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.
Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | The Richardson Family
Yesterday, I spent a few hours in the afternoon after finishing this film in a space of deep deep gratitude. I spent years in the photography industry and had NO idea I was not yet at my calling. Knowing this is my calling gives me an indescribable feeling - the closest thing I can use to describe it is if you know what it feels like to be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Which I believe I am when I film). I cannot believe I am this talented (Which is hard for me to admit, I am definitely my own worst critic). I cannot believe that I get to do this for families. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen (family films) and the most beautiful thing I feel so incredibly honored to create. I feel so blessed.
I know, that was a lot of cheesy, but it's truly what is on my heart and I write what is on my heart.
I feel SO honored to film this beautiful family twice a year. This film is my best work so far. I love it and them so incredibly much. (Mushy aren't I?)
They love their kids immensely and play and laugh often. I love Meg's Pregnant belly as part of the story but not a bold declaration like in a maternity session. I love telling the story of each relationship in the family... so Meg and her baby girl and how connected they are... the season where she won't really go to anyone else often. The season of their son and dad being more bonded and how they horse around a lot. The season of just two kids before they add another... I cannot wait to film them this fall again with their third child.
Family photo sessions can be fun, relaxed AND super easy! Contact me and let's have the easiest session of your life!
The Richardson Family | April 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | 8 ideas to make your family photo session different from the rest.
I talk about how much family photography has changed over the years. Let me give you some insight into the back end of photography businesses and explain why many photographers are copy cat / cookie cutter photographers. (no offense to any of them, I was one of them!)
About 10 years ago, social media REALLY took off. There was a very business friendly algorithm on facebook and we could post and go viral easily. As such, a handful of amazing photographers became the leaders of the industry. That lead to people wanting to do work that looked just like them. Which lead to photographers wanting to learn from other photographers. A beautiful thing. But like all things, there is always a downside. The downsides to this was that 1. It cheapened the industry and created a photographer on every corner. and 2. It lead to a copycat industry. The main photographer sold her process and editing style to hundreds, who then trained others and so on. And I recall 5 or so years ago, scrolling and not being able to distinguish between photographers. I have a personality that likes to be different than the rest. So this sat weird with me. Then I found Family films and really felt like we had lead away from the true intention of memory making and that we have created a photography industry built on trends and facades and away from real memories.
Don't get me wrong. ALL photos have value. But we have a generation that has only Christmas card photos and nothing from their everyday. Oh Cell phone photos? You mean the THOUSANDS they have stored somewhere on a cloud? Unless moms print those.... they don't end up being handed down. I think cell phone photos have also lead us to miss out on our real memories, because they make us think we are capturing our everyday... Except nothing happens with them.
Back to my main topic... 8 ideas to make your family photo session different or unique!
Make it personal.
Do it at your home or favorite place that you visit in REAL life. Don't choose a random park you rarely go to at a time you would never go and sit on a quilt you would never sit on in clothes you would never wear ?
What are your favorite memories right now?
Those will be the ones you want to revisit later.
While I do prioritize making BEAUTIFUL images, perfectly composed... It comes SECOND to MEANINGFUL moments. and sometimes a meaningful moment is not the most viral posted photo. Sometimes it's kind of just regular. But to the family in the photo ... its MEMORIES and MEANINGFUL. The photo below is of their normal life, building legos together on the floor. This momma wrote in her questionnaire that this was meaningful to her. So it was photographed.
Never look at the camera
- okay maybe for ONE photo - but really. Let the camera and photographer be a fly on the wall. You'll get the BEST candids!
Embrace the chaos or not so curated moments.
Some of the best photos come when a child is tired or a toddler has fallen down and needs a loving embrace. Sometimes, its the only time they want to be held!
Trust your photographer!
Trust that we can deal with imperfect moments, messy homes and stressed out families! I am really good at handling the occasional rough morning before I arrive. and Mom is stressed and I can usually diffuse the energy well. I am also VERY patient. That leads to the most successful sessions.
Don't worry about what you look like.
just be with your kids and spouse.
Let me worry about angles that are flattering. When you focus on family connection, the rest is magic.
Have a documentary photo session.
These are the type I offer, whether it is a family film or documentary style day in the life photography sessions... and the reason they are so wonderful is that they are SO easy. You don't have to get all gussied up and you don't have to force anyone to do anything. You literally do whatever you want! If your toddler changes activities every 2 minutes, then all we have to do is follow them around ?
