Packing for a hospital birth can feel a little like packing for a trip you’ve never taken… to a place you don’t fully control… with a wildly unpredictable timeline. Fun, right?

As a birth photographer who’s been present for countless hospital births—and as a mom myself—I’ve seen what actually gets used, what gets forgotten, and what people wish they had packed at 3 a.m.

So let’s break it down. No fear-mongering. No overpacking panic. Just the good stuff.

The Essentials (a.k.a. Don’t Skip These)

These are the things you’ll almost definitely want during labor, delivery, or your hospital stay.

1. Photo ID, Insurance Card & Paperwork

Not exciting, but very necessary. Put these in an easy-to-reach pocket so you’re not digging through a tote bag mid-contraction.

2. Phone Charger (the Long One!)

Hospital outlets are never where you want them to be. A 10-foot charger is the real MVP of the hospital birth packing list.

3. Comfortable Clothing

Think:

• A loose robe
• A comfy bra or nursing bra
• Cozy socks (hospital floors are cold)
• Something soft to wear home

Pro tip: Pack clothes you don’t mind being photographed in—because those early moments are often captured.

Labor Comfort Items (Because Birth Is Work)

4. Lip Balm

Hospitals are dry. Labor breathing is real. Chapped lips are not the vibe.

5. Hair Ties or Headband

You’ll want your hair out of your face at some point. Trust me.

6. Essential Oils or a Familiar Scent

Smell is powerful. A favorite scent can ground you and make the room feel more like yours.

7. Your Birth Preferences (Printed)

Even if your care team is amazing, having a printed copy of your preferences can be helpful—especially during shift changes.

For Your Support Person (Yes, They Matter Too)

8. Snacks (Real Ones)

Hospital cafeterias close. Vending machines disappoint. Pack snacks that actually sustain energy—protein bars, trail mix, jerky, chocolate (obviously).

9. Change of Clothes

Birth doesn’t run on a schedule. Fresh clothes = happier support person.

Baby Basics (Hospitals Cover More Than You Think)

Hospitals usually provide diapers, wipes, and blankets, so don’t go overboard.

10. Going-Home Outfit

One adorable, comfy outfit is plenty. Bonus points if it photographs well.

11. Baby Nail File or Mittens

Some babies come out with talons. It happens.

Nice-to-Have (But Not Required)

12. Your Own Pillow

Hospital pillows are… fine. Your pillow is better.

13. A Playlist or Bluetooth Speaker

Music can help set the tone—calm, empowering, or “I need Beyoncé right now.”

14. A Keepsake Item

A letter to your baby, a special necklace, or something meaningful can be grounding and beautiful to photograph.

What You Can Leave at Home

Let’s keep it real:

• 7 outfit changes
• Full makeup kits (unless it brings you joy!)
• Every baby item you own

Less stuff = less to manage.

Final Thoughts From a Birth Photographer

You don’t need to pack for every possible scenario. You just need to pack for you.

Birth is raw, powerful, emotional, and unpredictable—and the most important things can’t be packed into a bag anyway. But a little preparation goes a long way in helping you feel calm, comfortable, and present.

And if you’re having your birth documented? These are the details that help your story unfold beautifully—exactly as it is.

The post What to Pack for a Hospital Birth appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

Before we dive into the details, I have to share some happy personal news.

I was thrilled beyond belief when my lovely client from 2024 called and said she will be having baby #2 in November of 2025. So exciting! She let me know she would be giving birth at Saddleback Medical Center again and using an epidural.

Her call was a wonderful reminder that when someone has a positive, supported birth experience, they often choose what worked for them again. Let’s talk about what an epidural is, how it works, and why many birthing parents choose this option.

What is an Epidural?

An epidural is a form of pain relief commonly used during labor. It works by numbing the nerves that carry pain signals from the uterus and birth canal to the brain. The goal is to significantly reduce pain while allowing you to remain awake and alert for your baby’s birth.

Epidurals are administered by an anesthesiologist and are typically offered in hospital settings, including places like Saddleback Medical Center.

How is an Epidural Given?

The process usually looks like this:

1. Positioning: You’ll either sit up or lie on your side while curving your back outward.
2. Cleaning and numbing: The lower back is cleaned, and a local anesthetic is used to numb the skin.
3. Catheter placement: A thin catheter is placed into the epidural space in your lower back. The needle is then removed, leaving only the soft catheter.
4. Medication delivery: Pain-relief medication is delivered through the catheter, either continuously or in timed doses.

