This photoshoot was done in a studio in downtown Los Angeles at FD Photo Studios. They have several different studios depending on the look you are going for. This white room is popular. Almost as popular as the green dress.

If you are in need of pregnancy photos to celebrate this wonderful season of life, send me a message and I will make it happen!

The post Pregnancy Photoshoot in that green dress appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

This photoshoot with Esther was everything I had hoped—except for the mass amount of people. Oh my gosh, there were people everywhere! However; I have now become the clone expert. Haha-not really-but close enough. I really thought, mistakenly that a Thursday evening would find very few people on the beach in Malibu. I was wrong.

The place we were at had a ton of stairs and I have to give props to Esther. At 8 months pregnant, she was a trooper and handled the stairs like a fit athlete. The dress is pretty light and comes from my maternity wardrobe. When she saw the color, she was all over it. I agree, it is pretty stunning against the beach sunset.

Esther already has three beautiful children and had never celebrated in this way. She decided to opt for a beach maternity photoshoot. It fits her and her bubbly personality.

Ready to claim yourself and set up a maternity session? Contact he here.

The post Malibu Beach Maternity Photoshoot appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

During early labor (she needed to be at the hospital from the beginning), things ere pretty calm with lots of banter between them.

As labor progressed she and her partner rode the wave together until an epidural was needed. Sometimes a momma can get so exhausted that she can’t keep going. An epidural allows so much needed sleep.

Eventually it was indicated that a cesarean was needed. While not something this couple hoped for, it is their story. Their sweet baby was delivered healthy.

Cesareans, when needed, are absolutely life saving interventions. I am not a chest pounding yeller of “no more cesareans!!!” Quite the contrary. We are blessed to live in a time that saving the life of a mother and/or baby is easily accessible. I do have issues with the amount of C-sections our country’s maternal care has not due to emergency situations. Those that I take issues with are ones that are colored over as “necessary”. Like the woman who had one before. She shouldn’t automatically be forced to have another with subsequent children. Or ones where a baby is “measuring too big”, “advanced maternal age”, “labor not progressing” (sometimes, extra time is needed) and if its around a holiday, an OB may need to go out of town and some other reason can be used.

Sorry, I went off on a tangent! I can do that from time to time. Anyhow, a C-section in this case was medically necessary.

As I mentioned earlier, a beautiful healthy baby came into the world. For privacy concerns, the baby is not shown here. To say they were and are over the moon is an understatement. I wish them a lifetime of love. They truly rocked the birth♥

The post Cedars Sinai Birth Photography appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

If you are planning a holistic natural waterbirth with a medicine woman using anointing oil and chanting children who are smudging your space with sacred white sage, plans can and will change. Without thought and some preparation (like a list of preferences), something that derails in your plan can set your mind on fire and fill you with fear. Even if the hospital cannot grant some of your preferences, the mere fact that you know what may happen in each scenario will put you at ease, lessen fear and allow you to accept a birth story that is different from your envisioned one.

Does a doula help with birth plan preferences?

Yes. A hundred percent yes. I would be leery of a doula who doesn’t go over all scenarios. If your doula is simply writing down all your wants and then putting it on a nice sheet of paper for your doctor or midwife and neglecting to go over alternative scenarios, then they may be doing you a disservice. You should know what may happen in X scenario or Y scenario or even Z scenario.

Won’t I be sad if my birth doesn’t go to plan?

Firstly, remember there is no plan. There are preferences.

Secondly, if you have your heart set on a specific plan and it goes sideways and no thought has been put in to alternate scenarios, you may be sad. That’s not really for me to say. What I will say, is the better prepared you are, the less likely fear and anxiety will take hold should things go differently than what you envision.

Let me explain what I mean by preferences for different scenarios. Below is a quick example of a birth plan that I tend to use. What is in each category is entirely up to you. This is one I used for a recent hospital birth.

After the preliminaries such as who the birth person is, their support people, the EDD, allergies, etc., it looks something like this-

Labor Preferences

We wish to have a calm hospital birth. We will be using hypnobirthing techniques therefore
environment and language is very important to us. We would appreciate not using the words pain and
contraction and use surge , strength, power and intensity.

