I was looking back through my (apparently) neglected blog and realized that somehow, I had neglected to ever mention my own pregnancy and upcoming maternity leave. On October 11, Fiona Rose joined our family. We couldn’t be happier that she is here. I will be taking the rest of 2014 off from photographing births and […]

When Clarissa first contacted me about photographing her birth, I told her that I would be out of town from June 28-July 5 – her due date was June 26 so obviously there was a good chance the baby would be born while I was gone. She decided to take the risk, and I carefully […]

This birth holds a special place in my heart. It was the 20th birth I photographed, but even more importantly, it was my first repeat client. Karen was my second portfolio client back in 2012. Her first birth was a planned home birth turned hospital transfer after 24 hours of hard labor with not a […]

As Austin and I sat in my living room talking about birth, babies, homeschooling, and all kinds of other subjects, I felt an instant connection. I was so excited to capture what was going to be Austin’s fourth home birth. For Austin and her family, this birth is a story of surrender. When things don’t […]

I am struggling to find words to describe the incredibly beautiful home birth I was privileged to witness this past Friday evening. In my 15 months as a birth photographer, I have seen the highs and the lows. I have seen births that were beautiful and “easy,” and births that were hard and did not […]

Birth is a transformative process that takes many twists and turns, a process that births not just babies but mothers. Often, the depictions of birth that we see in the media (TLC, I’m looking at you) are scary…gory…something that should remain hidden and not spoken of. And then there are births like the birth of […]

This birth marked the 15th birth I have photographed, and like every time I was overwhelmed with how lucky I am to be doing this work and to be telling these stories. It is always an honor to be invited into these intimate moments, to be a part of such strength and joy, but this […]

Sometimes when I’m looking for the words to say about a birth, I sit with my fingers hovering over the keyboard trying to think of the right words. How do I introduce something this powerful? I want to talk about the way that Jason loved and supported Amber, the way the midwives were patient and […]

Kaiya Paige was determined to enter the world on her own terms, so the night before her mama’s scheduled induction (and 8 days past her “due date”), she decided it was finally time to start her journey earthside. After the sun came up the next morning, she slipped easily into the world and the waiting […]

One of my favorite things about photographing births is when I am invited into the sacred birthing space of a long-time friend, which is what happened two weeks ago when my friend Irene powerfully delivered her second daughter, Brenna Amelia, at home. Irene’s pregnancy hasdbeen full of ups and downs, and a lot of uncertainty […]

(please note, this slideshow is not mobile friendly. Please try again at a computer.) Just a month before her due date, Aleksandra contacted me about shooting her birth story. She had hardly any photos at all from her first two births, so she knew from experience how important it was for these fleeting moments to […]

I have spent the last few days putting together the slideshow for baby Fei’s birth, and as I’ve selected the images to tell the story, I have found myself in awe over this amazing mama and beautiful birth. Despite taking place while Hurricane Sandy raged outside, it was such a peaceful and gentle birth. There […]

At a client meeting yesterday, I was asked what I am looking for when I shoot a birth. It wasn’t something I’d ever put into words before, and I don’t even remember what answer I stammered out in the moment. I thought about it the whole way home, though, and I’m so glad she asked […]

a week ago, a baby girl was born. she came swift, and mama made it look easy. making a boy a brother, a loving mama and papa parents again. here is her story.   to see more of nathalie’s story and photos, click here.

Quiet. Calm. Trusting. The flickering light of candles. Deep breaths. Support. Hurry up and wait. Hours and yet, Outside of time. Day passes into night, night into day. Discouragement. Prayer. Power. So much love. Swaying hips. Deep breaths. Tired. Overwhelm. Decision. Limits. A change: hospital. Help. Rest. Digging deep. Bringing baby out. It is over, yet just begun. Life. Joy. Peace. :: […]

I can’t. I am. I want to go away.  There is no place other than here, no time other than now. I am too tired.  I continue anyway. Surrender. Groaning, working, rejoicing. The hardest thing and the most wonderful thing. This is birth:: doing whatever is necessary to bring a new life into this world. […]