Stephanie Shirley Photography

06/04/2022

My client’s are art. Their faces are too beautiful not to be on display. 🖤🤍

05/31/2022

Summer is here and it’s time for an availability update. I’m almost 100% booked for 2022 and am already booking into February 2023. Stay cool, Mamas, things are heating up in Houston!

04/03/2022

This photo is among one of my many favorites from 2021. Not just because it’s a beautiful image, but because of the memories and emotions that it brings me back to when I see it. Watching this mom so determined to bring this babe into her arms and finally see him fit so perfectly on her lap. All. The. Feels. We wait for what seems like forever to be able to look at every piece of these babies that have grown inside of us. Once they’re here, we want to warm, protect and embrace them… but that quick moment when you pull them away briefly so you can finally lay eyes on their perfection. ❤️ It speaks world to me that this photo was chosen for awards in TWO image competitions. It tells me that I have been able to do what I work to do: invoke emotion into my families and audience. Thank you always for your support. ❤️

12/14/2020

Stephanie Shirley Photography updated their phone number.

Stephanie Shirley Photography updated their phone number.

12/13/2020

I’m still swooning over this gorgeous Fresh Session from a couple of weeks ago.
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I was originally hired to hold this sweet family’s Just Born Session. However, due to COVID, when Mom’s birth plan required a change from birth center to a hospital, I was no longer able to hold that session for them. Instead we planned to do a Fresh Session once they were released from the hospital.
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This year has been a year of patience and adaption. I believe that we are all be challenged to let go of what we think we are in control of and to let be. Not only has this year been that of tribulation for my family and my business, but also to those families that I am servicing or would have if not for this pandemic. It has been a year of hope.
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Although, this family had to let go of what they had envisioned, as is the theme for me this year, instead I captured something beautiful... a glimpse of the newness in their home. You would never guess at first glimpse that this sweet mom was also dealing with a bout of Bell’s Palsey that was onset at the end of her pregnancy. As she told me this before I arrived, I encouraged her that it would in no way get in the way of the session, but also, it is a part of her story. Being a , it is important for me to capture what is. I have to say that she is remarkably beautiful and am proud of her bravery in not letting this stop her from capturing this sweet time in their life.
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10/03/2020

Delivering at TCH or Woman's Hospital?!??!⁠⠀
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I have great news!!! Both hospitals have recently changed their visitation policies to allow for an additional support person (now allowing 2!) with moms into labor and delivery. ⁠⠀
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Now is the time to get on the calendar!⁠⠀
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Contact me to learn how my current policies are safeguarding my clients through their payments during this pandemic. I know we are filled with unknowns from day to day and these policies can change in an instant. ((link in bio))⁠⠀
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09/06/2020

I got a gift today. After going through a long night beside an amazing mom as she worked to bring her son earth side, a very dear person to me not only checked on me, but also sent me these rarities.
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Being a lifestyle photographer, catching life as it unfolds is where my heart is. To have someone think to catch me in my element is such a gift. You’re seeing me far from fresh as I was 16 hours in at this point, but that’s where it’s at. Raw and real. Thank you for this gift. You may not have thought much of it, but it was huge for me!
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Oh, and yes, I stand on all the things. All 👏🏼 the 👏🏼 time 👏🏼 .
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-photographer

09/06/2020

Lately I’ve had a slight obsession with hands. They can say so much when you let you heart listen.
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In babies, they often give us cues on hunger by an open or closed fist.
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They tell us what kind of life a person has lived by how weathered they are.
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My favorite, they provide language. Connection. Reassurance. Strength. Love.
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09/05/2020

Hey!

I’ve been really quiet. Like achingly quiet. Not that I was ever that great about regularly posting my gorgeous clients and their families because you know... life, but the silence has lasted too long.
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I’m still here. This year has looked a lot different for my business, much like a lot of other Americans. If you know me personally on a business relationship, you know that I always say, when things get slow, there’s usually a reason for it. I’ll be sharing more on that soon.
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For now, rest your eyes on this gorgeous moment. Often we get caught up in the planning of an event or a session that we get stuck on how everything is going to go. What the session will look like. We become stressed when the kids aren’t in the best moods or are reacting the way we thought they would. I always try and tell my clients that my work is about being a documentarian. I feel so much and have always wanted to capture the beauty that I see in people. Especially when they don’t see it in themselves. Once I break the barriers and my clients let go...
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Magic happens.
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More on this story soon...

02/03/2020

Yes. Yes. Yes!!!

I’m hoping that this gets great feedback and that other hospitals in the Houston area offer this. The piece of mind of delivering at a hospital, but with the comfort of being treated as low-risk. Pregnancy does not always equal high-risk.

AND there are midwives that deliver here.

to the first little bundle of joy, Nixon, that our team brought into this world in our new low-risk labor room! The room amenities we offer include a laboring tub, aromatherapy, Bluetooth speaker, adjustable queen-sized bed, TV with calming imagery.

Since then, we have had multiple babies delivered here and we can't wait to deliver more!

