Another Cocoon Idea

Here is a picture from the weekend newborn shoot I did. This is using a larger sized cocoon (two more rounds of increases) and the mom was holding the cocoon from the top. If you want to see more of my photos you can check them out here.

The link to the original pattern is found here.

Putting Yourself Out There

My dear friend asked me to photograph her beautiful pregnant belly. I am both honored and inspired to put myself out there more. I hope this can be an inspiration for you to step out of your comfort zone and have faith that you have something special to offer the world. I know that is a bucket full of sap, but it is exactly how I feel.

Her belly was painted by my friend and first doula client, Helenbeth. Isn't it beautiful?

I love shooting into the light to get this type of photograph.

My "First" Birth

When I was laid off from my job in marketing communications I took that as a swift kick in the pants to start a career doing something I love. I knew I wanted to be able to stay at home and raise my son but I also knew that would need something else to make me feel complete.

Giving birth truly transformed me as a person. I read everything I could get my hands on about birth and knew that this was the road for me. I often have to stop myself from inundating pregnant women with information because I just want them to know.

Fast forward to the summer of 2009 and I was sponsoring a toLabor Labor Doula training in Boulder, CO. Through the training I realized that I had found my place and made the right decision with this career path. But because I was about 31 weeks pregnant with my daughter at the time of the training I knew all I would be up for in the near future would be completing the testing and required reading and the necessary six births would have to wait.

Fast forward again to May 11, 2010 and I feel like I have come full circle with my training and hopes for my new path as a Doula. I attended my first birth! It was a homebirth, her fourth child and it was so amazing to be part of. Humbling really. I hope that I was able to offer that family the support and love they needed because they definitely filled my heart and spirit with the knowledge that I had made the right decision.

I don't want to get too mushy but for a while I felt like I was floundering out there wondering how I was supposed to live my life. Thank you to that wonderful family for letting me have a place at their birth. I look forward to watching that little girl grow.

One down and five more until I am completely certified!!