Brooke's blog

Amongst the many details of intentional and informed home birth that I LOVE in these images… The chalkboard sign that reads “There’s no place like home.” The presence of the bigger siblings and the grandparents. The mama (Angel)’s hands open between contractions and curving slightly closed during them. The way Angel spoke so lovingly to […]

During our first official prenatal appointment, I got to act like a one-on-one childbirth educator, walking through the nitty gritty process of labor and birth, including labor stages, emotional signposts, fetal descent, cervical effacement and dilation, partner support and all the rest. It was so fun to put on that education hat for a few […]

Before I launch right in to the amazing goodness that awaits us here, let me begin by saying that somehow this Grand Rapids birth photographer and videographer has NO births scheduled for October or November! I’m not sure how it happened, and truthfully, I’m willing to accept that my good father God knows that I […]

Sometimes you barely make it in time for a birth. Sometimes — especially with second babies — you get a text saying she’s “only 4 cm”.. and another one a half hour later saying “come now. pushing.” Haha.  So I arrived at Jake and Nicky’s house to find baby very near to crowning. She was […]

I am definitely NOT just being trite when I say it’s one of the better parts of my job to be invited to photograph or attend a second (or subsequent) birth for a family, and/or to photograph the times in between births. Because I LOVE watching families grow over the years. This is one of […]

When I tell someone I’ve just met that I am, among other things, a birth photographer, I am met with a wide assortment of incredulous facial expressions, from the thinly veiled repulsion to the shocked intrigue. Often, it’s misunderstood that I arrive at the birth place right AFTER the birth to take the very freshest […]

Crystal is an integrative women’s health specialist, combining yoga therapy, physical therapy, and wellness coaching into beautifully customized one-on-one services for women. I had a couple sessions with her prior to my own last birth, and it was amazingly helpful. I highly recommend her!  Crystal personally practices everything she teaches others, which is probably why […]

Even back when I was acting only as a birth photographer, and while I was apprenticing as a student midwife, I have always prayed before walking into a birth. In the prayer, I offer my hands to God to be used as an extension of His love and presence, peace and safety. I offer my hands […]