02/02/2020

VBAC Facts

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Where are my c-section mamas at?? Would you have liked to be given the option to have a clear drape at your birth?

Modern medicine is great when medically necessary!!! Family-centered (Gentle) cesareans are a thing and should be made available to moms should they want it! So many benefits for mom.

Absolutely stunning. I love clear drapes. Such a small thing that can make a huge difference in how parents feel about their cesarean. If you had a cesarean with a clear drape, share your picture below!

01/30/2020

**If birth isn’t your thing, kindly keep scrolling ❤️**

A beautiful home birth story of a 3rd time mom with older brothers assisting her labor and birth. 💙

You won’t want to miss what big brother says around the 9 minute mark. 😭

01/23/2020

I'm all about family-centered birth, especially in the OR.

Did you know that you have options, even if a c-section is necessary.

Read all about this mom's beautiful story and how with the help of her doula, she was able to do skin to skin with her twins shortly after delivery. (link in comments)

01/21/2020

As I take some much needed time off from the on-call lifestyle that I live for the next month, I still can’t help but miss being behind the lens. It is a truly remarkable thing to witness life over and over again.

Today I am honoring the BIRTHday of sweet Mia. It was such a quiet, calming birth for this first time mom. To be able to sleep her way through active labor... her body knew just what it needed to prepare for the work to push and bring her baby down.

Make sure you read her full birth story on the blog. (Link in comments)

Midwife: Jaymee Jamison Boughton with In Bloom Midwifery & Home Birth Services

Doula: Chelsey Hernandez with Doulightful Beginnings Birth Care

01/11/2020

One year ago today this little guy made his appearance. It was my first birth of 2019 and I wasn't even the one that was originally supposed to be there.

Read more about his story...

http://www.stephanieshirley.com/blog-list/a-birth-with-midwives-at-hca-conroe-hospital

01/09/2020

What an absolute amazing year!!!

Here are my stats for 2019:

35 births (178 overall 😍)
23 boys
13 girls
1 set of boy/girl twins

26 hospital births
8 home births
1 birth center birth

31 vaginal deliveries
4 cesarean

1 birth attended due to backing up another photographer

2 births required back-ups due to my needing to attend funerals :(

Busiest month: September with SIX births (4 within 5 days of each other)
Runner up: January with FIVE births

Most frequented hospital: Texas Children's Pavilion for Women

2 Babies named Hudson this year

Most fun fact of the year... My very first ever birth was on February 17, 2010 and his name is Luke. On February 17, 2019, another sweet Luke was born. 9 years to the day.

Thank you to all of my clients for an outstanding year!!

Check out each month's groupings of babies for those that granted sharing.

My 2020 calendar is filling... contact me about pricing and payment plans.

01/07/2020

Anyone else dragging their feet to be productive this new year? Just me?

Well, I'm coming out of the holiday fog and so ready to get back to work. Excited to share last year's stats in the coming days and share some new birth stories.

In the meantime, here is my availability for birth sessions from now through the summer. They are booking quickly!

11/30/2019

Tomorrow is the last day to get in on this deal!!

If you’re expecting and looking for a Fresh session, don’t wait!

Black Friday Sale goes live NOW!!!!

Choose from either an image box or session sale!!! Checkout all the details get in on the deal by clicking the link. :)

https://www.stephanieshirley.com/black-friday-sale

11/27/2019

Black Friday Sale goes live NOW!!!!

Choose from either an image box or session sale!!! Checkout all the details get in on the deal by clicking the link. :)

https://www.stephanieshirley.com/black-friday-sale

11/27/2019

Black Friday Sale going live soon!!!

Two great sales, you won't want to miss this one!

11/21/2019

I did a thing a couple of weeks ago.

Out of the 170 births that I have experienced over the years, not many times have I been pressed with a situation in where a baby needed help after delivery. In those few instances, I was mostly in a hospital setting and there is enough staff that floods the room to help support baby if needed.

However, the couple times where we weren't in the hospital and baby did need help, I felt totally helpless. Although I was able to be the calm presence in the room and take charge of calling the necessary help, I still feel like with more knowledge I could have done more. Even if it meant to simply know what materials the provider needed and place them in her reach without her having to take her attention away from baby. Or as everyone in the room is holding their breath watching as baby tries to take theirs, I can remind everyone to be grounded and breathe.

I am proud to say that I am now certified as a Neonatal Resuscitation Program Provider. This is something that I hope that I never have a reason to put to practice, but am happy that I am more prepared should that time arise.

10/15/2019

October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness.

My heart is with those whose babies have been born sleeping... the babies that were held but never went home... the babies that went home, but couldn't stay... and for the ones we carried but never held.

10/09/2019

Stephanie Shirley Photography's cover photo

10/02/2019

Happy Midwife Week!!!

Cheers to all of the midwives I've been Blessed to work with over the years. Make sure you click the link in comments to see some of my fave images of midwives doing what they do best from the last couple of years.

