documenting the day that changes everything . . .
Childbirth is one of the most extraordinary moments mothers and father’s experience. There are moments of uncertainty, hope, faith, trust, and so much love. The art of capturing this pivotal time in a family’s life is something that takes birth knowledge, a quiet and peaceful presence, and unwavering support. Continue reading to learn about my philosophy on birth and to help you decide if I’m the right photographer for your journey through it.
home birth
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birth center
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in-hospital*
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home birth // birth center // in-hospital* //
birth matters
While it’s not the best choice for everyone, statistics are clear that for low-risk healthy women, choosing to give birth at home with a skilled and licensed midwife provides the best outcomes for both mother and baby.
The state of Texas (and much of the United States) has both incredibly high cesarean and maternal mortality rates that fall way above what ACOG (American College of Gynecologists) deem as acceptable standards.
Being selective and careful in choosing your care provider(s) during pregnancy is one of the most important things you’ll do before your baby moves from womb to earth. Your provider should hear your concerns with care and respect, and not try to convince you that your desires don’t matter.
This can be one of the most empowering days of your life as you pave your way through motherhood. Your body was designed to do this, and it is worth what you find of yourself on the other side of it.
my approach
Both my personal and professional experience surrounding childbirth has directly impacted me in deep ways. I have witnessed negative care providers in both settings. I have witnessed incredible care providers in both settings.
I’ve also both given birth in a hospital myself with my first baby, and went on to have three home births that followed that experience. The last of my babies was born breech at home.
With a supportive team, the proper education (thorough classes taken independently of a hospital), and the support of a doula, a hospital birth can be a beautiful experience and is sometimes the safest path for mamas to take.
Unfortunately, my experience documenting in the hospital outside of these parameters has left me feeling defeated and useless in situations that could have turned out so much better for mothers and babies had they just had what everyone is entitled to (full scope care not influenced by money-driven policies) in such a raw and delicate time.
Your intuition is built into your being for a reason, learning to trust it is the most important thing you can do as you propel yourself into the role as a mother. When a family has chosen a hospital birth after fully educating themselves, have cultivated a supportive birth team, and have hired a doula I am happy to consider documenting their special day for them. I am willing to photograph hospital births, but I am selective about the circumstances and want to make sure we're philosophically compatible.
we might be a good fit if . . .
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As you may have read above, both my personal and professional birth experiences have greatly influenced how I choose to work in the birth space. I feel deeply that women should be supported by their providers and not hindered by them. My own experiences with birth have deeply shaped the way I document birth stories.
I believe women deserve to be informed, respected, and supported throughout their births. Those beliefs influence the way I enter and document a birth space. -
You deserve to have your birth story to look back on, the day you became someone with the kind of strength you didn’t know you had in you. The goal is that you wouldn’t even realize I am there capturing the moments unfolding. I am unobtrustive and deeply respectful of the birthing environment.
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In the past I have not only pursued doula training and supported my birth clients with doula services alongside photography, but I’ve also spent time apprenticing as a student home birth midwife. That career path is currently on pause while I pursue my photography and home school my four children. I hope to go back to it someday, but for now it serves my clients well to know they are in knowledgeable hands should they need additional support in an emergent situation. I will absolutely not fulfill the role of a midwife or anything remotely close to it, but I do believe my clients benefit from knowing how to anticipate the quickly changing birth scenarios from clinical experience.
2018 Hospital Birth - Fairfield, CA
“I'm beyond grateful to have had my baby's birth photographed in such a beautiful way by Nicole. She was professional from the very first moment I inquired on and also calm, so kind, & friendly throughout all. Nicole quietly captured the special moments and I'll treasure them forever! It's not easy to photograph births and do so in a high quality, tasteful way. She does it and does it so well! She's a joy to work with and I without a doubt would recommend others to hire Nicole as well!”
- Jenna R.
2017 Home Birth - Davis, CA
“She was amazing! We had her at our birth and she was so unobtrusive and took amazing photos. She's so sweet, friendly, and very professional as well as thorough. We got our sneak peaks right away and can not wait to see the rest of our photos! Highly recommend her!”
- Ali B.
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FAQs
Do you document hospital births?
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Yes, but selectively. I will document hospital births if the parents have invested their time and energy into being fully educated by a thoroughly taught childbirth education classes. For example, Birh Boot Camp and The Bradley Method both offer very comprehensive childbirth education for parents and are worth every penny and minute of your resources. Classes offered at a hospital are geared towards making compliant patients, not for informing them of the many choices and autonomy they have.
Do you document planned cesareans?
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Yes, but also selectively. Most women who familiarize themselves with the term “gentle cesarean” will find that they too have far more options to request of their birth team during a surgical birth. You still have choices you can make in this scenario, including having a photographer present. This would require permission from your OBGYN to allow me into the operating room, however. If you are planning a scheduled cesarean, please speak to your OB about their policy on you hiring a birth photographer into the space before filling out the form below.
When do you arrive to a birth?
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Preferably when you are without a doubt in active labor. Coming before then can cause you unnecessary stress and feeling like a “watched pot that’s never going to boil.” Part of the beauty of my birth work experience is knowing what to ask and watch for to choose the appropriate time to enter your birth space so that it is the least disruptive to you.
What happens if my birth happens quickly?
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It happens. My fastest birth was with my fourth and was under two hours from water breaking to baby born. My longest was with my first and I was in labor for roughly 15 hours. My photographer/videographer made it for the whole thing because of her professionalism and experience, and my keen sense of knowing when it’s time for me. If your birth ends up earning you “race horse status” as my doula liked to call it, then of course I’m getting there as quickly as humanely possible. But, sometimes things happen so quickly that not even a midwife makes it or you’re in the hospital parking lot pushing out a baby. If these (unlikely) scenarios go down, I still show up as soon as possible and capture what I can, but you can certainly expect a freebie or two thrown in to make up for the missed coverage. When precipitous birth happens, it’s no one’s fault, but it is a real thing!
What happens if my birth happens before my due date?
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An estimated due date (the date you’re given that marks 40 weeks of pregnancy) is exactly what it’s called, and estimation. Most women, according to statistics, go into labor spontaneously at 40 weeks + 4 days of pregnancy. Some women go into labor at 37 weeks, and some at 43. The wide range of “normal” is quite literally 37-43 weeks. When I go “on call” for a birth client, that time begins at 37 weeks and ends when you have the baby up to 43 weeks. That means I am not out of town, I have a birth bag prepped, I have a backup on the ready just in case my life doesn’t go according to plan, and I am ready to jump at a moments notice. If you go into labor before 37 weeks and I am unable to attend your birth, then your amount paid will be refunded (minus the non-refundable retainer) and your retainer may be applied to another service of mine. If I am able to attend your birth prior to 37 weeks, the signed agreement will remain valid.
Do you travel for births?
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This depends, on a lot of factors. Under the right circumstances, yes I am willing. If you’re further than 90 minutes from Houston, TX area and want me to attend your birth, please reach out with as much detail as possible.
How far in advance should I book?
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The earlier the better. I take on very few birth clients in order to be present for my family. If you are at least 12 weeks pregnant, you can claim your date. If you are under 12 weeks, please still reach out as I can place you on a priority booking list with a smaller retainer to be applied to your birth total once you hit 12 weeks of pregnancy.
book a birth consultation
I would love to be a peaceful presence in your birth space capturing all of the beauty that unfolds. Ready for the next step? Let’s hop on a call together and chat about your birth goals. This allows us both to see if we make a good fit for one another. Submit this form and I will be in touch within 7 business days, usually sooner.