Discovering My Passion for Birth Photography
My journey into birth photography began with a lightbulb turning on in my head. An "ah-ha" moment, if you will. When my oldest son was born in 2016, it wasn't long before I realized that being involved in birth, or something birth adjacent, was going to be something I had to do. I considered a multitude of options, but this job was never on the list. Being a stay-at-home mom, I was completely immersed in motherhood. I was battling postpartum anxiety and PTSD from my traumatic birth experience.
Embracing My First Calling: Motherhood
I wasn't in any hurry to decide what my calling in life was besides being a mom. We went on to buy our first and forever home in West Gardiner, ME. Now we had the space to expand our family! We welcomed our second son in the summer of 2019. His birth was healing for me in many ways. I had immense regret over not hiring a photographer for my first birth, so I made sure not to make that mistake again.
She missed his birth by literal seconds, but the photos she captured of me meeting my baby and the bonding that happened during the first couple of hours postpartum are priceless to me. The first few months postpartum were incredibly difficult. I found myself dealing with intense anxiety, rage, and overstimulation. I wasn't ready for my husband to be back to work at just three weeks postpartum. I struggled. A lot.
We decided to expand our family once again in early 2020. We found out I was pregnant with our third son just days before the world turned upside down and the pandemic changed everything. We got so lucky that the hospital support person policy was two people when I went into labor. Our photographer didn't miss it this time! I learned that the next day they changed the policy back to one person. Woah.
Getting the pictures from his birth back was when I finally had the "ah-ha" moment. It was this very crystal clear feeling. I could do that. I could be the one behind the camera. I could document these stories for people. I could be a birth photographer.
Becoming a Birth Photographer
With encouragement and a leap of faith, I dove headfirst into the world of birth photography. Despite having no prior experience with a camera or attending births professionally, my determination and passion guided me. It was a journey of self-discovery, overcoming fears of failure, and embracing my true calling.
"Buy the camera."
My husbands words were the final push. He believed in me. He could see the fire in my eyes and the excitement that just the mere thought of doing this work brought me.
I bought the camera.
What I Do as a Birth Photographer
I feel so privileged to be trusted to play such an important role in so many lives. Even after helping so many document their pregnancies, births, and newborns, it’s an indescribable, magical experience.
Every birth, body, and photoshoot is unique. To honor this, I do my best to accommodate requests and special needs and make you comfortable. My philosophy is that these intensely personal moments can’t be captured from the sidelines, so I’m not a fly on the wall in the birthing room.
Why Birth Photography?
Birth photography offers clients profound emotional and psychological benefits, encapsulating birth's power, beauty, and raw intensity. It serves as a documentary and a celebration of strength, capturing moments often missed in the whirlwind of birth.
For many, these images become a source of empowerment, reflecting back the courage, love, and transition into parenthood. My own experience with having my childbirth photographed cemented this truth for me. They help process and heal from the birth experience, allowing families to revisit the first moments of bonding and love tangibly.
This visual narrative affirms the emotional journey and the triumphant, transformative nature of birth, providing a cherished reminder of one of life's most significant milestones. What better way is there to honor this profound experience than immortalizing it?
Have Questions? Ready to Book?
Contact me to capture your unique journey or explore more about my approach to capturing life's most precious moments.