Monitoring

Intermittent monitoring is requested and preferably with a wireless unit so I can maintain mobility.

Environment

Sight- It is very important that the lights be dimmed throughout labor with use of electric tealights
and/or Fairy lights. Our doula and photographer will be taking photographs. She does have a flash unit
and if it causes distruption in my labor, she will turn it off.
Sound- We have our own music soundtrack.
Smell- We will have essential oils.
Touch- I may use a Tens machine during early labor. I will be wearing a hospital gown.
Taste- I plan to eat and drink normally. I will be bringing snacks and drinks to the hospital.

Pain Relief

Please remind me of the tools I do have which include my breathing techniques, visualizations,
massage, heat pack and cold pack, positive affirmations and shower. Please do not offer pain relief
as I will ask when it is needed.
Additionally I do not want any opioid pain medications, but will consider an epidural only if I am unable
to rest or unable to progress due to discomfort. I would like a “walking epidural” if possible to retain
some movement and awareness.

During Birth

Ideally I do not wish to be lying on my back. I would like to be in a position that promotes
UFO–upright, forward and open which facilitates a quicker and easier birth.
I do not wish to be coached to push, but rather follow the lead of my body and breathe baby down
so baby is born gently and calmly.

After Birth

I would like baby brought to my chest immediately after. If that is not a possibility, I would like my
partner to do skin to skin.
It is important for the environment to remain calm after baby has been born.
I would like delayed cord clamping until all the blood has gone to baby.

Assisted Delivery

Unless there is a medical Emergency

I would rather wait longer, than rush the process.
Unless the baby is in distress, I prefer to obstain from the use of any aggressive measures
including vacuum or forceps. There would need to be a significant medical need for
an episiotomy.

Unplanned Cesarean

I would like to request a gentle cesarean.
I would like to receive my baby to my chest immediately before cleaning or weighing.
Please ensure any electrodes are placed on back to not inhibit this important skin to skin time.
I would like to request delayed cord clamping.
I would like to see my baby being born, so please lower the curtain or have clear draping.
I would like the lights dimmed at the head end, so when baby is brought to my chest,
baby is not subjected to a bright light.

I would like my choice of music played in theater.
If baby needs to go to the NICU, then I want to be able to care for him/her as much as possible and
use my breast milk. I would like help to make sure this happens.

Anything Else

This is where you can put your desire to have the Vitamin K injection, eye ointment, or the HepB vaccine.

Thank you

Thank you for taking the time to read our birth preferences. I am looking forward to the birth of my
baby and planning for a positive and empowering birth experience. I believe this is possible however
my birth plays out. Thank you for supporting us in this very special time in our lives.

Will a hospital pay attention to my birth plan preferences?

It has been my experience that the nurses will read your birth preference and most midwives and OBs. Most are very happy to have it, but some are outliers and feel it is a waste. Will they be able to accommodate everything you have written? Not likely, but it is important that your support person has a vested interest in what it says so they can advocate for you when your energy is elsewhere. The way the above is written is non threatening, lets them know you have done your research and that you are prepared for different scenarios. I like to add the thank you at the end, reminding them they are appreciated, but it is your birth.

I hope this was helpful for you. If you have any questions or are think about a doula (and birth photographer!), feel free to contact me and learn more.

The post Are Birth Plans Reliable? appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

The thing is, we are all beautiful. People fill our heads with negativity with out even meaning to. I have heard people say to me (when I was pregnant) “Oh my, you are so big”. “Are you feeling ok?” (As if I wasn’t??). “You look tired”. All of these little phrases equate into “I must not be beautiful”.

That’s all crap. If you look at my maternity portfolio, not a single woman is a “model”. These are all real women who are expecting a baby. That’s it. Yet, they are all beautiful–both in the traditional sense of outer beauty, but more importantly in the sense that they are a human growing another human. That in itself makes them beautiful. That beauty is what shines through.

