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 | The Birth of Emerson True
I was about to be on call, it was the day my client - Krystal - turned 37 weeks. I woke to a voicemail and text I had missed - because that night I would have officially gone on call. Thank God, I woke early that morning. I could not believe my client was already in labor! I woke my husband and he made me coffee while I got ready super fast (did not even brush my teeth) and I was off. Thank God... because I was only at Krystal's for 30 minutes before baby Emerson made his grand entrance. Krystal had a very traumatic hospital birth with her first baby, so this birth was extremely redemptive for her. Becoming a mother is significantly harder with a traumatic birth. You start off in such a doubtful place, with less confidence. Because internally - subconsciously - many mothers already feel like a failure. What I love about having her home birth filmed is that it adds to the redemption of this birth for her. Because there were so many parts that she could not remember. and on top of that, watching herself give birth solidifies her belief in herself as a mother. She not only remembers bravely birthing her son, but can watch herself bravely birth with great strength. I loved capturing all of it. The very best part is 2 minutes after Emerson is born, she holds him and rocks and lets a series of emotions come. I posted this segment on my instagram and it has pretty much gone viral.
I present to you, 9.5 minutes of beautiful birth video.
Midwife: Haven Birth and Wellness
Doula: Dani Huka of Motheringarrows
The Birth of Emerson True | March 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
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.
- 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.
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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.
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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!
Nashville, Tennessee Birth Photographer + Videographer | Why is birth photography so expensive
Why is birth photography and videography so expensive?
Filming and photographing a birth is like shooting a wedding, except my client will call you at an unknown time on an unknown day. I make sure all of my equipment is ready and on me at all times, so I can drop everything and get there as fast as I can. Once I am at a birth, I could be there for 2 hours or 12, it's hard to say. But I'm ALL in, so I will stay for as long as it takes. I am on call from 37 weeks until 42 weeks. During that time, I cannot travel or even get into a kayak and go down a river. Because I have to be able to drop everything and go at any moment. Even if it's my son's birthday or soccer game.
Birth Photography and Videography is so unique.
Birth photography and video is unlike any other genre. I mean, we are capturing the most intimate possible milestone in a person's life. But in terms of cost, it compares to high end wedding videography and photography (which you usually get one person who does video and one who does photos, rather than one who does both!)
It takes a lot of skill to learn the craft of filming and photographing a birth. I need to be able to capture the birth in any light situation, be able to be a fly on the wall as to not disturb the birth space, and be able to beautiful tell the entire story - not just clicking a button on a camera.
After I come home from a birth, I have to sort through hundreds of photos and video clips. Video editing is extensively time consuming. There are so many pieces that go into editing a film. I never edit to just get it done, I take my time and make sure the music and the way I piece it all together tell the story of how mom labored, how her support team and husband helped and loved her through her labor and then how she was able to fully get baby out. After birth, mom holds and nurses baby and no one rushes baby from mom (since I do only home births)... so I hang around until baby is weighed and daddy gets to hold the baby. Sometimes, if it is day time, I get to capture siblings meeting for the first time. I get to capture these first beautiful hours as a family. The first latch, the first cry.... it's all so incredible.
You can divide up payments
This is true with any family film session or photography session or birth. As long as your total is paid in full by your session date or by the day I go on call, you can divide up payments in any way you want. I'm a big fan of letting you do it how you want and making it work for you. I am just so excited you are prioritizing these memories and I Cannot wait to work with you!
To learn more about my birth videography and photography, click here.
Here are a few things clients have said about cost...
Nashville Birth Photographer | Should I hire a photographer who doubles as a doula?
