As a birth photographer documenting families in Colorado Springs and Denver, I’ve had my work published in many magazines and newspapers, on book covers, blogs and social media accounts. I grew up hearing only horror stories about birth and messages from media and culture about labor as something to be feared, that the pain is more immense than anything imaginable. I am glad that these publications are starting to tell a different story because I’ve seen first hand, and experienced with both of my own births, that birth can be peaceful, empowering, and inspiring. Those positive stories about birth need to be shared more often and I’m happy to bring light to the aw and wonder of all birth experiences.
Baby Dove reached out to use my video clip of the moment of birth in their commercial about the importance of microbiomes after birth.
Check out 14 seconds in to see the water birth they chose.
Cosmopolitan Magazine shared my image, along with others, celebrating the beauty of water birth. Did you know that laboring in the water reduces the need for drugs and interventions, lowers the c-section rate, reduces perineal trauma, provides significant pain relief, among other benefits? There are so many benefits to water birth.
I have participated early on in the movement of Birth Without Fear. One of my images went viral and they shared the love of this bi-racial family just moments after they gave birth to their baby in the water at Roots Birth Center in Minneapolis Minnesota.
The Huffington Post wrote an article all about midwives and their incredible role in birth, whether it be in the hospital, at home, or at birth centers. The midwifery model of care is to partner with a woman and partner with her in her experience. Oftentimes midwives wait, trusting the process of birth, that there is no need to rush and that babies come when they are ready. When complications arise, midwives step in and intervene. This article in The Huffington Post shared photographer’s images from around the world, celebrating midwives and their integral role in assisting women in bringing their babies earthside.
It was also an honor to have my birth photograph selected to be published on the cover of the amazing book Birth Your Story by Jaime Fleres. We know that our birth stories matter and they will stick with us for the rest of our lives. We will be telling our birth stories until we are old and grey, so if you’ve ever wondered how to write your birth story of if you’ve been putting it off, grab this book. Writing down your story can help you process your journey, heal from trauma, honor your experience, and transform your future. You can purchase Birth Your Story here.
The Star Tribune, the local Minneapolis and St Paul newspaper wrote an article about the shift from dads taking the pictures at the birth to dads being IN the pictures at the birth of their child – a big reason why I saw a need in professional birth photographers. I realized that dads should not be thinking about capturing the moment. I wanted to free them from thinking about pictures and allow them to be fully present in a transformative experience in their life – becoming a dad for the first, or second, or tenth time. Plus having photos of dad holding baby for the first time are going to be some of mom’s favorite pictures from her birth. To see dads so vulnerable, emotional and in love is priceless. This family delivered their baby at The Minnesota Birth Center.
I was also awarded as one of the top maternity photographers in Colorado Springs on Expertise.
What a great compilation! I love seeing how Birth in the media has changed so much, even since I started birth work ten years ago. There is so much more positivity and focus on the experience. Awesome job being part of this much needed change! You are an inspiration!
Sharing birth stories is definitely helping birthing women see a whole picture birth allowing them to enter into one of the biggest and most life changing moments with knowledge and therefore power. What a beautiful collection of images. You should be proud to be part of the changing landscape of birth in this country.
wow. congratulations on being in ALL these publications. yes, i agree that birth needs to be photographed and shared around the world to remove any fear around childbirth. beautiful birth images.