form. Also please submit their information as well as an email for us to deliver to! We prefer to email the family directly if possible. If you have questions you can always email laborinthetimeofcorona@
gmail.com

02. IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE ADDITIONAL IMAGES EDITED?
answer:

Yes! We are asking for a donation of $5/image for additional files to be edited. The form limits submissions to 10 photos, but additional files can be emailed directly to laborinthetimeofcorona@
gmail.com. 

03. WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY GALLERY?
answer:

Our team is working hard to return all galleries within 7-14 days! 

04. Are iphone photos ok to send?
answer:

Of course! We welcome all kinds of cell and digital files for submission. Please submit unedited/cropped versions if possible! 

05. DO YOU HAVE ANY RESOURCES FOR TAKING BETTER PHOTOS MYSELF DURING THIS TIME?
answer:

Yes, but not all in one place (ha!). Our team's instagram profiles (see above!) have posts, IGTV videos & highlights on everything from swaddling your baby to newborn photos at home. Here are some quick tips for you though: 
- Use natural light whenever you can! And yes, that means turning off overhead lights! It might seem dark, but just trust us on this one! 
- Move cups, cell phones, charger cords etc. out of the frame when you can! 
- Take more pictures than you think you'll need to account for blur, blinking etc.! 

06. HOW LONG WILL YOU BE OFFERING THIS?
answer:

As long as there are Covid-19 limitations in place (# of visitors allowed at hospitals, quarantine recommendations post-delivery, social distancing guidelines etc.) we will be running this project! Right now, we plan to go at least through May 31st 2020