I gave birth to my 2nd son in 2012, and had a doula and a midwife at my birth at Vanderbilt hospital in Nashville, TN. I loved them both and could not imagine my birth without them. My doula, made a HUGE difference in my labor pains. In fact, when she left to go to the bathroom, I was so upset she wasn't working on my back because it made such a difference and I had a contraction while she was in there.I also had a filmmaker at my birth and have been obsessed with my birth film since. It is absolutely one of my most treasured possessions.There is no way I could have had one person fill these roles. Each one had their own very complex job that required a lot of brain work and I could not have gone through a contraction without my doula, and therefore, she also could not have been photographing and or videoing my birth for me.Years later, as I have stepped into the role of Birth Videographer and photographer, I have seen sweet well meaning people in the industry of birth, offer both as a package. I have explored this idea for myself and also what my opinion of it was. I have talked to mothers who have had doulas and I have spoken to many birth workers themselves and they all say the same thing... One person cannot do both jobs well. I have also heard from birth workers that they have witnessed these individuals in person and that they were not able to be there for the client as a birth support because they were too busy trying to capture their birth. I have a friend who is both a doula and a birth photographer, she said she offered the combo twice and that "it was terrible" and so she never offered the combination again. She made them hire her for one or the other and then hire another person.You, are the mother. This is YOUR birth. This is your choice. But because it is so important for the birth space and experience, I felt compelled to share my thoughts in a blog. I will never put the ability to book clients because I sold them a package deal to beat my competition or to make my brand look better, over the ability to provide the BEST footage of their birth. My clients come first, not my profits. But also, I do not know the intentions of these sweet meaning people and have no idea why they decided to offer both. My only assumption is to provide a package deal. But if the package deal does not serve the client, then it should not be offered.To learn more about Documenting Birth, click here.
Franklin Birth Videographer + Photographer | Erin's Birth Story
The sun was shining so brightly. It was around lunch time, when my dear client, Erin, texted me it was time to head her way. A Baby would be born!I arrived at 12:30. The sun was coming into her bedroom, where baby would enter the world. It was a truly beautiful sight.The midwife and her nurse assistant were there, already tending to mom's needs. Haven Birth and Wellness is an amazing Home birth midwifery practice out of Franklin, Tennessee. About 10 years ago, Lauren (the lead midwife and starter of Haven) was my midwife at Vanderbilt when I had my son. She was so amazing. I hope someday to film a birth that she is the attending midwife at.Shortly after I arrived, Erin's doula, Dani, came. Dani (Motheringarrows on ig) brought such a peaceful presence with her. The environment was already pretty peaceful. But Dani was this quiet calm spirit. It was amazing observing her in her element. My favorite part was when she prayed over Erin during labor.The first part of Erin's birth journey had some emotions, fear and anxiety trying to take hold. I loved capturing her tears and her voice as she voices her fears and thoughts. In my opinion, this is just par for the course. Bringing a baby into the world is a place of vulnerability. It is my opinion that the best births come from women who are able to fully let go and embrace all of their vulnerability. So, working through the emotions is part of how we arrive at delivering the baby.Erin's husband was amazing. Between contractions, he would whisper to her. I don't have the audio in a way that actually gives us what was said. and, I kind of like that its a secret between the two of them. In the film, I will have that audio and that conversation - and we don't know what is said. But they do. and they will remember. It is truly such a beautiful moment between husband and wife.Erin's labor starts to intensify. You can sense her fear and then as she works through each contraction, you can sense her letting go and submitting fully. With Jesus and her birth team, Erin feels fully supported in her journey of bringing her baby boy into the world.Dani wrote in her instagram story the most beautiful perfect wording to describe this stage of birth for Erin (and many mothers). "The end. The part where you really come to the end of yourself. I told one of the midwives yesterday that there's a whole mindset in the birth world that 'you got this' ... and the reality is... you can't... NOT alone. God designs birth to break us...to break the complete end of ourselves. We find HIM in this place, if we choose to look up and fix our eyes. I think that's why I have always treasured birth, found it so utterly profound and beautiful. It's because as we lose ourselves, and find HIM and he swoops right in and holds us and helps us get our babies here."I hope Dani writes more about her introspection into the birth space. She has profound intelligence into the depth of birth.Erin was breathtaking and a warrior in her birth. That sweet baby came into the world, both shoulders simultaneously coming at brute force (poor Erin, but she did it!) all 8 lbs of this precious boy.Thank you for reading. If you want to inquire about birth videography and photography in the Nashville area, contact me here. P.S. Erin wore this beautiful night gown from free people in cream during her early labor and in navy after baby was born. 
Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | The birth of Faye Susan
The Birth of Faye Susan. Baby girl #2 for the Phamvan Family. Just a small warning, there is a lot of intimacy in this video.
Baby Faye arrived 2 days after her due date. Everyone patiently awaited her arrival with the anticipation of a home birth. Around Thanksgiving, it was discovered that Faye was breech. This caused some concerns but the birth team remained positive that baby would turn. A version was
scheduled for December 1st. Stresses were starting to rise. But a few days prior to the appointment, baby finally turned! The family could move forward with the planned home birth. We all rejoiced and went back to our patient waiting.