Hesitant Dad?
Does dad hate photo sessions? Absolutely he will love documentary then! Dads LOVE me... why? Because I don't force them to smile at me or pose awkwardly. They just have to be with their kids. It is SO easy.
Interested in a family day in the life photo session or family film? I would LOVE to talk to you! Contact me 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.
Franklin, Tennessee Newborn Photographer | The Cook Family
This family... is just breathing taking. They are a very good looking bunch, but I'm speaking more about their hearts. Their heart for one another, their heart for how they live and how they parent. I absolutely fell hard for them. I am truly blessed to have such amazing clients. About 5 weeks before this newborn / family session, I filmed and photographed their birth. I will link to it once it is done.
I love documentary family and newborn sessions because they focus on what REALLY happened in this season of their life. I truly believe that telling a story with photos that is real and true, is extremely important. I could easily pose families at sunset and get a zillion clients, but I stay true to what I think is important and focus on the story within each family.
In this season of having two young boys, one nearing the end of toddler stage and a newborn baby... that season is short and chaotic. Remembering these days is hard. We focused on the chaos of having a 3 year old boy and the sweet joy of having a newborn baby boy. And striking a balance between the two dynamics. I love capturing mothers with their sons and dads with their sons - especially dads who are just large kids too! If you want a newborn or family photo session, contact me here. I would LOVE to work with you!
Here are some messages I received after their initial sneak peek and then later, after their gallery opened.
a text between husband and wife...
and after her sneak peek was sent to her... "JENNIE!!! ??? I am legit crying. These are so, so special. The pictures of Z and I hit me especially hard. Man he has been so tough at times, but he’s such an amazing kid. ?❤️"This is the BEST form of payment! If only compliments paid bills ?Okay, here are the photos!
Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | The Douglass Family
During my time with The Douglass Family, I was filled with joy, happiness, love, laughter and connection. Their home has such a warm cozy, safe to be yourself, feeling. It might seem like chaos, to do a family film with four children. But I promise, it works out! All sessions do, simply because I am patient and know what I'm doing ? Families trust me - and that makes or breaks the session. I have been blessed beyond measure to gain the clients I have. I love meeting new and old clients each year. Seeing their children grow and their family change year after year. Its the biggest blessing and highest honor (as cheesy as that may seem!)
The Douglass Family spent their morning baking their favorite food - they genuinely love baking together. Sometimes other clients say to me "we don't bake together so I don't know how we would do a film" and my response to that is that... these families bake in their films because they bake together regularly. The film and photography sessions are aimed for what YOUR family does together. That's the whole point - YOUR REAL LIFE.
This family had such beautiful and meaningful audio... their laughter on the trampoline and their mother reading to them on the sofa. Sounds that are apart of their daily life. Sound is so powerful.
Our memories deserve sound and movement.
Without sound and movement, the story is not fully told.
If you want to see more family stories, follow me on Instagram.
The Douglass Family | February 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Nashville Maternity Photographer | An Evening with The Gerhart Family
Beautiful weather, a beautiful pregnant mother, her son, husband... and goats and chickens. What else could I need to have the coolest maternity session ever?
I have spoken many times about how I feel about maternity sessions. To be honest, social media trends have lead us to focus more on putting a woman in a dress in field than actually telling any kind of story about her pregnancy and life. I cannot tell any maternity photographer from another. They all use the same dresses, backgrounds and presets. Its copy and paste on repeat. Don't get me wrong, all photos have value. But I have said many times, we have lost the real purpose behind photography.
Telling a story.
What was she doing day to day during her pregnancy? What was life outside of the womb? Later, that baby will grow to be an adult. That child might wonder what their mother was like before they were born...How does placing them in a dress in a field tell that story? What are we unintentionally robbing this family of by not giving them their story?
After our shoot, I sent over a few images to show Joy (the beautiful mother) and this was her reply:
"Oh my word. This exceeds any expectations I possibly had. I honestly don’t have words right now. I just keep scrolling through them and have new favorites every single time. This is amazing. You’re so talented. I am amazed!!"
This beautiful momma was caring for her toddler, growing her veggies, and tending to goats and chickens during her pregnancy. I cannot wait to film her birth in the coming months.
If you're curious, I wrote a blog about whether or not professional photos were worth it. It's a good read.
