Nashville Newborn Photographer | The Best Doulas in Nashville, Franklin, Spring Hill, TN and Beyond!

As a Nashville Birth Videographer and Photographer, I am blessed to be able to attend many home births. As such, I get to see so many birth providers and doulas and midwives support women in their journey of bringing their newborn into the world.Hiring a doula is such an integral part of your birth plans. I did not have a doula with my first birth and it turned out the epidurals do not work on my body (they gave me 3 and all 3 failed). So for my 2nd birth, I attended Bradley Method Birth Classes and hired me a doula!It was 2012, and the birth world wasn't what it is today. I found a few and interviewed them but ultimately chose a woman named Beulah (Man, if she wasn't 70 and was starting her business today, what a marketing campaign for Beulah the Doula!). She was amazing. Calm and centered. and I adored her. (I would recommend her, but I don't think she's practicing much these days!). All that to say, I truly know the importance of having a doula that meshes well with you and can stand up for you, plus support you WELL.Here are my top faves!!!

1. Viergeni White.   I have attended a few births with this lady and she is hands down the BEST doula. You know, being the best doula doesn't really have to do with WHAT they do? It's how they do it. It's their presence. Their soul. any doula can "do all the right things" but it really comes down to that plus their spiritual self and presence in the birth space. This sweet lady has such a deep connection with her moms, she prays audibly, shows up so happy to be there. She is so in tune with mom. Is just amazing.

2. Lyss Moore. I have not yet gotten to be in a birth with Lyss, but I have heard many MIDWIVES rave about her. She holds women well in their time of need and has a big heart for birth.3. Kimberly Williams. Kimberly is amazing. She's a gentle soul and loves the lord. She is an incredible doula with a peaceful presence in the birth space. 4. Amanda Githaiga. I have not yet had a birth with this doula, but she comes highly recommended by doulas on this list! She is who other doulas would hire for their birth - which speaks volumes. She is crunchy and Christian, which matters to many.5. Lauren Glass. I had a long VBAC with this lovely doula. She spent many hours with this momma, supporting her and helping her, mentally and physically. Mom even got transferred and Lauren's energy never waned. She is fierce and loving - an amazing combination for a doula.   

Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | The Birth of Owen Jesse

Jessie hired me with some slight risk attached to it. She was due around the time I would be in Tampa Florida for a family film. But it was her 4th baby and she always goes later.... so we took the risk. When a client hires me for birth, we talk about the chance I don't make it to their birth. They basically get a credit for the amount they spent for future film and photography. She and I both entered into this willingly and hopeful. Well, a hurricane hit Florida, so I was in fact here and she did in fact go later as well.on the day she gave birth, she sent me a few texts about things potentially starting. It was breakfast time so I simply got ready in case I got the call. She goes fast and lives 35 minutes away. I started to get a feeling around 11 am and went into town to be closer to her. I texted her midwife (she and I are friends) to ask if she was the one on call. and She was! (Lauren Drees of Haven Birth and Wellness). Not only that but she was grateful for the heads' up (Jessie had not yet contacted her) so she could get showered and ready since she knew she would be on video! I ended up hanging out a friend's house for a bit when I got the call to come. I was all of 7 minutes away. We all arrived about 90 mins before baby arrived 🤣🤣🤣 So I think we all played our cards right!Jessie is so funny in birth. She's very chatty in between contractions and there are very few signs she's about to give birth. Her doula of 4x was there and let us know "this is how she is all the way up until pushing!" I don't think Jessie had more than handful of contractions in the tub before baby was arriving earth side!Day time births are my specialty it seems. After the tub birth, Jessie moved into a guest room for her postpartum. The light was OUT of the world!!! Just breathtaking. I loved editing this birth and making the prayer from Grandpa included. It is so special and I wanted them to always remember it.If you want your birth captured on video and photos, please let's chat!  

Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | The Birth of June

In June, I had the honor of filming and photographing a birth for a client whom I have worked with many times in the past few years. She first hired me to capture the home birth of her 2nd child, a boy a few years back. She has since done annual family films and each baby has had a newborn session. This was my first birth client to have hired me for a 2nd birth, which was really exciting. Both of her home births were daytime and just gorgeous. She hired Haven Birth + Wellness both times. I love that I get to be at many Haven births each year. I have grown close to the entire midwifery team and just love when we get to share the same birth space.My favorite part of how Erin moves through the journey of labor and birth, is how she verbalizes. It just makes her birth films have so much more story to them, and I love it. She verbalizes her fears and anxieties and what she is feeling physically. I love the story of her feelings and how her birth team really supported her. If you think you want your home birth filmed, you can contact me here. You can watch her film below: 

 

Nashville Birth Photographer | The Birth of Shiloh Owen

Being hired to video and photograph the most important days of a family's live.... it's just beyond words. It's a gift, and honor, and I truly never take it for granted.

Krista reached out to me about filming her birth. She and her husband are former wedding videographers themselves. There is no greater compliment than when other photographers and videographers choose me.

I was incredibly blessed to be able to come to Krista's birth of her 3rd baby, during the day time. We had such gorgeous weather for her March Birth. Her home birth team was incredible. Krista's labor progressed so fast, we worried the midwife would not make it! Baby was born within 10 minutes of the midwife arriving. It was fast, but incredibly beautiful.

Krista and Patrick did not find out the gender of their baby until he arrived. It was such an incredible moment as she found out he was a boy!

Doula: Kimberly Williams of https://growingyournest.com/

Midwife: Cameron https://libertymidwife.com/

The Birth of Shiloh PG from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.  

4 Benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping | Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer

In my 3 years of birth photography and videography experience, I have been drawn to so many elements presented before me in the birth space. Because of my decision to niche and only offer my services for home births, I frequently see similar birth plan decisions play out in the birth space. One of those being delayed cord clamping. I have yet to see any babies not delayed. I wondered what the benefits were, as this wasn't a known thing when I had my own babies in 2009 + 2012. As a person with a BS in developmental psychology, anything that affects a baby's health or development interests me. I thought I would share with you what I found.

According to the American College of obstetricians and gynecologists, here are 4 benefits of delayed cord clamping.

#1 Blood Benefits

In full term newborns, delayed cord clamping increases hemoglobin levels at birth and improves iron stores in the first months of life, which in turn can affect development. I know both of my boys had "low hemoglobin" and I remember  wondering how and why, as I was nursing. My 2nd baby, I even went so far as to serve him liver for one of his first foods and he still had this issue.

#2 Circulation + preterm babies

Delaying cord clamping was associated with SIGNIFICANT neonatal benefits in PRETERM babies. It improves their circulation, then better establish red blood cell volume.

#3 Premature Babies Benefit

In Premature babies, there is a lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (a severe complication within the intestines in premature babies).

#4 Reduced risks for preterm babies

Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping also decreases the need for a blood transfusion and decreases risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants.

If I were having a baby today, I would have a doula ready to keep the hospital from clamping too early especially if I went into labor early.

If you are thinking about having your birth filmed and photographed, please reach out! 

Birth Photography + Videography FAQ's

#1. What can you expect from your birth videographer + photographer? (aka me!)

I am a professional birth videographer and photographer who believes in throwing 150% of myself into each and every birth. My goal is to give you the best photos and video I can from the day of your birth. I believe in building a relationship with my clients (especially birth since it is such a sacred space!). This is why I not only meet you before we go through the booking process, but I meet you at your home. I want to see your birth space and see the vision you have for your birth. My goal is to bring you back to the very moment your baby entered the world for years to come.

#2 How soon should you book your birth photographer + videographer?

Immediately. I know that you have to go through the process of hiring a midwife and possibly a doula and getting insurance in order to pay for your home birth, but don't be afraid to start the conversation while you are getting your ducks in a row. I only take on 6 births a year, so availability is extremely limited.

