Does your birth photographer work with a backup? - Portland Birth Photographer

Occasionally I have the fun opportunity to be a backup for other photographers in the area in the event of illness or emergency. Its important we work as a community to hold space for birthing families. This was from last year, finally getting a moment to go through and share some of my favorites ❤


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Some are censored due to fb being scares of nipples

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The Birth of Avery - Portland Birth Photographer

This birth story gives me all the feels, the strength and power of our bodies is a never-ending magical journey. Several days of prodromal labor lead to exhaustion and high emotions, part of my role as a doula is to hold space for all emotions. With feelings of unknown, defeat and just negative energy we set out for Target, we roamed the dollar section, looked at baby clothes and just let the Target oxytocin vibes flow. Each aisle brought a contraction a little stronger and closer together, no I am totally not kidding! haha! 

We headed back to their home where we watched Coco and just let the evening take us in. Surges continued and I decided to head home and sort out my childcare for the next day as I knew we were headed in the right direction. Shortly I received a text that contractions had increased and continued to grow in strength so I headed back over. 

It was go time.

Into the evening contractions continued and closer they surged through her body. We connected with her midwife and the team headed over. We filled her tub, warmed it with boiling pots of water. Tiffany made her way to the tub and felt at ease as she stepped in. Often it can feel as if labor slows upon entering water, she was able to completely relax between contractions as Adam and I swapped washcloths and hand squeezing duties. Tiffany progressed beautifully and truly found her rhythm. 

Within a few hours of her birth teams arrival she felt a bit pushy, with each breathe her body brought baby down. The natural ejection reflex took over and with each contraction she came closer to meeting her new little love. 

Avery joined us around 4:45am, she was just absolutely beautiful- ready to eat and snuggle with her family.   

Welcome Home Little Love

What a beautiful in home session this was, I sat and listened to their birth story while mama fed her new little love in the comfort of her living room. 

She told me she just wanted to photograph them doing life and I loved every piece of that request. She also let me know that these are the final days with their beloved Boxer, she wished to celebrate his life and honor his memory with photos of his curiosity of the new addition. This session was everything and I hope you all enjoy. 

Portland Maternity Photographer

A couple weeks ago I had a creative chat with my mother, I wanted to do a full on creative maternity session, to team up with a local makeup artist and market some all inclusive packages together. I had a vision of lace and lots of dye and my mother is a huge Goodwill bins shopper and well you can get just about anything and everything at the bins if you set your mind to it. She pulled some vintage lace table cloths, different textures, colors and sizes and brought them over to my house. Two patterns stood out to me, I bleached everything she brought to me to try and match color and just started in on cutting a gown. I actually don't work off of patterns so I just did some draping on a DIY mannequin. I knew I wanted a dramatic train with a pooling skirt, the patterns of lace were absolutely perfect and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect material to work with. When the gown was finished I was blown away, I couldn't wait to see this on my beautiful friend. 

Model: Kirstyn Lundquist of Sweetmint Photography

MUA: Jessica Smith 

Floral Crown: Flowers by Alana

Birth Photography Voucher Giveaway

Oh myyyyy! In celebration of my very first International publication and to ring in the New Year with new babies ❤ I'm giving away a $1,000 Birth Story Voucher for any of my three photography or film packages. 

(Doula package or regular sessions outside of birth are not eligible) 

To enter follow the link and fill out the form

https://goo.gl/forms/aW21SQktzupgAuq02

Bonus points for all the love follow @jessiephotodoula on IG (www.instagram.com/jessiephotodoula) 

"Like" this fb page to see our winner announced February 1st, 2018. Entries must be received by January 31st. www.facebook.com/jessiephotodoula

Fine print: must be redeemed within 2018, remaining amount due after voucher is due upon booking. Must be 30 miles from zip code 97030.

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Welcomed VBAC

What an incredible mama, she had been working toward a VBAC in healing from her previous birth story. As she approached 42 weeks, her plans looked like they were going to change to a family centered cesarean. The day I arrived for her scheduled Cesarean I walked into a gorgeous laboring mama soaking in the labor tub. She spoke softly, spoke lovingly and ultimately welcomed every wave that came over her. 

Her body knew what to do, she had been here before, each surge she felt baby descend and her body opening. Her doula beautifully choreographed a labor dance that was calming for her. Her provider visited, his support and warmth filled the room I will most definitely be referring to this provider at Salmon Creek! 

At 8 cm mama requested some rest an received her epidural while she progressed to complete and labored down. The rest of the family arrived where we laughed and talked about how excited we were to see this little new love's face. Big brother was really excited and very curious to the birth process, he asked lots of questions and was such a great little doula in training. 

The urge to push was near, mama utilized a labor bar to work with each wave and she received her baby boy into her own arms and on her terms. Thank you for having me for this journey, truly an honor :-) 

"we've prayed for you for so long"

What an incredible birth journey to be a part of. I met these two through mutual friends, they had interviewed me and invited me to be a part of their birth team. 6 years of waiting and love went into bringing this sweet girl earthside. Watching her mother birth with such strength, empowerment and informed birth decisions was just beautiful. I was brought to tears as everyone could feel the overwhelming amount of support in the room. Thank you for having me part of your story, I am so honored! 

Welcome Graham

The natural light coming in was just magic, his eyes wide awake but so sparkly and full of wonder. I had a beautiful session while mama and papa were able to take some self care time.