Maternity session - Government Cove / The Gorge

It’s always such a treat when I get to spend an entire day adventuring with an expectant family. This particular session was all inclusive, gown rental and hair and makeup with the incredible Sandra Kafka Beauty. What a fun day celebrating this goddess.

Birth Story Gresham Oregon - Portland Birth Photographer

42 weeks approached quickly and baby had his own plans ;-) We did spinning babies techniques, miles circuit along with all the natural ways to support labor but like I said, he had his own story <3

We headed in for induction, mamas body had some progression and her provider along with myself and her talked about things that may help lead us down labor lane ;-) Mama responded quickly and her birth team pulled everything off allowing her body to take the lead. She labored beautifully in the tub and ended up birthing on the bed.

It’s incredibly important to have a supportive team, knowing your options and making informed decisions <3

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.   

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