While the world of birth is currently at a standstill, birth photographers world wide, besides being supportive and helpful, are finding themself honing into that ‘slow down’ and enjoy this time with family.
I reached out to my birth photographer friends around the world and asked them to share with me what they have been doing with their families during these last four weeks.
ME FIRST…
SOUTH FLORIDA
We’re spending almost all our time indoors and a little bit of time on our patio (balcony) to get some sun and listen to the wind. Man, it’s been weird, but it’s also been a blessing. I am grateful my kids have each other and that they are such good friends. I am grateful my husband can work from home. I am grateful to be able to enjoy them and spend this time together with them. I think we all needed extra time together. School is intense and overwhelming, daily and weekly obligations are also. So it’s nice to be able to just take my kids in for once and the rest of the world is on pause, so they for once they can have my full attention.
❤️Paulina
YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE
THE NETHERLANDS
My friend and colleague Jessica Vink from The Netherlands, owner of VI-Photography - Jouw geboortefotograaf says:
I am Editing people their own birth photos, making wedding albums...can’t sit still!
PHOTO DESCRIPTIONS
“09396: Family visits through the window, it's so hard not to cuddle with my nieces....
09197: Time for hobby's, always birth related. Painting is quite peaceful and a good way to empty your head.
09018: When homeschooling is not fun anymore... he never expected his last year of primary school to be like this. I feel so sorry for him.
09129: Grandma bringing us groceries because we all were sick. Connecting on a safe distance.
09474: I like to go on walk and document all the things that are typical for 'corona time'.”
❤️Jessica
YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW JESSICA ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE:
CANADA
My darling friend living in Quebec, owner of Maude Colin Photographe de naissance + Doula, I think she has it down right. This is the time exactly for nourishing practices, that is the new meaning of productivity during this time:
“At first I was really focused on my business wanting to create content for social media, work on my marketing, do online workshops, webinars, listen to podcasts, but I finally decided I prefer connecting with my family and go back to what's essential. So I decided to spend lots of time in the kitchen cooking old recipes from my grandpa”
❤️Maude
***By the way… that egg salad and Salmon? Looks so good, I may just copy her for dinner tomorrow! Send me your recipe Maude!!!***
YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW MAUDE ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE:
SOUTH FLORIDA
MY BESTIE, Martha Lerner, owner of Zenmamalove
“We've been doing a whole lot of random around the house things to try and keep Felix occupied and us sane. Yugioh cards, trampoline, rearranging furniture, reading, distance learning, Jeff has mastered the art of napping, and I try to capture them doing these things when I have a moment to keep me feeling somewhat normal and stay attached to photography.”
❤️Martha
***I miss her so much and I wish we could just go out for coffee, a walk in the everglades, beers at BJ’s brewery, dinner, anything. I know the time will come. But it freakin hurts not seeing your best friend in a month***
YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW MARTHA ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE:
VIRGINIA
Maggie Williams (Owner of Maggie Williams Photography & Birth Services) and her family from Scottsville, VA are spending as much time as possible enjoying the outdoors and springtime weather.
YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW MAGGIE ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE:
MONTANA
Our good friend Lindsey, owner of L.E. Ellis Photography in Montana, shares with us what her crew’s been up to:
“We've been finding new creative ways to play -- like bring the ocean to our kitchen -- and taking in all the joy that comes with new baby chicks!”
❤️Lindsey
YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW LINDSEY ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE:
VIRGINIA
Our dear friend Liz, my amazing Director of IAPBP who makes all the magic happen!
We have really been enjoying all the time we have together these days. Most days we spend the morning doing schoolwork and the afternoon is kind of a free for all. We do everything from painting in the bathtub to playing in the river. I consider it a successful day if my girls are filthy at the end of it!! 😂
They also pride themselves on how skilled they are at giving foot massages! 😂
❤️Liz
YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW LIZ ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE:
TEXAS
Our wonderful birth photographer & birth doula colleague Norma Hess, from McAllen, TX, who owns and operates her incredible business: Sojourning Birth shares what her family has been up to over the last few weeks:
Our quarantine as a family of 7 started with a lot of readjustment for homeschooling different age groups. Once we found our groove, we realized that we didn’t need to stress out too much. We have refocused and encouraged more walks and play. My kids have found joy in learning new music and enjoying outdoor play in our sunny South Texas weather.
VIRGINIA
We have a lot of birth photography friends in Virgina.
Must be where all the magic happens :)
My darling friend & badass birth photography colleague Brooke Flanagan, owner of Brooke Flanagan Photography-Northern Virginia Birth Photographer, shares what her and her crew have been up to during all this global chaos:
During this new normal we are spending all the time with daddy we can. He’s a Marine and we never know in a moments notice when he could be taken from us.
❤️Brooke
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TEXAS
Another awesome human is our friend (and well known birth photography competition judge), birth photographer and owner of Photos By Lei, and the creator of the Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project, Leilani Rogers!
Quarantine projects have included recreating beautiful art with my youngest, Sasha.
This is Frida Kahlo, by Yelena Day.
And
Dancer by Degas.
I feel it’s important to nurture your creativity and keep your inner muse alive.
❤️Lei
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POLAND
Ania Wibig, owner of OBIEKTYWNIE Najpiekniejsze, (loosely translates from Polish into English into “Objectively The Most Beautiful”), is a birth photographer in Poland.
Recently we have to stay at home without the possibility to go outside unless for an important reason.
Five people in a small flat seems to be a recipe for disaster, but with three crazy girls there is no time to rest or to be bored.
100 ideas in a minute: to make coffee spa, exercises on the sofa, drawing, singing, dancing, flying... Home seems to be the perfect playground. I love attending to these ideas as well as observing how the girls interact with each other. How they fight, but also love each other. Amazing time to be with them, in their imagination.
❤️️Ania
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