#3 When do I arrive at your birth and how long do I stay?

I aim to arrive 2-3 hrs before delivery, around 6-7 cm (all a guesstimate, as we know!) and stay approximately 2 hours after birth. I am aiming to capture all of your transition phase of birth as well as immediately after birth as you have skin to skin, cut the cord, latch for the first time. I will also capture daddy holding baby for the first time, baby getting weighed and measured during their newborn assessment and then if applicable, the siblings meeting their little baby sibling.

#4 What happens if I miss the birth?

I give my clients the option of either having me call in a backup or converting their fees to other types of photography. Most often, clients don't want an unknown person walking into their birth space, so most often we plan to convert it to a credit (this has never happened by the way!). Clients can then use it for a family film or photography sessions.

#5 Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, I do! I can divide it up into 4-6 payments, depending on your preference. As long as your invoice is paid in full by 36 weeks, all is well!

Nashville Family Photographer | Full Circle: Maternity, Birth, Newborn Photography + Videography For The Lush Family

Any time a client hires me to photograph their family or create a video of their family, I am BEYOND honored. I know that's cliche, but its also HONEST. But when a family hires me more than once a year (I have several who do!) its just a compounded emotion. I bond with my clients, its the perk of my job. We become friends. We chat parenting and exchange wisdom. Anytime Malary has had a baby, she has hired me for maternity, newborn, baby and family photography. Once I added film, she began to get films too... for newborn/family sessions... But now I offer birth videography and photography, so she added that 😂😂😂 Which was AMAZING.

When I'm with The Lush Family, I feel their bond - these boys are SO closely bonded. I feel their love and passion for raising a close knit family. I feel the power of a mother who is determined to have the best damn life together. I feel her sentimental nature and love for things meaningful.

I think I did a great job of creating films that brought them back to this very moment in time. What it was like during her labor and delivery (film will not be posted) and what it was like to have a newborn baby boy, baby #5. I think the boys will rewatch it and remember what it was like, too. Im starting to get emotional when Im with them, because her oldest  is starting to morph into a teenager and I can see it is around the corner. I tell her to hold on to him, he is changing. Little Wyatt is almost gone, and in his place will be a man looking child 😂 Its a sad and beautiful transition.

Let's walk through The Lush Family sessions from this year.

Here is a sneak peek from Malary's Birth:

Newborn Film:

The Lush Family | June 2023 | Short Version from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.

Photos from their Newborn Family Photography and Film Session:

Nashville Birth Photographer + Videographer | The Birth of Josiah Shepherd

On Sunday, May 21st, I had the honor of filming and photographing the most gorgeous nighttime birth.

Malary was slightly passed due - which is her normal - She had gone to her son's baseball games that afternoon and contracted all the way through. That evening, her husband called me that things were moving fast. Given it's her fifth boy, I thought it could go very fast. I headed out around 8 pm and slightly sped the whole way. Her midwives - The Sara's - Sarah Fuqua and Sara Rosser - were there and ready.

When we got there, Malary was her usual self between contractions. Grabbing her kids for one last photo and managing everyone ?

After a bit, things got more and more intense. Between her husband and assisting midwife, she was managing pain well. Sarah rolled some oils on her back and helped her rock her hips which seemed to help a lot with her contractions. She got into the tub!

From there, things were frustrating for Malary. Baby wasn't coming out as quickly as we would expect. She had a lot of pain and was really expressing her frustration. They moved her to the bed and she was pushing VERY hard. Baby had shoulder dystocia and was kind of stuck, but thanks to amazing midwives, baby came out well! It was a hard delivery for Malary, but everything turned out beautifully.

Her Homebirth team rallied around her and helped her get comfortable and nursing right away. We all commented on this baby and how big he was. Malary said "ha! Michael's mom said he would be 10 lbs" and I said "we might wanna weigh him first!"

Sure enough, he was TEN POUNDS! her biggest baby yet!!!

You just never know how birth will go, even if you have had many babies!

