The first birth. And blessed connections.


I had attended doula training several years prior but hadn't jumped into birth work yet. The privilege of witnessing such a raw and intimate experience can't be understated, and to be honest, I was a little intimidated by that responsibility. But my sweet friend/hairdresser who knew I was a photographer and was wanting to get into birth photography reached out asking if she could pass my info along to a friend.


Why, yes please!


And so it was decided - Jessi invited me to her birth, which would only be a few weeks later.


I was on my way to help with Sunday evening youth group when I got a text from Dustin that they were heading to the birth center. Conveniently, I was pulling into the Starbucks drive-thru when the message came through, so I picked up my drink and turned around to head to Norman.


When I got there, the first thing I noticed was vocalizing coming from the birthing suite.

The second thing I noticed was Poor Bishop Hooper playing in the background.

"Ah yes, my people," I thought to myself.


Mind you, due to the last minute nature of things, Jessi & I hadn't met. How's that for trust? I'm honored that she was willing to invite me, a stranger, to her birth.


They had arrived to the birth center twenty minutes before me. The tub was being filled until they realized things were moving too quickly. There she was, on all fours, mere minutes away from pushing her baby out. The whole team was stationed beside the tub, mom grasping onto it as she coped through the most intense part of labor - husband and midwives surrounding her, speaking words of encouragement.

Woman in labor kneeling by bathtub receiving support during home birth.
Black and white photo of man supporting laboring woman leaning over birth tub.

It happened fast. Intensely fast. Caught by the careful hands of Midwife Taelor, baby was placed on mom's back

Black and white photo of birth team assisting woman during water birth in tub.

"You did it."

"Your baby is safe."

"Take your time, mama."

Black and white image of a birth partner and doula supporting a laboring woman at home.
A midwife and birth partner support a laboring woman kneeling on the floor during home birth.
A laboring woman leans over a freestanding bathtub while a support person assists during home birth.

After a moment to catch her breath, she emerged from labor land, ready to meet her baby.

Black and white photo of a midwife and doula assisting a woman during a home birth.
Black and white image of woman in active labor smiling through contractions surrounded by birth team.
Emotional black and white photo of a woman smiling through tears during home birth labor.

The team moved to the bed, making sure mom and baby were both well.

The shivers set in - "a very common, temporary, and normal physiological response to the intense stress, hormonal shifts, and adrenaline dump of labor" - and the placenta needed a little encouraging. Dad held baby for the first time while the midwives helped mom through the last bit of work.

A midwife checks a newborn with a stethoscope as a mother cradles her baby after home birth.
Black and white photo of a mother lying in bed, smiling as she holds her newborn baby for the first time.
A mother receives her newborn baby while lying in bed, surrounded by a supportive partner and medical team.
A midwife assists a mother lying in bed as she holds her newborn baby during a home birth.
Black and white photo of parents sharing a tender moment together with their newborn baby in bed.
Medical professionals wearing gloves prepare to cut the umbilical cord of a newborn during a home birth.
A father in an orange shirt holds his newborn baby with umbilical cord still attached during home birth.
Black and white photo of a new father wearing glasses, cradling his newborn baby against a brick wall.
Woman in blue dress signing documents at a teal desk beside candles and art supplies in a warmly lit room.
Black and white photo of a father carefully wrapping his newborn baby in a blanket after a home birth.
Black and white photo of home birth support team attending to laboring mother in bedroom.

After everyone was settled and mom and baby tucked cozily under the blankets, we left the room and gave the family some space to rest.

Black and white photo of a newborn baby lying on mother's chest shortly after birth.
Mother holding newborn baby after childbirth with medical staff delivering placenta in foreground.
New mother breastfeeding her newborn baby while lying down after home birth.
Midwife in blue scrubs consulting with new mother holding newborn baby in cozy home setting.
Black and white photo of smiling mother holding newborn baby on her chest after birth.
Loving couple sharing a tender moment with their newborn baby after home birth.
Mother resting in bed while breastfeeding her newborn baby wrapped in a teal blanket after home birth.
New parents sharing a quiet moment together with their newborn baby in bed at home.
Black and white photo of midwife holding and examining a newborn baby after delivery.

 

Grandma came to meet her new granddaughter - what joy!

 

A caring older woman leans over to speak with a smiling young mother resting in bed after childbirth.
A mother laughs while waking her smiling teenage daughter in a cozy bedroom.
A caring mother gently strokes her smiling daughters forehead as she rests in bed.

 

The newborn exam... One of my favorite parts to document - midwives looking everything over and parents noticing things about their new babe for the first time.

 

Newborn baby with umbilical cord being held by gloved hands moments after home birth delivery.
Midwife in orange scrubs attending to new mother resting in bed after home birth with partner nearby.
Midwife in orange scrubs and purple gloves examining alert newborn baby after home birth delivery.
Black and white close-up of partner holding laboring mothers hand during home birth on fluffy blanket.
Midwife in orange scrubs preparing medical supplies beside resting mother after home birth delivery.
A nurse in orange scrubs examines a newborn baby on a changing table in a warmly decorated home setting.
Black and white close-up photo of a newborn baby's tiny feet and toes.
A nurse and father weigh a newborn baby using a hanging scale in a cozy home birth setting.
A smiling new mother rests comfortably in bed surrounded by soft pillows after giving birth at home.
Close-up of a newborn baby's foot being inked for a footprint during a home birth checkup.
A midwife in orange scrubs tends to a newborn while the mother rests in bed after a home birth.
A midwife in orange scrubs gently holds and presents a smiling newborn baby after a home delivery.
Two midwives smile and relax in a birth center room equipped with a birthing tub and medical supplies.

All that was left now was to rest and get to know their baby girl for a bit before they packed up and headed home to sleep in their own bed - all before midnight.

Happy new parents smile while holding their swaddled newborn baby together on a bed.
Black and white photo of a person sleeping in bed while another stands by a window.
A new mother smiles while cradling her newborn baby in a warm, cozy bedroom.
Black and white close-up of a newborns tiny feet and toes.
A new mother in black pajamas lovingly holds her swaddled newborn baby.
And that's the story of Alora's birth.
Jessi's experience

in her own words

 

Inviting Clare to capture the birth of our third child, Alora, was one of the best decisions we made in preparing for my delivery. At first, my husband and I were uncertain about having another person in the birth space, but Clare’s calm and supportive presence during my labor and delivery quickly put us at ease. She didn’t just take photos—she captured moments, the raw emotions and beauty of such an intimate experience. Being able to look back at those photos and remember the joy, love, and peace we felt, knowing it was all a gift from God, is something I will cherish forever. These images are more than memories; they are a lasting reminder of the grace and strength that surrounded us during such a profound moment in our lives.

 

These kind words absolutely floored me when I read them. Because Jessi's remarks mirror my heart so strongly.


My mission as a birth photographer is to capture moments that fill you with gratitude when you look back on them. That bring you to worship the Lord for the moments He's gifted you.


So very grateful these two trusted a stranger (me) to document the birth of their daughter.