While photographing my first home birth in Las Vegas, Nevada, I quickly found myself playing the role of doula – setting down my camera to offer hip squeezes, reassuring the birthing person that they were safe and everything happening is normal. We were waiting for the midwives to arrive, and active labor had picked up much faster than anyone had anticipated – sooner than anyone but myself could arrive. When baby was born into dad’s hands, I was photographing the emotional scene playing out in front of me and noticed the cord was wrapped around the neck twice, making it hard for them to lift baby to mom’s chest. Before I could think twice, my body had already responded and I was practically in the tub helping them unwind baby. There was never any second guessing after that- I signed up for official training the very next day.

Soon after doula training, I earned a Certification in Lactation Counseling (CLC) and began helping mothers struggling with feeding issues. Things fell into place and soon I began working with a local IBCLC (who had also been a previous birth client) in her private practice, as well as working part time in a tongue tie clinic helping babies during surgery and post frenectomy. I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of babies in various settings, with varying feeding challenges, and a wide range of feeding goals.

I continued my photography journey in tandem with my baby support services, documenting the first breath of many babies who I have also had the pleasure of watching grow into big kids, and one day young adults. Many of my clients have become like family and I am honored to have been invited into their birth space, whether as photographer, doula, or both.