Salem, Oregon Photographer: Birth Photography | Kinsley Grace

This is Kinsley’s Birth Story

Kinsley Grace entered the world in just about 5 hard pushes by her Mama, ON her due date. Literally 9 minutes after midnight on her actual due date. She arrived healthy and perfect, and even gave a few tiny “smiles” for her birth video- I wonder if this is any indication of what her little personality will be like? ♡

If you know Kinsley’s Mama (Lea) and Daddy (Jeremy), you’ll know the journey they went through to have their two beautiful children. Kinsley and her big brother Carter were born through IVF, and they are both so unbelievably adored. I think one of my favorite things about this family besides the immense love they have for eachother~ is how important the little details are to them. From Lea’s carefully thought out birth plan, (NO PAIN MEDS, FRIENDS! Yes, she is amazing!) to Kinsley’s personalized embroidered blanket; you can tell that Lea has dreamed of being a Momma her entire life. (She did the same thing for big brother Carter’s arrival!) I LOVE that they had big brother come to the hospital during the beginning stages of their induction, and that they face timed with him to say “goodnight” from their delivery room.

Lea and Jeremy were an incredible team; Lea listened to her body and Jeremy remembered Lea’s cues from her last labor with Carter. Through her waves, Lea would go from concentration, to instantly being absolutely GIDDY thinking about getting to hold her daughter soon. It was THE sweetest! I was so happy to be there with them during this time. Also! Lea’s Mom lives in Florida and was unable to be there to meet her newest Granddaughter- but she DID get to meet her via Face time directly after birth. That was such a sweet moment I put into the video for them to remember! I think that is one of my favorite things about getting to be a birth photographer.. I LOVE preserving these moments for my families!

The last thing I wanted to write before I introduce Kinsley’s Birth Video- is that her big brother Carter ALSO had a birth photographer capture his birth. I was actually able to find the exact same song that was used from his birth video, and I added it as the ending song for Kinsley’s slideshow. I thought that would be a sweet little detail to connect their birth stories :) And now, I’ll share what you came here to see! ;) THANK YOU to the lovely K family for allowing me to share the precious birth story of Kinsley Grace!

Welcome to the world, little beauty!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Birth Photography | Harrison Lee

This is Harrison’s Birth Story

This sweet boy was born after his incredible Mama labored with him for 40+ hours (YES, she is amazing!)

I got a text on Thursday 3/14 from Lauren letting me know her water had broken in the wee hours of that morning and she was having contractions- but to wait until she met with her midwife later that afternoon to confirm that things were moving along the way they should be. We kept in touch throughout the day while she labored at home and rested as much as possible to prepare for the arrival of her little babe.

Then I received THE phone call at around 2:00am on Friday and headed to the Birth Center. Speaking of that- I have to tell you a little about the incredible place where Lauren was to bring her baby earthside- The Corvallis Birth & Women’s Health Center I can’t even get over how fabulous it was. When I walked in, it was like walking into a friend’s home- warm, inviting, and COMFORTABLE! The rooms where Mother’s get to labor and meet their baby felt just like a bedroom in a home. Also, I LOVED the midwives :) It has been a month since I photographed Lauren’s birth and since then I have photographed another Mama there (stay tuned for her birth story next!) As I have now met several of the midwives, I have to give them a massive THANK YOU for being so kind and for welcoming me into your space! If you live in the Salem, Corvallis, Albany etc. areas and are expecting, I highly recommend reaching out to them and going in for a tour!

When I arrived to the birth center, Lauren was cuddled up peacefully on the bed with her hubby and breathing through a wave. She was so calm and relaxed! We chatted for a little bit so I was updated on what was going on, and I got a few photos then left the room so she could get some rest. Things were progressing, (but slowly.)

Since Lauren’s water had broken the previous morning and contractions were still irregular/not enough of a change; she ended up transferring over to Good Samaritan (Corvallis hospital) to receive a little extra support to help things along. I’m SO grateful that she was able to have an amazing start to her birth story at the birth center, and when her midwives came along to the hospital it was such a smooth transition! Things went beautifully after that- I’ll let the video tell the rest of the story! :)

You’ll see throughout the video an incredible amount of support- Lauren had her amazing husband Josh and her sweet Momma there. With a labor on the longer side, (did I mention how amazing Lauren is!? :)) it was SO GREAT that she had two support people that took turns being her “person.” I hope when Lauren gets to see the video that she sees not only how STRONG, and incredible she was- but to see all the love that surrounded her in that space.

I’m so honored to share the beautiful Birth Story of Harrison Lee: Welcome, little one!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Birth Photography | Adelaide Opal

This is Adelaide’s birth story

When I get home from photographing a birth, the first thing I do is grab a piece of paper and write down a few things that stood out to me. I do this for a couple reasons-

1.) Birth is such a BLUR. There are so many little details that are easy to miss, and some that are forgotten. I LOVE being able to write something about the birth on my blog, so I always come back to the piece of paper where I wrote what was fresh on my mind.

2.) It is also important to me that I get every single piece of Mom’s birth story that I have available into her photo gallery and birth video; so that it can be the most accurate representation of that day for Mama to cherish for years to come. Every mother will end up talking about her birth story at some point, and there’s always a part or two where she’ll get the biggest smile on her face remembering something little (or big) from that day. My goal with every birth is to try and capture those moments for her so that it won’t just be a story she’s telling- it will be something she can WATCH and re-live over and over again <3

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One of the things that will always stick with me from this beautiful, gentle home birth is her support system.

Mama had her AMAZING husband who stayed by her side and was so tender and supportive of her. (Note the part where he pulls her hair up into a bun for her mid-contraction!! And the adorable note he left for her- stop it! :)) Their sweet, ADORABLE daughter was also there for the birth! She was so excited to be a big sister and oh my gosh she was like a little doula herself! She would peacefully sit in the same room as her Mama, coloring. Or she would disappear into her room for a little bit, then come out periodically to check on how her Mom was doing. I think Mom will love the part of the video where you get to see her daughter reach out and grab her hand during labor, and in the next frame she reaches up and gently touches her Mama’s hair.

I’m so excited to share this beautiful, BEAUTIFUL birth. Welcome to the world, precious Adelaide!