Birth Photography and Doulas

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Adalia got the call on Friday afternoon…she is now a certified doula with PALS! I am so proud of her. She has worked hard for this, beginning with her doula training at Bastyr University back in 2010  to attending births and everything in between. The very next day, Saturday,  she was doula at the birth of sweet little Jameson.

{And because there is confusion every time I mention the word “doula” on my blog, let me make it clear: a doula offers physical and emotional support to a woman during and after labor. Doulas provide no medical care or advice. Here is the definition as given by PALS.}

I too was present at Jameson’s birth as photographer. Julie is a good friend of mine and the photographer who took the beautiful photo you see at the top of my blog!

You really, really must go check out the birth of Jameson over at Little Earthling Photography. I got the most amazing shots of him being born. It is all G-rated, I assure you, but oh so cool.

Birth Photography: Would You, Could You? {Bellingham Birth Photographer}

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when birth photography is mentioned? Is it “ew, yuck!” or “I wish I had photos of my baby’s births“?

Several articles have been written recently on the topic of birth photography and unfortunately, not all in a good light. I have been photographing births for over a year now, and I can truly say I am passionate about birth photography.

I am also a proud member of the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers, a group of photographers just as passionate as I am about birth photography.

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Birth is a sacred event…and those first moments of your baby’s life can never be relived…but with birth photography they can be remembered and remembered beautifully.

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Before I photograph a birth I meet with my clients to get to know them a bit. As we chat I find out just what shots are important to them. For some moms, it’s their partner’s reaction…to some it’s the moments just after birth. Some moms and dads want ever detail captured.

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At every birth I try to be the proverbial fly on the wall. I stay in the background.

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I capture the moments.

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The details.

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The relationships.

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Sure, dad can take some photos too…but not of himself at the birth.

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Or what about the view from mom’s bed?

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Or the moment she finally meets her little one for the first time?

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Or the moments mom misses while the doctors look over her little one?

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And c-sections? Those moments deserve to be captured as well.

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Every birth is a miracle and I try to preserve a small part of that miracle for each family I work with.

 

 

Back from the Birth

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Tami and her sweet baby girl. Click over to Little Earthling Photography to see more photos.

Wow, when I posted saying I'd be back "tomorrow" I never dreamed I'd be gone so long. Tami's labor clocked over 30 hours, but her baby was doing fine and Tami was absolutely incredible. We had a happy ending: sucessful VBAC and healthy baby.

Then I turned on my computer to blog this morning and it sounded like it was going to explode…so I had to copy everything from my hard drive on to an external "just in case". I am saving up for a new computer, but it seems to be dying faster than my money is growing.

And now I'm drowing in work…paperwork, homeschool stuff, personal stuff. 

I've got to turn off my computer before I regret it. 

See you soon!

Best and Worst Wednesday

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Best part about this week so far? Photographing baby Crew's birth.

Worst part about this week so far? A horrible headache yesterday afternoon.

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Best part about having a 15 year old daughter training to be a doula? The incredible education and life experiences she is gaining.

Worst part? Being on call for one of her births.

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Best part about having a 16 month old toddler? He's crazy adorable and developing such a cute personality. 

Worst part? He was up every hour or hour and a half last night :(

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You're turn. What are your best and worst so far this week? Feel free to share in the comments or leave a link to your post.