When I learned toward the end of 2016 that birth photography was a thing, I had no idea how my life here in the Twin Cities would change and how immensely fulfilled I would feel after I embraced this incredible subject and the unpredictable lifestyle that goes along with it. The joy, strength, and love that I felt and witnessed at each of these births (and so many more!) was life affirming, overwhelmingly wonderful, and supremely fulfilling. These are some of my favorite moments of my birth photography career over the last year and, honestly, some of the very best moments of my life. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed capturing them.
If you're looking for a Twin Cities birth photographer, visit this page and then contact me to get the ball rolling! I provide birth photography services in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding suburbs too!
*all images shared with permission and gratitude*
15. This lovely mama was touring her hospital in Minneapolis when her water broke. They were admitted immediately but didn't meet their little girl until over a day later after a long, hard labor. Her birth partner was so incredibly supportive and I was thisclose to featuring him here but I wanted to showcase mama's strength and tenacity instead. (Ah, I just have to! See a bonus image of papa at the bottom of this page!)
14. This is postpartum: breastfeeding on cue, mesh undies, breasts brimming with milk, a lovely still-round belly, and settling in at home as the newest version of you. Prenatal and postpartum sessions are included in my Birth Story packages.
13. I love the stillness of this moment. Mama is laboring down while papa watches the clock. Little did they know that they'd be meeting their sweet babe ohsovery soon!
12. Look at that cute little vernix-covered baby bum! This babe was placed on his mama's chest immediately after being delivered and then was covered by a blanket. If it wasn't for this quick shot, his parents might never have known just how cheesy he was and how lovely his cord was!
11. Sometimes birth happens really really really quickly. This baby was born less than 15 minutes after I arrived at the hospital, which was only minutes after mama, papa, and their fantastic doula arrived, and only 18 minutes after I was called in. What a timeline! Mama's labor was fast and intense, and don't you just adore that look of love and joy she's sharing with Papa?
10. Ohhhh my heart! When brand new babies lock eyes with their parents for the first time, I almost always shed a tear (read: sob.). I'm so glad this amazing couple got to experience their sweet babe's gaze just after her birth.
9. I loooove capturing one last shot of the belly before baby arrives as a birth photographer in the Twin Cities. This one, mid-contraction, is a favorite.
8. Isn't that cord incredible? It's still pumping blood from the placenta at the moment of birth! And can you see dad's hand tightly gripping mama's as she powered through one last push? The best!
7. All eyes on babe. Tear-filled, relieved, and overjoyed eyes. It is such a treasure to be able to preserve these emotions for my families.
6. This wonderful moment of stillness as mama rides out the waves at home in St. Paul is so peaceful. And...
5. ...This moment, which has a completely different feel, is yet another reminder of just how crazy and beautiful birth can be. And though you can't see much of her, I love knowing that mama's midwife is right there caring for mama and helping her work through her contractions.
4. This birth in St. Paul, which was the first birth of 2018 that I documented, was such a wonderful experience. A homebirth attended by midwives with an immensely supportive partner and an excited big brother waiting in the wings! I couldn't pick just one!
3. Birth photography isn't the only thing I do! I also offer Real Postpartum sessions to families in the Twin Cities, which feature mamas breastfeeding their babes. This session, which took place earlier this year with a past birth client of mine, remains a favorite.
2. Homebirth has such a special place in my heart and this mama rocked her birth at home. She was confident, trusting, and delivered her babe in a hands-off birth.
1. And last but certainly not least, we have this. This moment, where mama and baby are both learning how to breastfeed, where papa is examining an adorable foot, where the placenta is still connected to the baby it coexisted with for oh so long... This moment is everything and this moment is fleeting, over in an instant but not soon forgotten. And this moment, and every other moment shown here, and ohsovery many more, are why I love being a Twin Cities birth photographer.
