So many things to say about the beautiful home birth of Miss Tessa. Her mama, Katie is a Seattle doula and her papa is a pastor at a local church. I arrived in the early morning hours to a home filled with warmth, the soothing sounds of worship music, and the gentle buzz of excitement as we all prepared to welcome this sweet soul to earth.

On the morning Tessa was born I witnessed the confluence of laughter, focus, power and surrender. Birth calls us to deep places within ourselves. It shows us our strength and our vulnerability like nothing else can. Katie and Tessa labored with the gentle support and confidence of all those present in their home - and they truly experienced a sacred birthing day.

The sweet voices of her little boys calling to check in. “You can do it, Mama. We love you.”

Then it was time to push. A mighty endeavor for this mama who was pregnant two whole weeks longer than she had been with her previous children. She fell into a rhythm of push and rest, push and rest. Giving her all and then floating in the support of the water and the loving hands around her. She’s almost there.

A hushed reverence descended in the room as Katie and Tessa entered the last leg of their birthing journey together. The stillness broken only by the roar of a mother who finally reached down to deliver her long awaited daughter.

I love this moment. When you look down in awe, amazed that you made something so perfect - something so miraculous. As a birth photographer in Seattle, it brings me such joy to create art that bottles this feeling for a birthing person. YOU did this! YOU are incredible. Congratulations my dear friend - and thank you for allowing me the great honor to be there.