Once the epidural is effective, most people experience a significant reduction in contraction pain, typically within 10–20 minutes.

What Does an Epidural Feel Like?

People experience epidurals differently, but most report:

• Strong pain relief from contractions
• Pressure sensations still present
• Reduced sensation from the waist down
• Loss of the ability to walk (temporary)
• Legs feeling heavy, warm, or tingly

Many people can still feel contractions without the sharp pain, which can make labor feel more manageable and less exhausting.

Benefits of an Epidural

Epidurals can be a helpful tool for many birthing parents, especially when labor is long or intense. Benefits may include:

• Significant pain relief
• Ability to rest or sleep during labor
• Reduced stress and tension
• Helpful in certain medical situations
• Can make cervical exams or procedures more comfortable

For some, choosing an epidural allows them to stay present, calm, and emotionally grounded during birth.

Things to Consider

While epidurals are generally very safe, it’s important to understand possible trade-offs:

• Reduced mobility during labor
• Pushing stage may be longer
• Possible drop in blood pressure
• Temporary itching, shivering, or numbness
• Increased need for additional interventions in some cases

Having a supportive care team can help you adjust positions, stay comfortable, and continue progressing even with limited movement.

There Is No “Right” Way to Give Birth

Whether someone chooses an epidural, plans to avoid medication, or decides in the moment, what matters most is feeling informed, respected, and supported.

Hearing from returning clients—like my wonderful 2024 client expecting again in 2025—reinforces how personal and powerful birth choices are. When someone feels heard and cared for, they trust themselves and their decisions moving forward.

The post What Is an Epidural? A Clear, Honest Explanation for Expecting Parents appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

Do I have to lie on my back to deliver my baby?

What happens during a hospital labor and birth depends greatly on your advocacy and your OB. It is important for you to speak about options with your OB before you head to the hospital to birth. Making sure they are open to what you want and need is crucial to avoid being super uncomfortable at the hospital. If they are not open to your wishes, it is never too late to find a different OB.

One option to ask your OB is if they are open to birthing in different positions, not just on your back and your legs in stirrups. Now, I have heard OBs say to clients, “Of course you can labor in different positions.” However, that wasn’t your question. Your question is birthing in different positions. That is a HUGE difference. You may end up feeling that your back is the best way for you at the time, but maybe in that moment, it is better if you stand, be on all fours, or be in a side-lying position. An OB should really be the guide and help if there is a complication, and allow you the freedom to birth as you wish. If they are not or are sticklers for being on your back, then you need to decide if that is the right OB for you.

What If I Want Delayed Cord Clamping?

Your idea and your OB’s idea of delayed cord clamping may be vastly different. Again, I believe in hospitals and doctors, and if there is an emergency, there is no other place I would want to be. That said, having babies is a numbers game. Quick in and quick out, make room for the next family. For most OBs (huge generalization here), their idea of cord clamping is about a minute to, at most, 5 minutes. They want to sew you up (if needed for tearing), make sure there is no excess bleeding and move on.

The reason for delayed cord clamping is to allow for the transfer of blood and stem cells from the placenta to the newborn. These benefits include increased blood volume, improved iron stores, and potentially better neurodevelopmental outcomes. So, for these reasons, delayed cord clamping should be done until the cord turns white. That means all the goodies have gone to the baby, and there are none left in the cord. This, generally speaking, is going to be longer than 5 minutes. It could be up to 10 minutes. That is a long time in a doctor’s world. It is important to talk to them before your baby’s birth date. This should be included in your birth preference plan.

What if A Different Doctor is Delivering my Baby?

You may be surprised how often this happens. I would say it is about 50/50, in my experience, that a family’s chosen OB does the actual delivery. It is important that you give and have the on-call OB (as well as the nurses) know that you have a birth preference plan. The on-call OB needs to know your wishes. This is where advocacy for yourself is super important because now you need to start over with this new on-call OB, and make sure you convey the importance of your wishes.

What about the Golden Hour?

After the whirlwind of giving birth, you’ll find yourself in a magical moment of bonding with your new family. There’s a soft hush in the room, punctuated only by the gentle sounds of your newborn’s breaths. For about an hour, you’ll have the precious opportunity to soak in this new reality.

However, the first 15-30 minutes might feel like a bustling hive of activity, with nurses coming in and out, checking vital signs, and ensuring everything is just right. But don’t let that distract you; once those initial flurries settle down, you’ll be left with 30-45 minutes of uninterrupted togetherness. This Golden Hour is generally given unless there is some issue with you or baby.

