
01/20/2023
Born, but still connected.
Also, don't you love fresh postpartum bellies and baby wrinkles?!
Birth Photographer | Birth Stories | Birth Photography. Serving Houston, TX and surrounding areas. i
(30)
Born, but still connected.
Also, don't you love fresh postpartum bellies and baby wrinkles?!
All the feels. ❤️
You never would have believed that this session was supposed to be centered around the baby. I love toddlers!
My client’s are art. Their faces are too beautiful not to be on display. 🖤🤍
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!
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. ❤️
Stephanie Shirley Photography updated their phone number.
I’m still swooning over this gorgeous Fresh Session from a couple of weeks ago.
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.
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.
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.
Delivering at TCH or Woman's Hospital?!??!⠀⠀
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. ⠀⠀
Now is the time to get on the calendar!⠀⠀
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))⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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.
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!
Oh, and yes, I stand on all the things. All 👏🏼 the 👏🏼 time 👏🏼 .
-photographer
Lately I’ve had a slight obsession with hands. They can say so much when you let you heart listen.
In babies, they often give us cues on hunger by an open or closed fist.
They tell us what kind of life a person has lived by how weathered they are.
My favorite, they provide language. Connection. Reassurance. Strength. Love.
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.
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.
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...
Magic happens.
More on this story soon...
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.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
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.
It's important for mamas to know that this is an option you can ask for.
**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. 😭
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)
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
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
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.
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!
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
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
Black Friday Sale going live soon!!!
Two great sales, you won't want to miss this one!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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!
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.
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
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. ❤️
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.
❤️
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. ❤️
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. ❤️
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.
I still just can't get over this birth, this family.
I love watching the balance that midwives give just after a baby is born. They do all of the necessary checks on mom and baby periodically, but for the most part the parents are given their space to revel in their new baby.
It was such and experience to see how calm Candice and Traci were with baby. Always keeping him within reach of mom or dad as they did their assessments and newborn exam.
Houston, TX
77095
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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! #birth #birthphotography #birthphotographer #birthstory #birthstories #stephanieshirleyphotography #houstonbirths #birthvideographer #birthfilms
Two years ago I witnessed a woman work harder than she ever has to bring her sweet girl into her arms. Any day now I'll be capturing her as she embarks on her second journey. To say that I am anxious would be an understatement.
Happy National Midwife Week! I have had the joy of seeing some of the most amazingly caring hands deliver sweet babies into their mother's arms, but midwives are so much more than "baby catchers". They are patient beings, and not only carefully watch your labor progress, but also provide emotional support and encouragement. Here are a couple of midwives at work to honor those and all that they do! I wish I had enough video and time to honor them all!
This is my latest film and it's a good one! Grab the tissues and make sure you watch in HD! This is the story of a family who’s choice in their birth plan completely changed about halfway through their pregnancy. 2nd baby for mom and they find out at the 20-week scan that not only are they expecting TWINS, but that the girls have twin to twin transfusion. Home Birth now being out of the picture, they decide to have the amazing Dr. Gei deliver the babies and monitor their growth. The goal was 36 weeks and the girls managed to grow well enough to make that goal. At 36 weeks, induction was started and after two days, two beautiful baby girls were welcomed into mom’s arms. Baby A (Lucy) and Baby B (Lizzy) each had stays in the NICU, but by 3 weeks, both were able to be home. babies lucy + lizzy | houston birth videographer #birthfilm #birthvideographer #birthvideography #birth #stephanieshirleyphotography #twins
As a photographer, the power of still images to tell a birth story is my heart. However, piecing a birth story together using a film is breathtaking. I am so excited to finally be offering this in 2017 and so excited that this beautiful mom has allowed me to share her birth film. Please take the time to leave this strong mama and her family some love as you get a glimpse into their special day. MAKE SURE YOU CLICK HD baby faye | houston birth films If you like this video and want to see more, consider liking Stephanie Shirley Photography. For more information about birth stories and films, please contact me. #houstonbirths #birthphotographer #birthphotography #houstonbirthfilms #houstonbirthphotographer #stephanieshirleyphotography
** Make sure you choose to view in HD** It is such an incredible feeling to be chosen/trusted with capturing these special moments and even more so when you're invited back for the next one. You have an absolutely beautiful family, Sarah Johnson Leavitt. Hopefully Harrison won't shed too many tears watching this slideshow of sister #2. :) baby eiland | houston birth photographer If you enjoyed this video, please consider sharing the love. :) #birth #birthphotography #birthphotographer #birthstory #birthstories #2016birth #stephanieshirleyphotography #houstonbirths #birth_2016_26
I so enjoyed getting to know this sweet little family as they welcomed this little guy into the world. baby august | houston birth photographer If you like this video and would like to see more, consider like Stephanie Shirley Photography. #birth #birthstory #birthphotographer #houstonbirth #stephanieshirleyphotography #houstonbirthphotographer
She came fast and furious, this one. I hate to say that I missed being able to capture her arrival, but I wonder if I had been there if I would have found myself putting the camera down anyway to help however I could. :) Make sure you check out Rosie's birth story told by her mom in the blog post. MAKE SURE YOU CLICK HD. baby rosaline | huntsville birth photographer If you like this video and want to follow along with more birth stories, consider liking Stephanie Shirley Photography. http://www.stephanieshirley.com/2015/07/22/huntsville-birth-photographer/
I am excited to share Clayton's birth story. I'm a little sad that I am all caught up on my birth stories, but I am anxiously awaiting the next wave of babies VERY soon. :) Make sure you click HD for best viewing! Make sure you check the link to her post in the comments. baby clayton | houston birth photographer