09/30/2019

Mom was determined to deliver her third baby without an epidural and with little assistance the moment that he was born.

I just love the look she gives her mom and husband when she realizes that she accomplished just that.

Check out their full birth story in the comments.

09/28/2019

5 Reasons You NEED to Hire a Doula — Houston Birth Photographer | Stephanie Shirley

FIVE reasons you NEED to hire a doula.

Go on... do it. :)

https://www.stephanieshirley.com/blog-list/5-reasons-you-need-to-hire-a-doula

Here are 5 reasons why hiring a doula is something that should be greatly considered:

09/24/2019

Preggers Can Be Choosers

Hi there!

Today was a special day as I got to jump on a video call with Rowan with Preggers Can Be Choosers as we discuss birth photography and being in the birth space in general!

Thanks for having me!

PCBC Elephant in the Womb: Prenatal education. Today we are talking about birth photography with Rowan TwoSisters, CPM and Stephanie Shirley, Houston birth photographer.

09/23/2019

6 Things to Consider When Selecting a Hospital for Delivery — Houston Birth Photographer | Stephanie Shirley

Planning a hospital birth?

Head over to the blog and check out 6 things you should consider when choosing which hospital to deliver at.

https://stephanieshirley.squarespace.com/blog-list/6-things-to-consider-when-selecting-a-hospital-for-delivery

Here are 6 things to consider when choosing the hospital in Houston that you will deliver your baby at.

09/20/2019

As mom stopped to nurse babe during our session, that's when the older two decided it was the best time for a wrestling match. Worried about whether that would interfere with the session, Mom asked them to stop. I encouraged her to let them be. One day she'll want to remember this. Remember the crazy. It brought me straight back to the days when my boys were little and wild.

Fresh Sessions are for all the cuddles, all the bonding, all the nursing and just capturing life in those early moments after baby is born.

Still have availability for a Fresh or Just Born Session in 2019!

http://www.stephanieshirley.com/blog-list/an-in-home-fresh-session-of-a-family-with-three-boys

09/18/2019

Was there something that your babes did when they were little that you hope to always keep close to your heart?

My youngest could not keep his hands out of my hair if he was anywhere next to me. Literally would tangle his tiny hands in my hair. If he came down in the middle of the night to climb into bed with us, our routine would be for him to climb over me and in between us. I’d turn my back to him and he would grab onto my hair and fall back to sleep.

I thought he would never grow out of it. Then one day, he just stopped. I wish I had taken the time to capture the moments. For now I just keep the memories close to my heart. ❤️

09/17/2019

As I sit here watching the rain trickle down the window and listen to the soft beats of a baby as a laboring mom rests, I can’t help but be eternally grateful for the beauty that I get to capture time and time again.

One of my favorite moments that I get to witness is when mom reaches transition. The whole room feels it. A peacefulness hangs in the air. We all feel the emotions deep in our gut. We all know that the end is near.

❤️

09/10/2019

Let’s talk Gentle C-Sections, or Family Centered C-Sections... sometimes it is medically necessary to perform cesarean sections for the safety of Mom and Baby.

If it is decided that a cesarean section is necessary, parents can either have options built into their birth plan or request them before heading to the OR. Gentle C-Sections offer the parents the ability to be more a part of their birth experience.

Gentle C-Sections can include:
- Clear plastic drape or for the drape to be lowered to see your baby born or see them immediately after delivery.
- Babies can be delivered slowly to allow time for the chest to be squeezed to clear fluid
- Skin to skin contact while in the OR either immediately after delivery or after Baby has been checked for a few minutes by the neonatal team
- Help with latching baby as Mom is being sutured

To some moms, having a C-Section can lead to them feeling powerless or disconnected from their birth. Gentle C-Sections, if possible allow them to feel more a part of their birth story. Do your research and create a birth plan. Ask questions and voice your wishes. The options are ultimately up to you providers, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. ❤️

09/05/2019

Did you know that the benefits of skin to skin are so much than just bonding in those first moments after baby is born?

- Helps baby adapt and regulate their temperature
- Stabilizes baby’s heart rate and respirations, which is therefore said to improve baby’s mental development
- By regulating baby’s temperature, they use less energy to stay warm and use that energy to grow, hence promoting healthy weight
- Reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increases oxytocin, which in turn helps baby’s feel calm and safe
- Less stress for baby = better sleep
- Improves Mom’s milk supply
- Makes breastfeeding easier
- Helps regulate Mom’s hormones, therefore also relieving stress
- Among many other things

Even more exciting is that if Mom isn’t available to offer skin to skin care right after delivery, Dad or other family members can do it. ❤️

08/24/2019

Did your other children get to meet their new sibling right after you delivered?

Just before I left this sweet family, Big Brother came in to meet his new brother. He was curious about all the things... his mommy's smaller belly, the baby's belly and umbilical cord, how the baby eats, etc. It was so sweet to hear him whisper the whole time as to not disturb his brother.

08/23/2019

I still just can't get over this birth, this family.