What about newborn shots?

This is something they will ask if you want. That is entirely up to you.

The vitamin K shot: Newborns have low levels of Vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting.

Eye Drops: Eye drops (often erythromycin) are given to prevent conjunctivitis (eye infection) caused by certain bacteria that can be present during delivery. 

Hepatitis B Vaccine: This vaccine protects against Hepatitis B virus, which can cause liver damage. The first dose is usually given within 24 hours, with subsequent doses at 1-2 months and 6-18 months.

To learn more about vaccines at the hospital, you can follow this link to UCLA Health

In Summery

I truly hope you found Parts I, II, and III helpful. I want to encourage you to consider hiring a doula (like me!) if you ever feel uncertain about navigating the hospital. Having a supportive guide can make all the difference in your experience.

Going solo is absolutely okay, but be mindful of the potential for information overload. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of links and resources, spiraling down a rabbit hole that might leave you feeling overwhelmed. A doula can help you stay focused and ensure you have the right information at the right time.

Investing in this support can provide peace of mind and empower you to make informed decisions throughout your journey. Your experience matters, and having a dedicated advocate by your side could turn what may feel like a daunting journey into a more manageable and positive one. Consider the benefits—it could be the best choice you make!

The post What Really Happens in Labor Part III appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

Just the Basics, mam

As a labor doula and birth photographer, I have attended my fair share of births. From home births to birth center births, hospital births, and emergency C-section births, I have found that the majority of parents know the basics, have done research, and generally know what to expect. Parents know about using a birth ball, they know they will have contractions, they know they will need to push a football out of their vagina. Most are super excited, but some are a little scared. Fear and anxiety about birth come from not knowing. Not knowing what happens beyond the breathing and pushing creates apprehension.

The goal of this blog post is to let you in on the little things that happen that you may not think of. Knowledge is power, and power over rules fear every time.

Hospital Birth

Generally speaking, parents, and mothers in particular, have more fear and anxiety around hospital births as opposed to home births or even birth center births. Please don’t come at me with hate, I am only generalizing here. Every birth and every person is different. Because I have seen the fear and anxiety most pronounced in the hospital, this is what I will speak of today.

Braxton Hicks or a Real Contraction?

So you’re sitting at home, sleeping in bed, or otherwise engaged in your everyday life when a full-on contraction happens. This doesn’t feel like simply tightening and relaxing like previous days. This feels somehow different.

Braxton Hicks contractions are the way for your body to get ready for the “real thing”. They are often felt in the front of the abdomen and can be relieved by changing position or resting. They are irregular and not particularly painful, just a tightening. A true labor contraction is far more intense and felt in the abdomen and wraps around to the back. True labor causes cervical dilation, so you may see a little bloody show in your underwear and/or leaking of fluid. Braxton Hicks does not cause dilation, so these things are not generally seen. If you are unsure which you are experiencing, reach out to your OB, nurse, or doula.

My Water Broke and/or Contractions are Starting!

Now that you have decided this is the real thing, many parents may want to rush to the hospital. We see that all the time in movies and TV shows, right? Assuming you are healthy and there are no medical issues that warrant going to the hospital immediately, you have time, so relax. It’s exciting to be sure, but if you are in early labor, hospital staff will send you back home anyhow. If you rush to the hospital, they will check you, and let’s say you are at 2cm, they will, generally speaking, send you back home. The hospital wants you to be in active labor, which means at least 5cm dilated.

Ok, so now you know you are staying home for a bit. This is a very good thing. You are more relaxed at home. You can walk around (or rest), take a shower, and have some food. All of which are heavily restricted when you go to the hospital. They want to monitor the baby, which restricts your movements; showers are not offered (but you can certainly request one, as most rooms have them), and food is a no-no.

Why is Food Withheld at a Hospital?

The long and short of this question is cesarean birth. If, for whatever reason, you need an emergency C-section, they do not want you to aspirate. You may be asking, “How would that happen if I am awake”? Good question. Sometimes emergencies arise so fast, they do not have time for an epidural (if you don’t have one to begin with), and they need to put you out fast and deliver the baby. That’s when the aspiration can come into play.

Contraction Timing at Home

If you time your contractions and not the intensity of them, you can pretty much determine when it is time to go to the hospital. “That’s a lot of pressure!” you may think to yourself, but it’s pretty easy. I would suggest a contraction timing app. Those are super easy to use. I always recommend the Freya app by the Positive Birth Company. Not only is it a contraction timer, but the affirmations are so helpful in remaining relaxed.

