Documenting birth is one of my favorite subject matters and I have really missed birth stories as the world has all but shut down these last few months of pandemic living. As a birth photographer I am gifted the opportunity to be present as a little one enters this world, as two people become parents and help create visual memories of a day so filled with emotion, that so much of what happened can be eclipsed by the hard work, exhaustion and brand new little person who has come screaming into the picture. 

Someone offered to document my own first birth--here I am, a photographer, and all I could think at the time was "why in the world would someone want pictures of that?!" And now all I have to show for the day I became a mother (other than my amazing 9 year-old) is a few, weirdly composed, blurry pictures taken by a thoughtful nurse. If I could go back and remake that decision, I would! Birth photography celebrates the power of a woman, the beauty of a couple, the first breaths of a human. Each time I have given birth, I go to my own place--to cope with the discomfort, the intensity, with eyes closed, my memories are visceral, otherworldly. Having someone document my second, third and fourth births, allows me to go back and see for myself what was happening. My memories are jumbled, but through the beautiful, raw images I am right back in those moments and can understand how it all unfolded.

I make a point to meet my birth story clients in person to discuss my being present for their birth, to document such an intimate experience. More often than not the one expecting has reached out to me and expressed that their partner is more on the fence about having the birth photographed. It doesn't even phase me. Because I was that person! But once we sit down together, talk about what hiring me looks like (and that I will be a fly on the wall), explore what birth images actually look like, they are all in! 

I photographed my first birth story nearly a decade ago. I immediately fell in love with birth photography--each birth is unique, follows its own rhythm. There is no need to pose anyone or instruct them what to do with their hands. A laboring couple is so in the zone, their chemistry palpable, their connection so clear. Many women have told me that they can't imagine having a photographer present for their birth because they would look terrible by the time the baby arrives. Can I just tell you something? The look on a mother's face as they reach for that warm, wiggly, sticky baby eclipses any perfectly made-up, dolled up woman any day! I may be ugly crying when I laid eyes on my second daughter, but the fact that I have a picture of that moment helps bring back every one of my own four newborns and their unique arrival.

I try to arrive during active labor, unless baby decides not to play nice, and document the details and anticipation. I then stay through the birth, skin-to-skin, all the first cuddles and measurements. Some clients opt for me to stay a bit longer in order to document their other children meeting their sibling for the first time. And I have to say that is one of my favorite of life's moments. I would have all the babies if I could continually witness siblings meeting. Some are thrilled and out of this world excited, others don't seem to notice the tiny bean all snuggled up with mama. Of course a few are a bit put out that there is a new baby and aren't so thrilled. Whatever the reaction, my clients seem to cherish this birth story photographs most. 

Each time I return to my own home after documenting a newborn's arrival, I am filled with love for my own kids. I appreciate what we all went through to become a little family. I forget so much of the stress and frustration of being a mom as I have felt transported into a scenario where time seemingly stands still and reminds me why I do this--why I mother, why I photograph, why I love telling other peoples stories. It clarifies my own lie

Please enjoy their birth video...

She scheduled her c-section for first thing in the morning in hopes that the anesthesiologist wouldn't be tired, ready to leave and instead wouldn't mind me tagging along.  After all the pre-op preparations were made, Melissa mentioned to her nurse that it would mean the world to have her birth photographed since there were aspects of it she had never seen.  I couldn't believe it whens she walked back in with a surgical suit for me to put on!  I loved accompanying Melissa and Ryan into the OR, watching them find out it was a boy--their third!  It was an amazing experience.

Every birth is unique and so special.  So grateful I could be part of this one.  Welcome baby Luka!

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The next evening Dalyn texted to say she'd been contracting a lot of the day. Shortest timeline so far.

But then Ella started calling the shots.  I think she may have been distancing herself from such a tumultuous election.  Sweet Dalyn was so strong and brave and waited 48 hours from first contraction to finally meet her sweet, beautiful baby girl.  I was honored to be there for the labor and birth of a very close friend's very close friend, who I now call my friend.  Things did not go as they planned, but Dalyn and Jordan were gracious and patient.  So grateful for the hours and hours (and hours) we spent together!

