Being a birth worker means I hold sacred space during the most vulnerable, hard, and beautiful moments of families intimate birth experiences. I’m forever grateful for that honor and opportunity.

I’m a doula and birth photographer for clients who want support and value documenting their birth story.

What is a birth worker?

A birth worker is someone who provides emotional comfort, educational information, and physcial support before, during, and after birth. Sometimes known as a labor coach, within the birth community, I’m called a doula (doo-luh).

I became a postpartum doula in 2017 after the encouragement of my friend, and own doula. 3 years later a friend asked if I’d attend her birth as a doula and ever since then I have loved partnering with families to enhance their birth experience.

Let's chat about doula services

Image Credit: Devon Tracy

Liz Walsh provides hip squeezes while her client labors through and intense contraction at the Birth Center of Bloomington Normal.

Image Credit: Devon Tracy

Why hire a doula?

According to this study doulas positively impact maternal and fetal outcomes in birth. This includes:

Reduction of cesarean rates
Increase in successful lactation journey
Overall satisfaction of birth outcome
Reduction of anxiety and stress
Reduction of length of labor
Increase in confidence and autonomy during labor

My job as a doula is to partner with both the expectant parent and their significant other. I tell my clients that I’m the least important person in the equation, but my role is signifcant nonetheless. I strive to educate my clients with evidence based information, helpling them formulate thoughtful questions that lead to informed decisions. I teach partners how to provide physical comfort techniques and give on-the-spot coaching on how to best support their parnter as needed. And I supply endless emotional comfort throughout the process (before, during, and after labor), helping navigate situations and pivot when necessary.

Have more questions about my doula services?

Liz’s Credentials

I’ve been a doula since 2017, starting out as a postpartum doula (sometimes referred to as a night nanny). In 2020, a dear friend asked if I’d attend her first birth and I was truly honored. I had a doula for the birth of my 2nd and 3rd babies, and understand first-hand the power of having a well-supported and healing birth journey after a traumatic experience with my first.

CREDENTIALS

I am a trained and certified birth doula with BADT (Birthing Advocacy Doula Training).

I am trained in Spinning Babies® .

I am trained and certified in Gilligan’s Guide

Book Liz for Birth Services

Image Credit: Devon Tracy

Birth Photography Matters

It tells the story of the love that brought your baby into this world and the moments of meeting each other for the first time.

Every parent deserves to have their birth story documented.
Because you only meet your baby for the first time, once.
Birth photography captures raw, beautiful, intimate moments.
Professionally documented photos are a gift to yourself that will bring you right back to those first moments after your baby was born.

It should be documented by an experienced birth photographer who understands the nuances of birth and the birth space. Birth is vulnerable. And powerful. And labor intensive. A birth photographer understands all of this - and so much more. We clear our schedules. We are on call 24/7 for weeks (and often months) at a time. We are available at the drop of a hat and come into the birth space quiet, prepared, and professional. We hold space for our clients. And we tell the story of your baby’s birth so you can remember the work it took to bring your baby safely into your arms.

Birth is sacred.

Photographic storytelling of birth is so much more than blood and crowning shots. In fact, many of my galleries don’t include a single image of any of those specific details. I tailor my storytelling to each of my client’s individual needs and desires when it comes to documenting the birth of their baby. I honor the wishes of my clients - espcecially those who prefer “less National Geographic” and more of the emotions of their baby’s birth. And I NEVER share images without explicit consent from my clients.

Ready to explore birth photography?

The emotions of birth is worth capturing.

A mother finally lays eyes on her long awaited child.

A father rejoices in the birth of his 5th baby.

A parent breathes a sigh of relief after a healing birth.

A grandmother tearfully meets her first grandchild.

A woman raises her hand high in the air full of triumph after a fast labor.

You will never regret having these moments captured, but you just might wish you had if you don’t.

Let's chat about documenting your birth

A mother triumphantly raises her arm after a precipitous birth with her second child in Bloomington, Illinois.

A father rejoices in discovering his baby is a girl after his wife births their baby at the Birth Center in Bloomington, Illinois.

A women tearfully looks into her husband's face as she holds their newborn daughter on her chest after giving birth at OSF Hospital in Bloomington, Illinois

A husband gently caresses his wife's arm during her labor at the Birth Center of Bloomington Normal in Illinois.

Connection is key.

Oxytocin - better known as the love hormone - is a key factor in birth and postpartum. It emotes safety, connection, and emotion that aid in the process of labor. One of the many details I love to document during birth is the connection between the person in labor and their chosen partner. Often, few words are spoken between the two, especially once transition nears. But the unspoken cues of love, in the form of gentle touch, eye contact, a soft kiss, or a hug are what I look for with each labor to help tell the origin of where baby came from.

I understand how important strong bonds and connections are in the labor and birth process. I work with my clients to form a relationship in a short amount of time. It is important that they have a sense of trust, reliability, safety, and warmth when they are with me - especially in a birth space. So from the very first meet-and-greet, to the prenatal home visit, all the way to meeting baby, I make forming a connection with my clients a priority.

Ready to book your birth story?

A laboring woman clings to her husband during strong labor pains in the shower at the Birth Center in Bloomington, Illinois.

Birth Photography is an investment.

You, your partner, and your baby deserve to have your birth story told through a professional lens. Yes, a cell phone can capture pictures during labor and birth, but the question is who will take them? Often times a partner is focused on the person giving birth. Actually - everyone on the birth team is focused on the person in labor, as they should be! So remembering to take photos isn’t the top priority for the dad, the nurse, the midwife, or the doctor. And while they might snap a couple of photos, people won’t have an entire gallery telling the story of how they met their baby for the first time. Also - cell phone photos just don’t hit the same way a professionally edited gallery does.

Professionally captured and edited photos are an investment worth making for the sake of memory keeping. People don’t regret hiring a professional birth photographer, but I often hear of people who wish they would have and didn’t.

So … why does birth photography cost so much???

I understand how to use my camera in low light, hospital florescent light, bright OR light, and changing light (i.e. night to day; day to night) situations. I recognize when I should pick up my camera and when to lay it down. I know how to edit photos in a way that is polished, flattering, and professional looking. I’ve invested in learning about the ins and outs of my equipment and birth photography as an art form. And I have top-of-the-line equipment that assists me in storytelling birth.

Birth is unpredictable, so I’m on call 24/7. I am quick to respond and arrive when my clients need me. I understand the sacredness of a birth space and conduct myself in a way that is personal & warm with my clients, yet professional with their providers. I have back up birth photographers in the event I’m ill or at another birth who also understand their equipment and how to conduct themselves in a birth space.

If cost is causing you to hesitate, but you really value birth photography and want to work specifically with me, let’s chat. I offer payment plans and work with my clients.

Ready to book your birth story?

Interested in Birth Doula Services, Birth Photography, or both?

Birth Doula Services

Text, phone, and email support throughout your pregnancy.

On call support starting at 38 weeks until you birth your baby.

1 prenatal visit in your home to discuss birth wishes, comfort measures, how to encourage optimal fetal position, evidence based information & resources, and any additional needs.

Emotional, physical, and educational support during labor and up through the first few hours post birth.

1 postpartum visit to unpack your birth, answer questions, and check on your overall wellness.

Birth Doula Services Investment: Starting at $1,400