The timing is just part of the equation. Intensity is the second part. Are the contractions becoming more intense over time? You want this. You want the intensity to increase over time since that is an indicator of progression.

My Water Has Not Broken. Is this Really Labor?

Your contractions are here, and you’re timing them like the beast you are. They are becoming more intense. Then you realize your water hasn’t broken yet. You must be doing something wrong, right? No, you are doing nothing wrong. Your waters don’t always break during early labor. What happens during a contraction is your body’s way of squeezing from the top and moving baby down. The more it is squeezed, the more baby moves down. The more baby moves down, the more pressure on the waters.

In pregnancy, “frontwaters” and “backwaters” refer to the location. The “front waters” are located in front of the baby’s head, and a rupture here can cause a gush of fluid. The “backwaters” are behind the baby’s head, and a rupture here may result in a slower trickle.

The more pressure from the contractions, the more likely the waters will break.

When do I actually go to the Hospital to have my Baby?

A Loose rule of when you have reached or are close to reaching active labor is the 5-1-1 rule. Some say it is the 4-1-1 rule, but that personally makes me nervous; but use either one.

The 5-1-1 rule is this: You have a contraction every 5 minutes, lasting for 1 minute over the course of 1 hour. The contractions are increasing in intensity.

Contractions every 4/5 minutes: This indicates that the contractions are becoming regular and frequent. 

Each contraction lasts 1 minute: This means the contractions are becoming longer. 

This pattern has been happening for at least 1 hour: This signifies that the labor is progressing and becoming more intense. 

What Happens When I get to the Hospital to Have My Baby?

When you first get to the hospital, they will put you and your partner in triage. This is where they monitor you and check your cervical dilation to make sure you are in active labor. This can be a lot of waiting around. They will want to see a series of contractions, how you are handling it, and how the baby is handling it. If you have a doula or photographer, they will not be allowed in this area. If they decide you will be staying, they will usually put in an IV port in case you need fluid or Pitocin, or anything else. It’s a “just in case” IV port.

They will have you change into a hospital gown unless you have brought your own. I always advocate for bringing your own things. The less “hospitally” things feel, the more relaxed you are. The more relaxed you are, the less tension your body has to fight through to deliver baby.

In this triage space, they often give you and your partner paperwork to sign. Read through everything carefully. There will likely be a section on photography saying something like “photographing staff is prohibited”, blah blah blah. A birth photographer ALWAYS has the right to photograph you and your partner, even if the staff is off limits. Most don’t care, but some do. Most OBs don’t care about photographing the moment of birth, but some do. And nurses most always will tell you “no”. The OB has the last word on that. The hospital has to cover itself, and nurses tend to want to uphold it. Again, the OB has the final say.

I am in Active Labor and Transferring to a Birthing Room, What Now?

Ok, my fingers are going to fall off my hands, so I will end this here and do Part 2 in a day or so!

The post What Really Happens During Labor? Part 1 appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

Laboring at home

This momma was a nurse herself and frankly had no problem speaking up for herself. I was, of course, this family’s birth photographer, but also their labor doula. I was their doula “just in case” things went sideways. I arrived to do all the at-home laboring which I love. Mom, was completely in control and dug deep inside herself. Some mom’s to be are loud and proud and some look inward for their stability. She was the latter. I found myself wondering how to help or if I was doing anything at all. I voiced this later and she assured me that just being there was comforting and I hadn’t needed “to do anything”.

When contractions started to become more frequent and increasing in intensity, we all headed to the hospital. It was important to do this first bit at home. She was more comfortable, able to walk and do as she pleased, and reduced time actually in the hospital.

Heading to the Hospital when Active Labor Begins

Once at the hospital, the nurses did all the things, began an IV port, monitored the baby, and checked her cervical dilation. But that is when any hands-on “stuff” ended. It was only her, her breathing and deep concentration. This portion didn’t last long at all. She did most of the work at home and now she was going to meet her child.

A completely hands-off OB

I have never seen such a doctor listen so well and be completely hands-off. There was no coached pushing. No “1,2,3,4 PUSH“, there were very few people in the room, and there was dimmed lighting. Gone were the sounds of voices, the beeps of machines, and fingers on and in her vagina. The OB was there, but simply watching and not right on top of her.

