California Birth Photo Rules · Los Angeles County
What Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica publishes, in its own words, about taking photos and video, bringing a doula, and how many support people can be with you during labor and birth. Checked 2026-11-01.
Allowed, with limits
“Photographs or filming can take place within the patient room and ONLY of the patient and/or family.” Providence Saint John's Health Center
Allowed, with limits
“Photographs or filming can take place within the patient room and ONLY of the patient and/or family.” Providence Saint John's Health Center
Allowed, with limits
“Labor and Delivery: Two healthy visitors, not including the patient’s partner. The doula is counted as a visitor.” Providence Saint John's Health Center
Allowed, with limits
“Labor and Delivery: Two healthy visitors, not including the patient’s partner. The doula is counted as a visitor.” Providence Saint John's Health Center
Hospital rules change, and the person on shift has the final word. On your tour, ask: Can my photographer or doula take photos during labor and at the birth? Is video allowed, and when? Does a doula count as one of my support people?
Jenn Miller is a birth doula and birth photographer in one person, so she is already in the room when the moments happen, within whatever your hospital allows. Talk with Jenn about your birth.
Sources: www.providence.org, blog.providence.org, www.providence.org. This page lists only what the hospital itself publishes; "Not published" means we did not find it on the hospital's own pages, not that it is forbidden.