I love that once Georgia arrived, she was most comfortable bent at the waist with her feet up next to her face, her legs as straight as can be. I have to give credit to Bryan, Georgia's dad, for the first pictures of their baby girl.  Since I was not allowed in the operating room, I sent one camera in with him and kept the other to get the most complete birth story possible.  He did such a great job!

Thank you to each sweet family who as allowed me to be a small part of their incredibly special day.  Enjoy a little touch of (someone else's) labor on Labor Day!

Six months with this sweet little leapling in our home!  I love photographing babies, especially when they are old enough to interact and show me their brand new bottom teeth!  It also doesn't hurt when it's my own baby!  Turns out my bed is my favorite place to photograph my kids with our creamy bedspread and natural light from a big window.  I love taking clean, simple, yet not posed portraits of people: family portraits that aren't stiff and instead captures everyone laughing, a three-year-old sibling who is suddenly no longer the baby because the newborn she is holding has now taken that title.  Thank you to those who have allowed me to experience and photography these sweet experiences, many of them unrepeatable.

I love photographing in people's homes--it puts them at ease, making them less inhibited and the result is more intimate session.  I especially love in home sessions for newborn and maternity photography.  As we've made the transition to living in Utah, I am thrilled to be growing my photography business once more!  Help me find those looking for a birth photographer, newborn photographer or who might need updated family pictures, but hasn't enjoyed the experience.  We'll go somewhere you love and get you and your kids laughing so it's a little less painful.  Thanks!

Then my phone rings: "Water broke and baby's coming soon."  I quickly dressed and was on my way.  Phone rings again a couple minutes later: "the Doctor is ready to deliver the baby, how close are you?" 

I drove like a crazy lady as I got my camera out of my bag, prepared everything, all set to shoot.  The woman at the front desk seemed to take her sweet time. Talk about an adrenaline rush!  Forget the waiting with a couple for hours as he loving couches her through another contraction and another as I document their interaction, the room, little details.  But to be there for this sweet baby boy's entrance and the moment his mom first laid eyes on him was incredible!  That moment is why I love birth photography!

Because I arrived just before Beau was born and was unable to get many "before" photos, I went back the following day and was there as each of Beau's siblings met, held and cuddled him.  Talk about magic!  Thank you Bryn and Grant for allowing me to be there. 

After a self-imposed, extended maternity leave of my own, I am back in the game and itching for another birth story!

In the end, Brittany was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and after all measures were exhausted, she required a c-section.  Having shared an entire day with Brad and Brittany in great anticipation of documenting their son's arrival, I was worried for them and hoping for the best.  Because Brittany had to go under general anesthetic, I am all the more grateful I could be there to capture when a beaming Brad came walking down the hall towards his parents to introduce his baby boy to them. 

Thank you, Brad and Brittany, for the opportunity to be part of Malakai's birth!

Now that technical difficulties have been resolved and my baby is here, I am eager to be shooting again!  If you are awaiting your own sweet one, let me come and help you document the events of your labor and the first moment you lay eyes on that baby of yours! Memories fade, but journalistic photographs last a lifetime. It's your baby's story, I am just there so you'll be better able to tell it.

Gina originally planned on delivering at Swedish Ballard, but late in her pregnancy she and Joe had to switch prenatal care to an OB/GYN and plan for a cesarean delivery at Swedish First Hill.  Due to hospital policy, we knew I would not be allowed in the operating room so Gina suggested that we meet at their place before they needed to check in, which allowed us the opportunity for some preparation photos as they completed the final tasks before meeting their baby boy.  The three of us then headed to the hospital to get Gina checked in and prepped for her delivery.

I was so impressed by how calm the two of them remained throughout the process as they patiently awaited their turn in the O.R.  On the way to the hospital we spoke about Gina's need for a c-section and I very much appreciated her positive perspective.  Maxwell is one lucky boy to be welcomed by these two!  Thank you again for the opportunity to shoot Maxwell's birth story.  Welcome to the world little guy!