Her birth film is remaining private, but is the BEST one I have ever created.

Here are a few images Malary was okay sharing.

I would LOVE to capture your home birth! Let's connect! 

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4 Tips for Creating a Cozy and Relaxing Birth Space | Nashville Birth Photographer + Videographer

How a mother decorates her birth space matters for a few reasons. For one, She is going to want to feel good in her environment during her labor and birth. The decor should feel inspiring and encouraging. But also, if she is hiring a photographer or videographer, the lighting may impact how the film and photos turns out.

Keep reading for 4 Tips to make your home birth space look cozy and relaxing!

If you are thinking about having a birth videographer/photographer at your birth, my calendar books up fast! Contact me here!

#1 Get the WHITE Birth Tub.

This makes a huge difference in the way your birth photos and video turn out. As you can see below, the blue tub creates a blue color cast onto baby's face. In the white, tub it not only does not do that but it also reflects light onto baby's face, even though the window is not facing baby, which is SO helpful for brighter photos and video! Not to mention the aesthetic of the room changes entirely! This tub is beautiful and many local doulas and midwives have them to rent.

#2 Get some twinkly lights

(and put them behind a sheer white curtain)

If your birth is at night, this helps light the room beautifully. You want to avoid orangey things like salt lamps and battery powered candles and add in things that bring a more neutral color of light into the room. I also tell my clients to use table side lamps in addition to help really create a brighter birth space. If the room is not lit well, the photos and video will be dark and grainy. Not only that, but if it's too dark, I have issues focusing. My camera can't see to focus and you can end up with blurry photos and video. No one wants to pay all that money to hire a birth videographer and photographer to end up with low quality photos and video!

#3 Create a space for affirmations.

You can use an affirmation banner (they sell these on Etsy, or you can create your own). Or you can just tape beautiful bible verses and affirmations to the wall. This not only encourages you during labor but also provides a beautiful and calm setting to birth in. I tend to video this so that I can tell the story in a more clear way as well.

#4 You can hang a tapestry.

This can serve two purposes... You decorate your space  AND encourage yourself with words! You can shop this tapestry below on Amazon. 

(contains affiliate links)

Nashville Birth Photographer + Videographer | Midwife Feature: Sara Rosser

Sara Rosser (who has a midwife assistant, Sarah Fuqua who works along side her) is a local midwife, based in Columbia Tennessee. I have attended two births with her and Sarah (known as the Sara's)  as the midwife and she is just amazing! She is so peaceful and calm. In fact, most times she hardly touches the patient. Not out of laziness, but out of giving them space to labor. As long as they have what they need, she doesn't get involved much. But if a patient needs her, she is full on there.

Her practice revolves around the freedom of birthing, less interventions, providing a safe environment with positive reinforcement to get through the birth. She fully believes in the mother is the one who is in charge. That it's her body and her right to be in control at all times. She believes in informed consent. I have heard her ask the mother in labor more than once "are you okay If I touch you?". She is also a Trauma Informed care provider, meaning she is informed about birth trauma and how that can effect a woman and her future births.

She never announces how dilated the mother is, IF she even checks. She is a very quiet fly on the wall, she may even be more of a fly on the wall than I am. She just lets mom labor and pops in for a heart rate check on baby every so often. She has trained and worked for The Farm Midwives and is such a phenomenally talented midwife and a beautiful person. If a mother wanted to hire Sara, they can have her at their home birth, or have a birth at The Farm.

There is a review on Sara's website that sums her up perfectly:

                                                                                                                                                                        “Sara knew just when to help and just when to give me space to progress on my own.”

— Samantha

When a client hires me, and I find out that Sara (and Sarah) is their midwife, I am beyond excited. It is such a peaceful environment and the energy is just so quiet and calm. Sara has the best energy with a calm knowing that all is well. Learn more about my Birth Videography and Photography. Or You can inquire about it here.

