Capturing Joy Birth Services - Photography and Doula

01/20/2022

Time for a long overdue update, so I wrote a blog post (and of course couldn’t help including some of my favorite images from 2021!)

It feels strange to even begin typing these words as 6-7 years ago, I would never have imagined the day would come when I would NOT want to be at a birth almost every week! But after much soul searching and honest inquiry into my deepest desires for this season of my life, I have decided to take a s

04/16/2021

Social media has taken a backseat for me this year, but I’ve still been taking clients and have had the privilege of being part of many beautiful births, even during covid!
April is c-section awareness month, and I was honored to have one of my amazing clients from last fall featured in this Huffpost article highlighting c-section births! Photo #10!

A reminder: A cesarean birth is NOT the easy way out.

05/01/2020

Came across this image today from the last birth I attended before Covid-19 descended and my heart felt such a tight squeeze. Grandpa was holding his newest grandson at the birth center for the first time, and big brother was looking on in the background. Little did we know that in a few short weeks, that same scene wouldn't have been a possibility for most families in birth centers or hospitals. Times have changed so quickly, and my heart aches for the many families I know whose birth experiences have been dramatically affected by coronavirus. For the mama's who aren't able to have the doula support they had planned on, for the big siblings who aren't getting to meet their new baby brother or sister for days, for the grandparents who ache to hold the baby, but can only catch glimpses through windows and FaceTime. I've seen so much strength and resilience from birthing families and mamas I've talked to in recent days. But sweet mamas, I also want you to know... it's ok to not be ok right now. This is a lot. It's heavy. But there's hope, and you aren't alone. And if you need to talk, please reach out!

03/04/2020

"For when a child is born, the mother is also born again." Gilbert Parker
What were the first few days, weeks, months of the postpartum journey like for you?
For me, it has been different with each baby, but the one part that stayed the same has been the overwhelming flood of emotions. So many emotions. In no particular order, often with no warning. Many wonderful ones, some hard, some scary. My soul and heart had never felt so raw, so open. So filled up, yet so depleted. And yet with each child, I discovered things about myself I never even knew existed. Depths of love, resilience, and vulnerableness. With my first baby, I thought I could be supermom and hold it all together, do it all, all on my own. Sometime after I had my second, I finally found the strength to reach out for support, realizing that as much as my little ones needed me, I needed others. Each baby has taught me something new, and I've come to realize that being a mother means to be continually growing - heart, mind, and soul.

02/21/2020

As a mama who has experienced loss myself, this moment spoke so strongly to me! This sweet mama had experienced several devastating losses before conceiving this precious boy, and when he arrived, they couldn't stop gazing adoringly into each other's eyes. It was almost as if he was saying, "I'm here, mama! I'm safe! You can stop worrying... I'm yours to keep!"

02/10/2020

As I sit in prenatal meetings with doula clients, I often hear dads express concern about whether they will know how to respond or how to support their wife during labor. And I always reassure them that they will - their role in the birth is integral and irreplaceable. I am there as an experienced guide, a resource, offering skilled physical and emotional support based on my knowledge and experience. But my role can never replace the all-important role of the father and his words and touch that come from a place of deep love and unique understanding of his partner. This birth was a beautiful example of such a connection. As each surge came with a greater intensity then the one before it, he remained at her side. Saying just the right thing, offering just the right touch. Steady. Calming. Her anchor in these new and uncharted waters. And when the final wave had passed, and this warrior mama triumphantly clasped her newborn son to her chest, his eyes were beaming with pride and awe.

01/27/2020

“Just as a woman’s heart knows how to pump, her lungs know how to inhale, and her hands to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth.” Virginia DiOrio

11/26/2019

Nothing can quite prepare you for becoming a father

11/14/2019

This sweet couple hired me during labor with their first baby, and it's been such a joy to get to document all the birth of all three of their sons! Baby Miles decided to make his appearance on a gorgeous fall day at the beautiful Hygge Birth Center. Hygge Birth and Baby

Beautiful daytime birth of Miles at Hygge Birth Center.

11/06/2019

Brothers 🥰

10/31/2019

I love watching babies bond with their daddies! They recognize that familiar voice and instantly begin searching for their face to make eye contact. The instinct to seek human connection, even from birth, is amazing.

10/28/2019

Sharing Jaxon's birth story again today on his FIRST birthday! This mama is feeling all nostalgic and emotional as I look back on these treasured photos from his birth!

I’ve been wanting to sit down and blog Jaxon’s birth story for quite a while now - I seriously can’t believe it’s already almost been SIX months since this little man joined our family! So far he’s been the most easy-going of our three babies and fills my days with smiles, adorable baby-gi...