I can’t believe I never posted the second half of this birth! The first half was the maternity session- during which, the mama got a call from the doctor saying to come to the hospital right away. Within the next 24 hours they were doing an emergency cesarian because of heart complications… and then we met Dan! It was sudden and so scary but he made it, and life hasn’t been the same since! Mom, Dad and baby Dan are all thriving… and Aunt Jesse is crying while writing a blog about it 7 months later :)
Ingrid and Piero
Engagement Session // Houston, Texas // July 30
Watching My Sister Become a Mother
The reverence I have for a new mother’s journey has reached new levels, friends. And that’s saying something! My twin sister, the BEARER OF LIFE, has always taken care of me and my heart. She has joined in escapades, forgiven more than she should have had to, and always made me feel seen, safe, and special. Now, as she embarks on the adventure of motherhood, her nurturing spirit shines brighter than ever. I’ve felt such a deep sense of gratitude for the woman she has become. Her strength, her resilience, her capacity for love—have all been amplified. Witnessing Jenny, the shy kid who used to disappear into books and throw laundry at me when she was mad, become this new assertive yet gentle iteration of herself has filled me with awe for our capacity to grow and change. In her, I see the epitome of beauty—the beauty of a woman, the beauty of life, the beauty of love … It knows no bounds.
The Price of Capturing Priceless Moments: The Investment in Birth Photography
As an artist and birth photographer, I often encounter inquiries that revolve around the cost of my services. It's understandable—birth photography is an investment, and the price tag reflects more than just “some photo” or one day’s work. Here's a glimpse into why birth photography costs what it does… and why it's worth every penny.
1. Specialized Skillset:
Birth photography requires a unique set of skills. It's not just about having a good camera, having an eye for photographic exposure and composition, or even having a degree in photography (which I do); it's about knowing how to exist in a vulnerable, high emotion and sometimes even medically critical space. You are paying for someone to know how to flow from “invisible fly on the wall” to “calming sturdy presence” to “joyful cheerleader”, while capturing the raw emotions, fleeting moments, and beauty of the birthing process. The expertise developed through networking and experience contributes to the premium associated with this specialized craft.
2. 24/7 On-Call Commitment:
I can’t emphasize this one enough… Birth is unpredictable. I commit to being on-call for my clients 24/7 during the weeks surrounding their due date. This means not going to weddings, on trips or making conflicting personal or professional commitments so I can be ready to rush to the birthing location at any hour, regardless of plans or the time of day.
3. Equipment and Backup Systems:
Quality photography equipment is a must for capturing the essence of birth. Additionally, having backup systems and redundancies ensures that technical failures won't compromise the once-in-a-lifetime moments I am there to capture. This includes a main camera, a back up camera, multiple lenses, physical storage, online storage, software fees, etc. Thousands and thousands of dollars.
4. Post-Processing Time:
The job doesn't end after the last contraction. Hours of post-processing are dedicated to refining each image, ensuring that the final collection is a stunning representation of the miraculous event.
5. Professionalism and Reliability:
Clients are not just paying for photographs; they are investing in professionalism and reliability. My commitment to both aspects sets the experience apart.
8. Customization and Personalization:
Each birth is unique, and so is the approach to capturing it. Tailoring my services to meet the specific needs and desires of each client ensures a personalized experience that goes beyond simply taking pictures. What you want captured, what you don’t want captured, what you need from me. It’s all important and I honor it to the best of my ability because this is YOUR story.
In essence, the cost of birth photography is a reflection of the time, dedication, skill, and priority invested in doing this work. It’s not for everyone but for those drawn to it, I believe it is so so worth it.
Deirdre
When I got to the hospital, Deirdre was just chillin. Her progress had slowed so after I had been sitting for the corner for a while she said “Jessica, tell me your story”… so I did. We spent the next 12 hours together and she told me her story too. We had a lot in common, so much it was sort of eerie! Then she told me about her whole journey to motherhood. It is her story to tell so all I will say is that this baby was SO wanted. The years, the money, the pain and disappointment and the determination it took for this mamma to get to this moment was… staggering. She wanted this baby with her whole being and didn’t give up until her daughter was in her arms. It was beautiful and powerful and I am so happy for them!
Award Winning Birth Photographer over here... NBD :)
I am very excited to announce that one of my photos placed 3rd in its category in a showcase of amazing work by super talented birth photographers from all around the world! It feels like such an honor to be recognized amongst a group of my peers and their stunning artwork, especially after having to take most of the year off from shooting because of two surgeries. The image I submitted is from the first birth I photographed (of some of my closest friends at the birth of their youngest son). I am so passionate about this work and am posting this with such a full and grateful heart!
Check out the galleries of winning images here… mine is in the “birth team” category!
If you want to make God laugh, tell her your plans!
It was 21 days after her “due date”. Kez had been transferred to a hospital by her midwife, she was induced, labored for 10 hours with no pain medication and limited movement, elected to get the epidural after strong and constant contractions with very little time in between, and four hours later was not dilating. By the morning they had done a c-section, which her photographer (me) was not allowed into the OR to capture… BUT Esme had arrived, and mom and dad were so happy!
I was honored to witness the strength AND surrender both parents embodied throughout, as well as the amazing faith and love. Birth, however it goes, is so powerful!
A Quiet Hospital Birth
Birth Session // Houston, Texas // January 12
Jenny
Portrait Session // Houston, Texas // November 23
“Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror. But you are eternity and you are the mirror.”
―Kahlil Gibran
Atlas
Birth Session // Houston, Texas // September 20
Miss Anna Locke, in perfect time... Me, JUST in time!
I ran into the birth center after getting a text that said “the baby is racing you”. From the hallway, I heard a midwife shout “She’s here!” with glee… Then I opened the door to this ✨
There’s so much I could say about this birth. I could talk about these people and who they are to me- how I have loved and grown with them for almost 15 years. I could list the times they’ve been part of moments that have changed the course of my life- drastically, for the better. I could reflect on how wild it is that the first birth I ever experienced was that of their first child, years ago. It was the one that planted the seed of love I have for this work.
But for now, in this post, I will just express my immense gratitude and joy for the mysterious, divine design that got me here- in the birth space. With these beautiful humans. Again :)