Meet Ariel. She is a normal woman who really is extraordinary in every way. While she was comfortable in front of the camera granted many others who are not and that is totally ok. I just wrapped up photographing her birth as well as being her doula (more on that later) and have just got around to sharing some of her exquisite maternity shots.

These were taken at FD Photo Studio in downtown Los Angeles. Ariel wanted light and airy and classic images. I believe that is what she got. I hope you love them as well.

The post Feeling Beautiful While Pregnant appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

What does U.F.O. stand for? Simply put, it means upright, forward and open. When having your body in this UFO position there is an astounding 28% more space in your pelvis that when you are lying on your back. Holy Cow Batman!

Why does it seem everyone lies on their back to give birth?

You see it in the movies–woman lying on her back in extreme pain, grunting, groaning, sweating, holding their breath, pushing. We are inundated with images of birth this way in books, television, movies and many birth photos you see online. Unless there is a medical reason or your body simply wants to, birthing on your back is just plain difficult.

Why is it difficult? For one thing, you are pushing uphill. For another you are closing off space.

Our coccyx bone usually tucks right into the pelvis, as your baby’s head descends it pushes the coccyx out of the way. If there is something blocking this move (like a bed if you’re lying on your back) it slows baby’s descent and makes life much harder for you both! —birth-ed

What are some upright positions for labor?

Glad you asked! Upright can include most anything that is not lying flat. It can be on a birth ball, swaying or holding onto your birth partner, in a shower chair, on the toilet, squatting, using a birth bar and even in a sideline position on the bed.

Ok, I get upright, but what is forward in the UFO acronym?

Leaning forward into your bump, either by leaning onto your partner, using a wall to lean on or using a birth ball helps open up the pelvis and encourages baby to move into positions easier for birth. No need to complicate it, your body instinctively knows the best position to be in, trust your own body.

The open part is easy.

If you are upright and leaning forward, you will be open. These positions (squatting, leaning over something, on all fours, kneeling) all help by reducing the length of the birth canal. A shorter birth canal means the baby has a shorter distance to go to get to the outside world.

I will be getting an epidural, do I have a choice of labor and birth positions?

You will be happy to know that giving birth on your back does not need to be your destiny when receiving an epidural. There is something know as a walking epidural. These are not “all-numbing” like the standard epidural, but it still provides effective pain relief. Contrary to it’s name, you are not going to go walk around, but you will have more range of motion than the standard epidural. This will allow you to move into different positions (with assistance) in the bed.

If you opt or need the standard epidural, blotting out all sensation, you are still not destined to a flat back delivery. The sideline delivery can work very well to keep you open. Including a peanut ball between your legs while on your side can be very useful.

I will go into the different epidural options and your range of motion in a subsequent blog post. In the meantime, keep on with UFO!!

The post Optimal Position for Labor appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

As time marches forward and your baby turns from being the little smooshie of love to the little baby that begins to crawl and laugh, you may start to feel the words I miss being pregnant resonate. The truth is while pregnancy can be hard, it is also the most amazing and magical time. The connection is unparalleled by feeling every turn, hiccup and kick into the ribs. You may turn to pictures to remember this season in your life.

While strolling down Nostalgia Lane, it is important to have those memories captured. Truth be told, any pregnancy photo (yes, even a selfie!) is important to have. While a professional pregnancy photo is not a necessity (yes, I said it!) it sure is a nice to have. Since this is an event that doesn’t happen all the time and you may capture many phone pics, try to make the time to have at least one professionally done. Bring your partner or other children you may have. On a personal level, it is an amazing gift to give the unborn child. It is a glimpse into a world s(he) has never seen. To see their parent(s) happiness and lives before they arrive is priceless. Think about your own parents for a moment. What would you give to see your mother holding her belly with you inside?

There may be many self beliefs that can stop you from taking a profession maternity portrait. These reasons may sound reasonable (yes, I know that’s not proper English-sue me ♥), but I assure you they are not.