Erin (momma) has fast babies. There is always a concern that baby might come before myself or the midwife can arrive. But, thankfully, everyone arrived right around 8 cm. Great right? we have time? HA! Baby arrived within 15 minutes of my arrival! Momma was in the shower for 5 or
so of those minutes. I was working on my settings in between walking out of the bathroom to defog my lens. I was still working on getting my settings adjusted to the bedroom light when she says "I'm bearing down!" When baby is literally coming, you have to settle in on your camera
settings and just shoot and pray. Her scene was set for birth, with low light and lots of ambiance. Peaceful music and and warm calm environment for baby's arrival. That can make focusing and having a brighter film difficult, but thats the reality of filming in real life. Some birth
photographers and videographers will bring lights or a flash, but I feel thats too disruptive to the birth environment. I have labored naturally and environment is everything.
After Faye was born, I spent the next few hours filming and photographing their family together, as big sister came to meet Faye and as baby was weighed and measured. I love that they planned champagne together afterwards, it was such a perfect ending to this birth video.
Having your birth videoed and photographed is one of the most amazing decisions a mother can make. They forever keep that first moment as her baby was born, her first words she spoke when she saw her baby for the first time... That first cry. There is nothing else like it. I had my 2nd
birth filmed and photographed and it is the most precious gift. Memories quickly fade after birth and recalling the moments becomes harder and harder. I just wish I had my first son's birth also on video. Don't miss the opportunity! Reach out to me and let's talk about capturing your birth.
Nashville, Tennessee Birth Photographer + Videographer | Crystal's Birth Video
Up until recently, I haven't been able to offer Birth Films or Photography. We dont have family that lives in the area and my kids were too young. But our lives have shifted. My husband's job is more flexible to be able to leave and come home midday if needed. My boys are now 9&12 and can stay at home for limited times.
For the past 4 years, I have had my dozen or so doulaand midwife friends beg me to do births. But I resisted for the reasons already mentioned, plus I really needed my sleep.
Crystal is amazing. I was crying as I was filming. I was in awe of her calm and bravery. Crystal has 2 girls and this was her 3rd. Her first two were hospital inductions. She’s a nicu nurse as well and dreamed of her home birth.
After Presley (her 3rd baby girl) was born, she said home birth unmedicated was significantly easier than hospital induction.
I was at her house for about 2 hrs before baby arrived earth side.
What I found most fascinating about this home birth was the lack of interference or commentary. Never did anyone announce how close to birth she was. How dilated she was. They were very hands off. They knew momma could birth. And they simply allowed it.
At one point crystal said “for a second I thought I could push but it went away” and the midwife replied “okay then don’t push”
Basically. Trust yourself.
Trusting your self is 95% of everything. And 100% of how a baby is birthed.
Crystal's Birth Midwife: https://www.sararosser.com
Crystal's Doula: https://www.rebirthingwellness.com
Crystal's Placenta Encapsulation: https://www.instagram.com/the.mamadoula/
Crystal took the time to write a review on my google page: "Jennie is so amazing!!! What she captured during my daughter's birth is absolutely priceless! Watching her video afterwards was such an empowering, whimsical, and spiritual experience!!! There were moments that had just happened days before that I had already forgotten, until I saw the video! My 2 yo, who was present at the birth, requests to watch the video frequently, she absolutely loves it. I can not wait for my youngest to be able to see the moment she came into this world! My only regret is not having any of her videos before now! If I were to ever have another birth, setting aside and prioritizing funds in order to have her there will be a must for me! I look forward to having her do family films for us in the future! Hands down she is THE BEST in the business! Her passion and talents are a true gift! And she truly cares about each and every client! Having her at our birth was absolutely a blessing from God! If you don't hire Jennie, you will regret it!"
Big Sister was there for her momma a lot. Both girls were in the room and absolutely not panicked about what was happening. Kids often have an internal sense of what is happening. It is so neat to watch.
This bottom image of dad, mom and baby ripped me to shreds emotionally. Just an absolutely amazing moment. Raw emotion. I would love to capture your birth! Let's chat.
xoxo
Jennie