About Jenn
My silly family, this photo really sums up ‘us’.
HI THERE! I'M JENN - THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW ME!
I’m a birth photographer and doula, and I believe that your birth story matters. One of the most important things that we can do for our own births, is to choose a birth team that supports us and our wishes. A team who allows us to be exactly who we are, however we choose to give birth. I work with sentimental couples that embrace the empowering beauty of birth and the loving chaos of parenthood; I'm there to witness and authentically document your sacred birth story.
I’d love to first chat with you on the phone, so that I can hear your vision for birth and what you are looking for in a support team. It’s never too early to reach out.
Our family moved back to our native home, Michigan, in 2018, after living in Denver, Colorado for 15 years. As much as we love the mountains and the weather in Denver, after having kids, we knew it was time to move back to be with family. We found a home in the Chelsea area, and I'm excited to photograph births in Ann Arbor, Jackson, and Detroit. My birth photography business started in Denver in the year 2013 as a birth photographer, in 2015 I took my doula certification course and I’m also the Co-Founder of Birth Becomes You with my BFF Monet. .
Here is a little bit more about my little family, our two feisty girls, and our crazy life!
Birth is important to me because…..
I believe that Birth can be sensual and affectionate. I want Birthing Families to feel supported, heard and empowered during their birth experience.
My two birth stories were very different. One was an induction which led to a c-section, the other was a VBAC.
Both of my labors were sensual and I felt very supported by my husband.
I had a cesarean birth with my first child. I had to transfer from a local birth center and was induced for high blood pressure. This was devastating for me at the time. My daughter, Magnolia, was born by emergent cesarean late at night after a long two days full of pitocin-induced contractions.
My daughter Magnolia’s birth is the reason that I started in birth work.
Magnolia is my muse. My whole world changed after she came to me. She’s the reason I started birth photography. I remember staring up at the ceiling during her cesarean birth, wishing that she was coming out of me in another way. At that time, I couldn’t feel her and definitely couldn’t see her. I want all families to have photos from their birth so that they can look back on these moments and have more than blurry memories.
I’m a VBAC mama and I relate to those families who are working to achieve their VBAC.
My second birth was more empowering, but I still had to transfer from home to the hospital after 2 days in labor. She didn’t arrive for another 12 hours after I had to transfer. It was long and hard, but worth it.
If you want to read more about my VBAC birth, you can find my story here.
I believe that birth stories are love stories.
Some more things about me….
I keep cards and letters from my loved ones, especially my 95 year old grandmother. I have all of her letters stashed in our filing cabinet. She passed away in March of 2021, and I’m considering a tattoo of her signature on my wrist. <3
I believe that children, like chickens, should be free range. My children can be seen (and heard) running around outside our yard, at any given time. We used to have chickens when we lived in Denver, but now that we are here in the country, the only animal we have is our dog….(that will change, eventually).
I love surprises, the bigger, the better. My husband still surprises me, even after 19 years together. The best surprise was when he proposed and I had NO idea! We got married in our early 20s and will be married for 18 years this fall (20 together!)
I love to travel, and I want to see all the beaches, mountains and all of the things in between. Our little family was about to take our first international trip together when Covid hit. We are putting that on the schedule for next year!
My ideal date night is a hike in the woods or kayak ride down the river, visiting local breweries for a good IPA and then eating at a great restaurant for dinner. We love food! (and beer!)
I LOVE to hike, it’s amazing to see how far your feet can really take you! While I was pregnant with Magnolia, I hiked many mountains over 12,000 feet with just myself and my little passenger and our dogs.
I’ve never had an obsession with ‘buying’ anything before, but that all changed when I found PLANTS. Now, I have a plant problem. I have about 100 plants currently alive in my home, but there is definitely space for more!
Reach Out Today!
The day my daughter was born. Via Cesarean Birth. It wasn’t what we expected and it took me a long time to be accepting of her story. But because of her, I am doing what I love. She is my muse, she gave me Birth Work and for that, and of course HER, I am forever grateful.
My muse and my VBAC baby <3
Magnolia and Clementine
The loves of my life.
One is sensitive and generous, the other is feisty and emotional, they are both strong willed…of course ;)
(photo by me)