If you’re thinking about hiring a birth photographer, you might be worried that the photos of one of your most intimate and vulnerable moments will suddenly become public. I can’t speak for all birth photographers (though I’d really hope that most would agree), but I’m here to tell you that, as a professional birth photographer, I never share a single photo without consent.
When I get invited into a family’s home to document their life with a new baby, it’s nothing short of an honor. But when that same family asks me to come back to capture their family growing again, I feel humbled by the trust they’ve placed in me for a second time.
My goal for each time I photograph a newborn baby and their family at home is to document not just the tiny details that make up this big moment of life, but to really capture how it feels to be living it. I strive to create artful photos that transport parents from their future lives right back to the fleeting days when they first met their baby and could stare at him for hours on end, learning every detail and taking in the newness and profoundness of it all.
Maybe my favorite days, though, are ones like the day shown below — when I was welcomed into a beautiful bungalow in South St. Louis County for an in-home newborn session with Finnegan and his wonderful parents. The living room was bright enough, with several windows, but not so much direct light that rays of sunshine created overly bright spots. There were beautiful neutral tones in the furniture and decorations, accented by warm wood floors and accents. It was a really nice place to start photographing this sweet new family of three.
On my drive from my first newborn session over to this family’s home, the sleet and snow started falling. By the time I arrived, there was a dusting of white on the grass outside. But despite the cold and overcast day outside, the photos we made together inside this lovely family’s home were rich with warmth and color and love. Check out this beautiful family (doggo included) and the magic we made together.
If you’re thinking about hiring a birth photographer, you might be worried that the photos of one of your most intimate and vulnerable moments will suddenly become public. I can’t speak for all birth photographers (though I’d really hope that most would agree), but I’m here to tell you that, as a professional birth photographer, I never share a single photo without consent.
My goal for each time I photograph a newborn baby and their family at home is to document not just the tiny details that make up this big moment of life, but to really capture how it feels to be living it. I strive to create artful photos that transport parents from their future lives right back to the fleeting days when they first met their baby and could stare at him for hours on end, learning every detail and taking in the newness and profoundness of it all.
Maybe my favorite days, though, are ones like the day shown below — when I was welcomed into a beautiful bungalow in South St. Louis County for an in-home newborn session with Finnegan and his wonderful parents. The living room was bright enough, with several windows, but not so much direct light that rays of sunshine created overly bright spots. There were beautiful neutral tones in the furniture and decorations, accented by warm wood floors and accents. It was a really nice place to start photographing this sweet new family of three.
On my drive from my first newborn session over to this family’s home, the sleet and snow started falling. By the time I arrived, there was a dusting of white on the grass outside. But despite the cold and overcast day outside, the photos we made together inside this lovely family’s home were rich with warmth and color and love. Check out this beautiful family (doggo included) and the magic we made together.
As a birth photographer, telling birth stories through photos brings me such a sense of honor and purpose. Showing the strength and vulnerability of labor, the support of a birth partner and the midwives or other care providers, the emotions and the details that tell the story of the journey, and the joy and relief once baby is in their parents’ arms… it’s all a passion of mine. But the truth is, the story I tell is from an outside perspective. So to get to hear that same story through the words of the person who lived it is so very special. Getting to read those words alongside my documentation is, for me, well, it’s just magic.
I hope you’ll enjoy seeing this birth story from my perspective in this slideshow and then reading about the journey Katelyn went on to bring her baby Earthside in her own words below!
This is the exquisite story of the homebirth of Asa Louise. She was born tiny, but mighty, into the hands of a skilled and intuitive midwife. Her mother labored instinctually in and out of the birth pool through the night. Her siblings excitement was palpable as they woke in the wee hours to find that the time had come to welcome her. And as the sun rose, her father made a wise and knowing suggestion that quickly brought her earthside.
As I write this, I’m awaiting a text or phone call from this gorgeous, fun, easy-going couple to say that labor has begun and it’s time for me to get ready to photograph the birth of their baby girl.
But on the day these photos were taken, there was no hurry or pressure. We were able to relax and chat and get to know each other a bit.
It’s one of my favorite things about doing a maternity session with a couple who’s hired me to photograph their birth, too. Having the opportunity to get really comfortable with each other before I enter their birth space is truly a gift.
In-home maternity photo sessions really allow couples to feel relaxed and comfortable, as they are in their own space. And gives me a really good sense of who they are. Plus, it’s such an easy and fun way to honor this pregnancy and document the whole story of this amazing journey.
We get to document what their life feels like now — before a baby comes and changes everything about their days and nights. This is what a beautifully lazy Sunday morning looks like when it’s just two.
We get to capture them chilling on the couch together with a hot cup of coffee, playfully and lovingly baking cookies as a couple, playing with their current “Baby” (that’s their super-awesome dog’s name), casually strumming the guitar in the bedroom, and perusing some of the gifted and collected items for their new little bundle’s arrival with sweet anticipation of her actually using or wearing them oh-so-soon.
Life changes so drastically — and joyfully — after your baby is born.
Suddenly, your days are filled with caring for a tiny person’s basic needs. And when you aren’t doing that, you’re staring in wonder and adoration at this little human who you are more in love with than you ever could have anticipated.
Your days change. Your love grows. Your heart expands.
So having a record of these before days is a gift. Remembering what your relationship felt like… Reminiscing about the excitement you both felt at that growing belly and your growing family…
It’s a time you will never get back. And as incredible as the next chapter of your life will be, this one is worth documenting and remembering, too.
Stay tuned for a peek at the rest of this story. I couldn’t be more excited to document the birth of this baby who’s already so loved. And then I get to come back to their lovely home to see how that sweet newborn baby fits so beautifully into their lives. I can’t wait to watch the evolution of their days. And I’m so grateful they’ve asked me to document this journey.
It’s always such an honor to use my camera to document a birth story through photos and film. But words can be powerful glue that help to weave that story together. When Jeanne agreed to write her birth story, I was so excited to hear it all from her perspective. I just loved getting to read this birth story, in the words of this strong mama who worked so hard and found surrender. Seeing it next to my documentation is just so amazing.