Between eating everything in sight and your perceived cankles, it may seem like the perfect excuse to avoid a camera lens. I assure you, you are wrong and the regret will be real in months or years to come. You are amazing and beautiful and the fact that you are growing a life inside only adds to your beauty.

While this is not a blog post about birth photography, you will be happy to know, I offer pregnancy photos with your birth photography package. Not as an add-on, but offered complimentary with your birth package. You can see this here. However; if birth photography isn’t your thing, stand alone maternity packages can be seen here or you can view my maternity portfolio.

That’s it for now. The above photos were taken at my North Hollywood studio. She and her lovely partner will be giving birth in April. And yes, I plan to be there as her birth photographer and labor doula ♥

The post Why are Pregnancy Photos Important? appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

Chantelle wore a gorgeous pink body suit with a detachable pink skirt from Mama Bump Rentals. She chose this light feminine color to celebrate the birth of her baby girl due in July. If you would like more information about a stand alone maternity portrait session, please click here. If you would like more information about birth photography that includes a petite maternity photo session, please click here.

The post A Maternity Photo Session in Downtown Los Angeles appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

2022 started off with a bang. I attended a wonderful birth at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. A beautiful boy was brought to earth in the wee hours of January 4th. This was her second child and an induced labor. During my 24 hours there, I captured such wonderful and private moments. Not all parents want their images plastered all over the internet and I 100% respect that, but here are a few to share.

Where have I been?

As you can see this is my first post since September of 2021. Oh yes, it’s true–I have been a bit neglectful of the blog, but I have a great excuse! During the month of November and December, I am usually busy doing Santa photos. I started early November and it took me well into December to finish up the beautiful images of the many wonderful families that came to my studio.

What’s on tap for the rest of the year?

Births! Births! And more births! Oh yes, I have already booked 4 this year and am looking forward to seeing new bouncing babies!

I intend to write more about the childbirth process here in this blog. Spinning Babies workshops are coming up to enhance my doula offerings. Possibly furthering my education, I may get certified as a postpartum doula.

I can’t wait to see what the universe sends my way this year. I will gladly meet those things head on.

The post Welcome 2022 and baby boy Arthur! appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

The First Annual LIVE Image Evaluation Educational Event in collaboration with Exposing Birth and education brought to you by Birthbound Photographer took place July 19th/20th and was broadcast worldwide. I had the honor to be a part of the review panel.

Up at 430am to review the most amazing and breathtaking images along with other artists’ on the panel. I mean, I looked like a hot mess, but who doesn’t at that ungodly hour? Besides, entrants don’t care what I look like, it’s the feedback on the images they are looking for.

Exposing Birth

What is Exposing Birth? Exposing birth is an educational platform for not only new photographers, but seasoned professionals to up their game. There are podcasts to listen to, classes to purchase, presets, mock births to watch and so much more. Lacey Barratt, founder of Exposing Birth, is a pretty awesome human, doula and educational guru. Okay, guru might be a bit much, but she is an engaging, tell it like it is type of gal.

Birthbound Photographer

Birthbound Photographer is also an educational site for growing as an artist and professional birth photographer. The site was founded by Austin based photographer, Leilani Rogers. This is an excerpt from her site pertaining to why the site exists:

There is a lot of growth in front of us still. I hope Birthbound Photographer becomes a place where birth photographers feel nurtured and driven to work smarter. A place where we challenge each other to raise the standards that weigh our communities down… burn out, unsustainable wages, lack of proper training (to name a few). We are not average photographers… this work requires exceptional skill and understanding! And I have complete confidence that our amazing list of instructors (meet them here) can help you grow in all these ways and more.

International Association of Professional Birth Photographers

Both of these amazing groups made the First Annual LIVE Image Evaluation possible through the IAPBP-International Association of Professional Birth Photographers-of which, I am a member. This is an invaluable group. This group is forever trying to build up each artist and the genre. It provides awareness of birth photography to the public, holds annual image competitions and holds members to an ethically high standard. The public can also look for an approved artist in their area.

My hope is that birth photography will continue to grow and standards of the artists will continue to climb.

I love my job!

The post Birth Photography Educational Event appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.