Baby was Born into a Peaceful Environment

The baby girl was born and came out all on her own. No yanking baby out, no pulling, no guiding, and no yelling “Here she is!” It was calm. It was breathtaking. It was amazing.

Postpartum

These very calm parents, doctor and the nurses took such good care. I wished all OBs could be so accommodating. There was no rush. He waited to cut the cord until it was white and aided in delivering the placenta. There was no tearing. He calmly finished up, congratulated this couple, and silently left the room.

I hope you take the time to watch the video. Don’t expect a lot of screaming and fanfare, but instead watch the quiet determination of a strong woman and her equally strong partner welcome their baby daughter. A natural hospital birth can be accomplished.

The post A Natural Hospital Birth appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

Now, this birth was with two very special humans who I like to call new friends. October 4th was this little lady’s first day breathing air. Mom and Dad had some very specific requests. Hospital trauma is real and should never be confused with simply “not liking hospitals”. Trauma and reactions to it are visceral and can physically manifest. Doing everything possible to minimize additional trauma with childbirth was a task both the partner and I took on. I learned so much as their doula and photographer about managing trauma and feelings of crisis.

The partner showed me techniques they use called EFT Tapping for anxiety. He used it during labor quite effectively. There is not a ton that can be done with a hospital room setting, but going in beforehand, seeing the space and using visualization techniques were helpful. Letting them know exactly what to expect in the room and who to expect in the room was useful. Hospital birthing rooms can become quite crowded when pushing begins. Special essential oils were incorporated, low lighting and electric candles were brought in to make the space comfortable. One thing I always feel is essential is purchasing your own hospital gown. These gowns give the same access to doctors and nurses, but they feel better, look better and don’t remind you of being in a hospital.

The birth preferences for this beautiful momma didn’t go to plan exactly as written, but it was close and she has an amazingly beautiful little girl.

Ready to inquire about labor support and birth photography? Doesn’t cost anything to send a message to me. Talk to you soon!

The post A Pasadena Birth story: Huntington Hospital appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

A couple things may happen at this point. Either the prices are going to be there or you have to “contact” for the price list. Either way, you get your answer and you ARE BLOWN AWAY. Why on earth would birth photography be so expensive and in some cases rival that of wedding photography? This is the question I am here to answer, but before that, let me explain the why we do this work.

I am going to tell you we all have a passion for birth. We love it and if we could give it away, we would, because we believe it is that important. Alas, it is hard work and we need to feed our families and we need to charge accordingly.

On Call time

Imagine for a moment, someone asks you to photograph their wedding. They give you an approximate date, but tell you in could happen at anytime a couple weeks around that date so you have to be ready. Heck, the wedding can be in the middle of the night, so be ready! Don’t be sleeping the night away or out at a party skunked. It doesn’t matter if we are throwing a birthday party for our kids or it’s Christmas morning, when we get the call that the wedding is now, we must go. We are owned for the 2-3 weeks prior to an estimated date.

Challenging Lighting

Buckle up Buttercup, it’s going to be a dark ride! Ok, so we have grabbed our gear and snacks. We have placed our kids at a babysitter (who by the way are expensive since they are on call too) and rushed to the home/ birth center/ hospital only to see the lights so dim that one can barely make out the zipper on the camera bag.

Going back to the wedding scenario, not only do we not know when the wedding will be, but we will be asked to shoot in the dark, by dimmed light, those twinkle lights and then that dreaded ultra bright spot light doctors use during the delivery.

We, the photographers, need to know how our camera works. We don’t shoot in “AUTO” mode, we need to get creative with shutter, aperture and ISO. Most use full manual mode to create the beautiful images you see. If a flash is used, knowing how to use it is imperative. Most flashes are also in manual mode to burst the right amount of light for a given situation. This flash is bounced and never pointed directly at anyone especially a laboring mother or newborn. Flash is bounced from the ceiling, a side wall or even a wall behind us. We go through great pains for the laboring mother and those attending not to be aware of the flash.

Where do you think that knowledge comes from? For some, how to use a camera comes from schooling. For others, it’s self taught. Equally important is the camera equipment. The camera absolutely needs to be able to handle low light situations and the flash should have manual mode as well. The batteries within the flash should be lithium so each burst of light has the same power and consistency.

The walls might be painted a relaxing earthy green, a calming blue or a combination of colors. What’s the big deal you ask? Well, whether flash is used or not, the dreaded color cast on the birth pictures is a real concern.

