A Sacred Night in New Orleans

Some moments are so powerful, they leave everyone in the room changed. On July 31st, I had the immense honor of documenting and supporting the Jeffries family during their beautiful home birth in New Orleans, Louisiana. As both their birth doula and photographer, I witnessed strength, surrender, and sacred celebration.

What Made This Session Special:

• Quick Transition: Labor shifted from slow and steady to fast and furious in a heartbeat.
• Emotional Worship: Post-birth praise filled the room with tears and deep emotion.
• Dual Role: I supported the family physically and documented their story through images.

Why This Matters:

1. Capturing the Intangible: Birth photography preserves sacred, fleeting moments.
2. Empowering the Family: These images tell the story of resilience and faith.
3. Serving Deeply: Being a doula and photographer allows for whole-family care.

This birth was raw, holy, and unforgettable. Keep reading to experience this incredible journey through my lens as a birth photographer in New Orleans, Louisiana!

This New Orleans Home Birth Began in the Still of the Night

Birth often begins when the world is quiet—and that’s exactly how the Jeffries family’s second baby made his entrance. On July 31st, under the cover of night in their New Orleans home, this strong mama rode the waves of labor with grace. She had a slower early labor compared to her first birth, but when active labor hit, everything moved fast.

She barely made it into the birth pool before her baby boy arrived—just 15 minutes later! While we didn’t capture much of the labor itself, what came after was nothing short of sacred.

Sacred Stillness and Worship

Once mom and baby were settled into bed and the placenta delivered, she asked for a worship song—an offering of gratitude to Jesus. As the melody filled the room, everyone present—mom, dad, midwives, doula / photographer—was overcome with emotion.

We all wept.

I remember blinking through tears, camera in hand, heart full. It was one of those rare moments when heaven and earth feel indistinguishably close. These are the moments that birth photography is all about.

Serving Through Two Lenses

As both the doula and the photographer, I was able to provide continuous support while also capturing the quiet, golden moments that define birth. From grabbing my rebozo to snapping a photo of baby’s first breath, this experience reminded me how special it is to serve families in southeast Louisiana in such a personal, meaningful way.

Why Birth Photography Matters

In our culture, birth can feel clinical or rushed—but home birth offers space for slowness, for ritual, and for reverence. Documenting those first skin-to-skin cuddles, the joy on a father’s face, and the strength in a mother’s body tells a story that words alone can’t capture.

Being a birth photographer in New Orleans, Louisiana allows me to witness miracles. It’s work I never take for granted.

Final Thoughts

To the Jeffries family: thank you for trusting me to walk beside you during one of life’s most transformational experiences. Your story is one of courage, gratitude, and deep love.

A special thank you to the Jeffries family’s midwifery team – Tiffany Middendorf and Kimberly Navarro – of Saige Midwifery & Birth Center, who were absolutely wonderful to work with a provided excellent care to the family.

If you’re looking for a birth photographer in New Orleans, Louisiana or Southeast Louisiana, I’d be honored to support your story, too!