west michigan
Birthkeeping + Photography, etc.
Your home birth,
supported and witnessed.
customized packages starting at $250
If you have things to process, plans to make, preparations to do, or just want a companion for the journey… I'm happy to offer holistic birth mentoring/counseling/consulting for mamas planning natural births at home, assisted or unassisted. I do this virtually via phone or video chat, or in-person if you’re in the Grand Rapids, MI area.
The goal is for you to work out your lingering fears, build up your confidence, expand your knowledge, receive encouragement, clarify your Why, integrate your faith into your experience, and make sure you do not feel alone or directionless on your journey.
A good choice if you do not want a doula present at your birth, but want birthkeeper or doula-like support before and after birth.
What's included?
• a series of 2 or more 60-minute meetings, IRL or virtually
• email recaps with applicable links/resource
• option to add 24/7 on-call support during your birthing time (virtual doula)
a companion for your journey
Why Brooke?
I'M a home birth and Freebirth mama, too
Who you invite into your birth space matters. A lot.
And I have found that when you're a home birth mama or an unassisted birther, this is especially true. Knowing that your birth attendant has personal experience with this kind of unusual birth choice and therefore is totally comfortable and on board with it is really reassuring.
You don't have to worry about me carrying fear or nervousness into your carefully guarded home birth environment.
I'm the real deal!
I'm told that it's instantly easy to feel comfortable and at home with me, and that I carry peace in my wake.
Those are high compliments. And I try to live up to them. By being authentic, transparent, prayerful and warm, I know that the quality of my presence and relationship with you is just as valuable as the services I'm providing.
i've been at this a while
I photographed a birth (other than my own) for the first time in 2012 and have been attending births wearing various hats ever since.
With 170+ births under my belt (most of them home births) and nearly 2 decades of photography experience, you have a seasoned, trustworthy professional here.
I'm not learning or practicing my skill sets on you during the most important moments of your life.
“There are no neutral people in a birth space. Every person either adds to the calm, peace and hope of the experience or distracts from it. Having had 3 births myself with a dozen different people in the spaces I birthed in I can candidly say that Brooke’s presence at the birth of the third was a true blessing. Her steadiness and confidence in the normal dynamic process of labor brought me continued courage and stamina. I distinctly remember making eye contact with her during some of my most challenging labor moments only to be refreshed by the whisper of her eyes that told me to keep going. That I’ve got this. That my body knows what it’s doing and I’m doing better than I think I am. Her birth wisdom -both personally and professionally- transcended my birth state and helped me fight for the birth that I desired. ”
Janelle
"As a mother of seven beautiful homebirths, I can say Brooke was phenomenal and invaluable to have attending my last two births, both as birthkeeper and photographer!
She has a welcoming, quiet demeanor, that is incredibly supportive, and knowledgeable.
One reason I choose to homebirth is the personalness of everything. Brooke was professional, and yet every interaction I left feeling like I just talked with a best friend. Someone who truly listens, supports and has good advice to give.
One example would be her prompt response time to my messages, whether questions or just something exciting I wanted to share about the pregnancy. Even if the response was not the same day, which was rare, her replies reflected a diligence of getting back to me. For me, this was fundamental, in a caregiver role and something I was deeply thankful for." (cont. in next slide)
Samantha P. (Part 1)
"Brooke has a wealthy of knowledge, and resources, I dare say rivaling my prior CNM's (certified nurse midwives). Seriously, my prior CNM's were knowledgeable, but they did not give me or send as many resources to utilize. Brooke has years of experience and still has a hunger for expanding her knowledge and sharing it with other women. This is something I am also grateful to have access to for my pregnancies and the births.
In addition to being an outstanding birthkeeper, she is an incredibly talented photographer! She is discrete, and nonintrusive; being close by to get all the best shots, yet almost invisible. She truly has the "photographer's eye" that you want! She is able to balance the subject, the background, the lighting, and the angle of the photos to capture these priceless moments.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend Brooke Collier to attend your birth! If you are looking for a personal touch, someone who genuinely cares about and for you, and has a wealth of knowledge, she is your gal!"
Samantha P. (Part 2)
“When I was pregnant with my first child and planning a home birth, I wanted photographs of the experience, but I was too concerned that having someone there would hinder the process for me {I felt like I would hold back from what I needed to do}. I allowed this to keep me from having photo documentation of what was literally the greatest experience of my life. I always look back on this with immense regret and wish that I had met Brooke just a few months earlier.
She has such a calm and supportive presence about her that makes you feel like no matter what is happening, it’s going to be okay. She really embodies the ‘it takes a village’ mindset. It was a no brainer for us that we would invite Brooke into our home for the birth of our second child. We didn’t have a doula present, but Brooke provided that encouragement and support to me while still having a keen sense of knowing when all you need is silence.
I wish that I could go back and have her at my first birth, I will never regret having her at my second birth."
Shauna
“I had the distinct privilege of having Brooke at the birth of three of my four babies. The thing that stands out most is her innate sense of what to say and how to act in the birth space with you to encourage, empower, support and share in your joy. She is calm, but sure and confident in you and the birth process. Her belief in me was invaluable. She has a quiet sense of what to ask and what you need to know or hear at certain points during labor and delivery.
At my most recent birth she kept reminding me that it was good to move into the pain - it was exactly what I needed to hear in that moment and gave me the perspective I needed to finish labor well. Brooke sees you, the birth, and your baby as a whole and provides care that is reflective of this.
Brooke also perfectly captured these births with her photography. I have loved getting to look back and see the birth process and emotions present that I did not get to see while in labor. At no point did I realize she was even taking the photos.”
Marguerite
“I had the pleasure of having Brooke photograph the birth of my second child. I wasn’t sure how it would feel to have a relative stranger in the room during a time where I felt most vulnerable, but Brooke was amazing and made me feel like I just had another supportive friend in the room. When I received the edited photos I was more than thrilled with the results! Brooke knew how and when to capture every beautiful/tender moment of my labor and delivery, and for that I am forever thankful.”
Lydia
“Thank you so much for the role you played for us in our birth. From the first prenatal appointment you were at, I felt a full aura of calmness meet me in our birth journey due to your words of encouragement. Your work at our birth just took my level of gratitude for you to another level. Thank you..for blessing our birth journey.”
Kelsy
“Brooke was present to photograph the birth of my daughter. Working with her was so easy. She’s so kind, sweet, and genuine. I always felt comfortable in her presence, and I am so glad she was part of our (very small) birth team. As for her photos, they are simply irreplaceable. In the whirlwind of a long labor, I feel like she helped me remember and re-live some of those blurry memories I was too exhausted to be inthralled in at the time. My gallery made me cry like a baby, and I can’t recommend her work enough. I am so thankful we got to work with you, Brooke! From the bottom of my little family’s hearts, thank you.”
R.D.
"Walking into the unknowns of home birth, Brooke was there every step of the way with wisdom, guidance, and encouragement for me and my husband. She truly listened to what my desires and needs were, and made me feel confident in myself and what my body was capable of. She exudes a calming presence, which brought me peace through our journey together."
Katie
"I can't thank you enough for all the compassion, love, and knowledge you have shown to my family and I over these past seemingly quick months. I really looked forwad to our meetings together and always felt lighter and even more equipped for birth after. You truly have a gift. Thank you for bringing calm and peace to B's birth and also for your many prayers. There's so much more to say thank you for (beautiful pictures!), but i"ll keep it short. I have been honored to walk/waddle this beautiful preganncy and birth with you!"