Labor Can Be Quick or Take a Long Time

Ok, so we have arrived at the mystery wedding (your birth!), but we have no idea how long we will be there. Labor can be quick or take several hours. Birth photographers stay no matter how long. We aim to arrive when you are in active labor (around 6 cm) and stay around 90 minutes postpartum or after the baby exam. The length of time in between is anyone guess. We may miss birthdays and holidays with our family. We could miss vacation time, recitals, plays, actual weddings, you name it.

As a birth photographer, we may have booked a couple of births within a month. It is not unheard of to finish one birth to begin another right afterwards. Sleep? What is that?

Editing Time

Are you tired of the wedding scenario yet? I hope not, because here we go! Birth is an event as big as any wedding. There are many many hours of editing to do. We are not done because the birth is over. However; unlike a wedding, parents want those images like yesterday. We edit, edit edit. Circling back to the wall color, this can take many hours if we have to edit out color cast from faces. Granted this is more documentary than a wedding is, but the same effort is given to each image.

So There You Have It

As much as we love this genre and believe in it on a visceral level, it is a lot of work. It’s not something we can give away even though we absolutely love it. It is time consuming and technical. I haven’t even mentioned camera costs, flash costs and software for editing. We also have business licenses and insurance to keep current. There are workshops to help us continuously improve our craft, organization dues and website maintenance costs. We are business owners. We love our business, but we need to treat as a business.

So yes, it can be expensive. I fully understand that. But now, I hope you have an idea why.

The post Why is Birth Photography so Expensive? appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

A professional birth photographer understands first and foremost how to shoot in low light. Most home births and birthing center births have low lighting. This is used in order to make a calm birthing space. Hospitals also tend to have low lighting except for the exceptionally bright hot spot light aimed your lady bits. Now that is challenging light! In any case, we need to know how to utilize the light and we need to have the correct gear to accomplish that. For those that use flash (I do), they need to know how to use it correctly as to not disrupt the the birthing person and the birth space energy.

The birth photographer also needs to know where and when to move around. This really comes with time and practice.You should have seen my first birth, I was in everyone’s way! Thankfully, they were all very gracious and I learned. Along the same lines if you are squeezed into a corner, a seasoned birth photographer will know how to work that corner. Trust me, I have been there too.

Finally, a professional birth photographer will make the images look good. What that means, is that we know the angles, the lighting and how to capture it in a way that is tasteful yet authentic. Documenting your story in its entirety is our goal. You are your story. Your partner, your birth team and how your amazing fortitude and strength brought your child to your arms is your story.

If you would like to know more about the birth photography services I offer, as well as pricing, please click here.

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At the end of the crazy year known as 2020, a gentleman from the magazine ShoutOut LA contacted me. He asked if I would like to be interviewed for their start up magazine. I gave them a resounding Heck yea! It seems I always have so much to say! However; they shot me some real zingers that I really had to think about. I had to be brave and really tell my story of how I came to Los Angeles and continued my work as a birth and maternity photographer.

I invite you to read my interview with ShoutOut LA Magazine here

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So 2020 has been a bit of a whammy, hasn’t it? I have really neglected my beloved blog. Being the last day of 2020, it is fitting I make this year in review type of post. The last entry was in July and so much has happened since then! I have had several maternity sessions during COVID.

With hospitals not allowing birth photographers in and birth centers doing a reduction in support people allowed to attend, I have turned my focus to three things.

Doula Certification

The first is I am in the process of getting certified as a Doula. This is something I am really excited about! It not only allows me to grow as a birth worker, but will further my skills in holding space for the laboring person and partner. What does that mean though-holding space? It simply means being physically, mentally and emotionally present without judgement. “The person who is holding space helps set the tone for a kind, curious, and judgment-free interaction where the other person can be vulnerable, and like the term says “have space.” 

Maternity Sessions During COVID

The second thing I have focused on during 2020 is studio maternity photography. Maternity sessions during COVID are alive and well. Several online courses and webinars have led me to really excel in this genre. I have also been entering images into photography competitions which is something I have never done before. Winning a bronze in the RISE International Photography Competition motivated and pushed me to excel.

Website optimization

Finally, I have worked hard on this website. If you are visiting again, you will see it is much faster loading. There was a time for most of 2020 that the website was as slow as this year was long! My invaluable website builder, Tom, has put up with endless emails and phone calls from me and, well, I am incredibly indebted to him for what you are seeing now.

I look forward to a wonderful year ahead filled with growth, love and births!

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