“When I first saw Ashley’s post advertising her services, I was about halfway through my pregnancy and jumped at the offer to have my birth photographed. Although I didn’t think of the immensity of what that would end up meaning, I just knew that I wanted it, or at least I thought I did.
As my pregnancy progressed, I grew more anxious about having someone in the room I only met briefly, but she had been kind and as a fellow mother, I knew her presence in the room couldn’t possibly be any worse than the nurses or my midwife.
The night I went into labor, and made the call to Ashley that I was at the hospital, my worries and anxiety had disappeared. I knew I would be happy with the end result, and at that point I wasn’t concerned with anything outside of the excitement I felt for my baby’s impending arrival. When Ashley arrived, she was quiet and respectful. I hardly noticed her in the room as I was too concentrated on getting through the pain. As my labor progressed (which it did very quickly), I was even more focused on managing the pain, and wasn’t even totally aware of what was going on around me. After my daughter was born, there was nothing in my mind anymore except her. Every moment of my labor had disappeared for me, and without Ashley there, I would have never been able to see what went on in those few hours.
I would have never been able to see how my partner stroked my head and hair while I was in the bath, the way he comforted and held me while I was in pain. Without Ashley, I never would have been able to see the intensity of my emotion as I got through contractions, or the way I looked as I pushed my baby into the world. I would have never known or remembered the look on our faces as soon as she was born. The love shown between me and my partner, the kiss we shared as she was placed on my chest, the way I smiled and cried in relief as I held her for the first time… All of those moments, and the whole story of my labor and delivery would forever be lost if Ashley had not been there, and because of her I can relive these empowering and amazing moments any time I wish. One day, I will get to tell my daughter the story of the morning she was born, show her the pictures, and relive the memories again.
I will never in my life regret that I chose to have Ashley photograph my birth. It was not awkward or uncomfortable in any way, shape or form. I thank her so much for capturing some of the greatest moments in our lives, and will be forever grateful for her presence at such a wonderful time.”
~Olivia Thomas
“They say a picture is worth a thousand words, I would disagree and say it has to be more like a million. The birth pictures that Ashley took for me, not only express emotions and amazing moments but allowed me to experience my birth again and again in an amazing way. I have to admit that my eyes were closed for most of the delivery and I was very unaware of what was going on around me. Ashley captured the whole thing, and exactly how I would have wanted. There was not a single picture, that I would have changed or not wanted taken. When I decided to have a birth photographer, it has a decision I really thought over. Now I am so glad I did. I knew that I wanted pictures and knew that I was going to be disappointed, if my husband didn’t get the ones I wanted. But really it would have been unfair to expect him to do all that and still be in the moment. Having someone I didn’t know in my birth space, also was something I considered. But then I didn’t get to choose the nurses or anyone else. In my mind I know I was choosing Ashley to be there, it was my choice and she was there to support and capture my birth the way I wanted. She very quietly captured the moments and added to the birth space. She was great at communication leading up to meeting at the hospital and was there exactly when she said she would be. I will treasure my pictures forever. Thank you, Ashley. Any woman would be blessed to have you at their birth”
~Janelle Brooks
“The little feet at the top are Brody’s little feetminutes old!!! For my other 2 children I never in my wildest would have ever thought to have a birth photographer in the room. But for my last baby I wanted to try this new experience and when I sat down with Ashley beforehand to discuss things I knew I’d made a great choice. Brody had 3 seperate due dates and I was very much hoping he wouldve arrived on the first date expected lol but that wasn’t the case. Everyday I would text Ashley. ‘He’s not coming out!’ Or something of that affect lol and finally 9 days after his 3rd due date he got the eviction notice and was due to be induced. It was very touch and go for this induction as his heart rate had dropped and he wasn’t handling contractions well and was one more heart rate drop away from an emergancy c-section. But nature took over and he decided he wanted out and he wanted out NOW! So Unfortunately Brody wasn’t waiting for anyone as Ashley says lol but she captured some beautiful intimate firsts. I’m so thrilled to have these moments captured through the eyes of someone who has truly found their calling :). I have yet to watch Brody’s video without shedding a tear. It takes me back to the moments when my precious baby entered this world. Please share this page and for anyone thinking about getting a birth photographer you will not regret your choice in Ashley. She is a wonderful person and makes the experience last a lifetime in her photos. They truly do tell a story ♥”
~ Cori Poague
“When I first contacted Ashley to take pictures for us, I was your typical 8 month pregnant indecisive Mom to be. I knew I wanted pregnancy pictures, I just didn’t want to commit to them, or anything else. Birth photography was new to me, as the only photos I had that documented my first two births consisted of a few crooked shots of legs, ceilings and grossly unflattering pictures of my double chin. I didn’t want this birth to be a repeat. I had seen one of Ashley’s previous slideshows and it had instantly captivated my heart, and left me wondering if I could ever do such a thing, and more importantly, would my husband ever agree?
We met for the first time when she photographed my husband, two girls and my growing belly. Ashley was patient and understanding, answering all of our questions, and had been very accommodating to our hectic schedule.
When our family shoot was over, there was no doubt about birth photography, or Ashley, and we booked her on the spot. She had come into our home a stranger and left as part of the family. She interacted with my children flawlessly, somehow managed to make my husband feel comfortable having his picture taken, and found a way to make me feel beautiful again.
We had spoken off and on while we waited for my son to arrive. And with every text or email, if felt as though she was as excited for the birth as we were. Finally, ten days overdue and having been induced, it seemed a baby was inevitable. I don’t remember what was harder, early labour, or waiting in anticipation to be far enough along to phone Ashley. The second the nurse told us we were five centimeters, I told my husband, “Phone your mother and then phone Ashley right away”. When she arrived in the delivery room it felt as though a good friend had arrived. We weren’t strangers anymore, there was no awkwardness or embarrassment, there was only my good friend and her camera. Soon after her arrival and introductions, she seemed to disappear into the background, not to be seen or heard until it was all over and she said goodbye.
As this was our last child, I had already been mourning the fact that I would never experience pregnancy or childbirth again. It all goes by so quickly and your memories soon fade, the details become blurry and those little moments seem forgotten.
A few days later my slideshow was done. And I cried. All in an instant, Ashley had given me the most amazing gift, my memories. She flawlessly captured every fleeting moment and emotion, and it all came back to me in a wave. It felt as though I had experienced it all again, except this time, I was not confined to my hospital bed, I was present for every breath my son took. I was able to see him being measured, weighed, swaddled and handed to my husband for the first time. I was able to see the loving embrace between my husband and his mother as tears filled his eyes. I was there as my Mother gazed over him as he laid in the bassinet almost as though she was passing on generations of wisdom. I was able to relive every moment, even the ones I couldn’t be a part of the first time around. For these moments I will forever be grateful, and can never thank her enough.”
~ Corey and Amber Pywell