your birth story

“Birth will transform you. It is our goal to document your birth story as it unfolds: honestly, respectfully, and with intention. Images of your birth experience will tell the true story of your incredible strength and beauty as you bring your baby into the world. It is an honor to enter the birth space—and we take the privilege of being part of your birth team very seriously. We would love to get to know you and answer any questions you might have about the process and value of birth photography.”

— Bri & Randi, Our Birth Photographers

WHY HIRE A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER?

Your baby's birth day is a life-changing event—for you, your loved ones, and your baby! Many of our clients have shared with us that the details of their incredible birth day(s) are often a blur, both physically and emotionally. We have experienced this ourselves and are so grateful for our own birth images (all of our birth photographers hired their own birth photographers for every birth…we believe in this work!!). We will capture your hard work, your emotions, and your incredible strength as you give birth to your precious child.

It is common to labor with your eyes closed. Birth photos give you a different perspective on your story—you will look back on these images and be able to process your birth story in a new way.

The Professional Birth Photographer difference

Some have told us it would be easier to have their partner, parent, or another photographer/friend take birth photographs. There are a few reasons why this may not be ideal.

Learning what to expect during birth and being comfortable in the birth space without interfering takes time and experience. Many photographers, even great photographers, are easily overwhelmed by the process and unknowns of birth. With a professional birth photographer at your birth, you can be assured that a calm, quiet presence will not distract you or your loved ones from your birth process.
Professional birth photographers actually show up. We are on-call for the weeks surrounding your birth, and come at any time of day or night. We also work with trusted back-up birth photographers in the event that there is an emergency or simultaneous birth.
We have professional full-frame cameras that are capable of handing extremely low-light and horrible lighting situations (ahem ahem, all hospitals). Our cameras have dual card slots to ensure that images are not lost.
The best part is that your partner, supporters, and caregivers will be in your photographs (not taking them). What a wonderful gift, because they too are part of your story.

“Our birth photos turned out beautifully and we ended up with a friend for a lifetime. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”

— Alyssa

This image was taken in the middle of the night in a nearly pitch-black bathroom.

being ON-CALL

Birth photography is an investment, much like wedding photography. Part of the reason it is more expensive than a newborn or maternity session is that we will be on-call for your birth.

We will go on-call starting two weeks before your estimated date of delivery and will remain on-call for you until your baby is born. This means that for up to a month, we will have our phones on us at all times (even during the night!), and we will be within an hour or two of the place you plan to give birth. You and your partner will keep us informed as you notice changes in your body leading up to your baby's birth day. Once we get "the call" that you are in active labor, your birth photographer will drop everything (Christmas dinner included) to come and document your labor, birth, and the first couple hours with your new little one. We are almost always on-call, so even if your labor starts before 38 weeks, we make every effort to be at your birth.

LABOR and birth SUPPORT

Unless you have hired another birth doula, we also provide labor support along with photographing your story. We are experienced, certified birth doulas and have been photographing and supporting clients since 2016. There is a natural flow to the way this unfolds at each birth, adjusting to the needs and desires of each client. Just trust us that we’ve figured out how to do both well, it works every time. :)

At most births, during the actual moment of birth, your partner and providers are physically close to you and we are able to step aside and photograph the moment you meet your baby, as you can see in the photographs below.

Get to know your birth photographerS

hi, we are Bri & Randi

We work as a team to provide you with the best birth photography experience we can think of. You’ll get the benefit of our combined experience photographing births and providing doula support in the West Michigan area. Between the two of us, we’ve been attending births for 10 years! Because we share on-call time, you’ll get a well-rested birth photographer who brings her A-game and has a healthy work-life balance. Included when you work with us is a mini maternity session (!!!!) before your birth and a photo reveal celebration afterward! We will celebrate you and be in your corner through the whole process.

Let’s meet in person (or via Zoom) to get to know each other before you decide to have us document and support your birth. Schedule your free consultation if you'd like to meet and discuss your interest in birth photography so that we can answer any questions you might have.