Nashville, Tennessee Birth Photographer + Videographer | Why is birth photography so important

WHY SHOULD YOU HIRE A BIRTH VIDEOGRAPHER + PHOTOGRAPHER...

...INSTEAD OF JUST HAVING YOUR PARTNER/MOM/DOULA/FRIEND-WITH-A-GOOD-CAMERA TAKE PICTURES FOR YOU?

A birth film is an amazing cinematic film telling the story of the day you gave birth. My goal is to tell THE WHOLE story. The story of who was there for you, how they supported you. How emotional your journey was bringing your baby into the world and how meeting your precious baby was a huge emotional experience. 

Here are some of the reasons you should hire a birth videographer and photographer.

1. To help you remember. The moments you are in labor and delivering your baby, make it impossible to be present AT your own birth. Many times, your eyes are close. You are focusing on getting through each contraction and pushing a baby out. So while, there is an amazing experience, you don't get to also have the bird's eye view of what happened. Even for Dad, depending on how delivery goes, he might want to remember as well.

   Given that your birth experience is an intense journey, your memory will be lacking. Having a film to retell the story of your birth team and how they supported you as well as your bond with your husband and how impactful he was in your birth is such a treasure.

   Being able to relive your baby's first cry and your first moments together. There is nothing more valuable.

   For one, you cannot really comprehend the experience you are about to have. Its beyond anything you can ever prepare for.

   You can't really grasp how important these moments...until AFTER baby is here .

   As much as you believe your memory will not fade, it will. Between sleepless nights and nursing and diapers, the memories will fade as new seasons in your life come.

2. Being able to revisit the most important seasons of your life, through video and photos, will be a cherished treasure.

   Capturing the love that poured into your birth, how connected you were to your spouse. The first words spoken to your baby.

   It's beyond words to have these captured on video.

   Many mothers get these done in subsequent pregnancies. Why? Because they come to understand. They usually wish they had done a video and photos with their first baby.

3. With modern technology, we are able to capture a lot on phones. But giving a husband or family member a phone to capture some video and photos, keeps them from experiencing the birth themselves.

   They cannot be fully present for you.

   It is also a lot of pressure to be responsible for capturing video of the birth, while simultaneously experiencing emotions themselves.

   When you hire a birth photographer, you delegate the photos to a professional and let your partner do what they are best at, which is support you.

   Wouldn't I be better off with a photographer who is also a doula?

   This is a question I see often.

   I fully believe in your ability to make that decision for yourself and fully respect it.

   However, I have often wondered how anyone can do both effectively.

   Especially with videography, I cannot possibly be in a deep focus on the story of your birth while managing to effectively support you through doula services.

   In my professional opinion AND as a mother who had a doula.... I do not know how anyone can do both job simultaneously and truly show up in that role. Each one requires full focus and ability to adapt and be fully in that head space.

   If one is doing both, they are not doing each job to the best of their ability.

   I could go get trained as a doula, so I could offer it and compete. But at the end of the day, my #1 job is not being competitive. It's showing up for my client in the best way possible. I know my job is to tell your birth story and I know I need to be fully present in that role to do that WELL.

   I work with so many second and third time moms who tell me that their number one regret from their first birth was that they didn’t hire a birth videographer + photographer. It’s normal to feel uncertain about the birth process when you haven’t gone through it, but one thing that seems consistent is that most moms say that their birth was one of the most powerful days of their life...and that it was also a blur.

   There is so much happening physically and emotionally when you give birth, and there are so many little and big moments that you, your partner, and your children will want to look back on in the years to come. Much like your wedding day! As a professional birth photographer, I’m highly trained to read your non-verbal cues and to recognize the different stages of the birth process. My presence is often incredibly calming and reassuring to the families I work with. But most importantly, I provide my families with timeless images and sacred video of some of the best moments of their life.

If you are thinking about having a birth film done for your birth (with photos!), please reach out, I love doing a few births a year and would love to chat with you! 

You can also learn more about Birth Videography and Photography here!

Below are some of my birth testomonials from past birth clients!