I'm Danielle, and I believe your birth matters.
You meet your baby for the first time only once. It is a joyful, heart wrenching, and oh-so-fleeting moment. I'm here to ensure that moment is documented.
Whether you've had ten children or this is your first, birth is the most transformative moment of your life- it changes you at your core. I will be there as your photographer or doula every step of the way, no matter how your birth unfolds.
Why Should I hire a Birth Photographer?
THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS TO HIRE A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER!
1) You meet your child for the first time only once. Such an important moment deserves documentation!
2) A birth photographer acts as your second set of eyes, and can show you things you were not able to see from your vantage point
3) Photographs can help you process and reflect on the events of your birth, and can be healing.
4) Hiring a professional allows your partner to be fully present for the birth without having to worry about taking photos.
What is a Doula?
And why should I hire one?
Essentially, your doula is your birth bestie! Your guide through pregnancy, labor, and birth. As a doula, I am a trained professional whose goal is to educate, advocate, and bring physical and emotional comfort to you during your pregnancy and birth.
STUDIES SHOW THAT PEOPLE WHO USE DOULAS ARE:
-Less likely to use pain medication during labor
-More likely to have a vaginal birth and avoid and cesarean
-More likely to feel satisfied and empowered with their birth experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula?
What does it mean to be "on-call?"
If hired as both, how do you balance the doula and photographer roles?
What happens if you can't make it to my birth?
What if I want some, or all, of my photographs to be kept private?
What are your qualifications?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained birth professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth. Doulas can help empower clients to advocate for their needs, provide physical comfort during labor and birth, and positively impact the entire family's wellbeing.
What does it mean to be "on-call?"
Being on-call means I am fully available to you 24/7, day or night, and ready to join you whenever you are ready. I do not travel more than 30 minutes from home, I do not engage in any activities that would interfere with driving, and I have my phone on and nearby 24/7. It also means I have gas in my car, and my bags packed and ready!
If hired as both, how do you balance the doula and photographer roles?
The key to this balance is rooted in intuition. I know when a person needs my full attention and hands-on physical support. Likewise, I recognize when giving space is okay, and during these periods I pick up my camera to document the scene. During labor, my primary role is often doula, but I photograph during noteworthy moments (position change, sweet partner support, etc). As transition nears, I take a step back as the midwife or doctor steps in. During birth, my main focus is on photographing the big moment, while still providing words of encouragement from behind the camera.
What happens if you can't make it to my birth?
It is HIGHLY unlikely that I will not be able to make your birth since I am on-call for you, but I also know that life is unpredictable and things happen. I have a network of excellent backups. All of my backups are professional photographers AND trained birth doulas. If I cannot make it for some reason, I will send a backup. They will give me the images they take so I can provide editing and retouching.
What if I want some, or all, of my photographs to be kept private?
I deeply appreciate the chance to share any photos, but I also understand that some people wish for images of sensitive nature to be kept private. I have a tiered model release we will go over together, where you can choose your comfort level of which images I am allowed to share on my social media or website. Keeping all of your images private is ALWAYS an option if you wish.
What are your qualifications?
-I am a Certified Professional Birth Photographer through "Birth Becomes You."
-I am a certified Trauma-Informed birth and postpartum doula through "Rooted Birth"
-I am also a certified Birth and Bereavement Doula through "StillBirthday"
-I am an affiliate photographer with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
-Additionally, I hold an A.S. in Psychology
-I have the lived experiences of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.
