AMBA.photo

Alright Dads, listen up. Follow ‘s example here. Mama just spent 3/4 of a year growing the human, and then she GAVE BIRTH. Her job is done. Better got on those diapers, Dad! It’s a solid 8-10 per day there at the beginning!

The trust, connection, and synergy between these two...it was magical. 😍

Ok, real talk here. You probably saw this photo and found it off-putting. And I really don't blame you. Who opens Instagram on an enthusiastic quest to find a woman resting in a pool of bloody water? Anyone? Bueller? ⁠
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But here's the thing. This is birth, y'all. There is LOTS of blood, and guess what...this is completely 100% normal. And did you know that it's completely 100% normal to continue bleeding for up to SIX WEEKS after you have a baby, even if you have a c-section? It's simply your body expelling the leftover tissue and blood that your uterus produced during the pregnancy. ⁠
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I think we've really done women a disservice in recent history by censoring photos like this, by holding them back in favor of more palatable imagery. But birth isn't clean and pretty, quiet and neat. It's called "labor" for a reason - it's strenuous, depleting, and very, VERY bloody.⁠
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So let's take a few minutes to look at photos like these. The sooner we accept imagery like this as normal, conventional, and even familiar, the sooner we can flat-out CELEBRATE the awe-inspiring, gritty, glorious process of childbirth. Go, women, go!⁠
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Also, HUGE KUDOS to dream client who won't be phased, in the least, to see this photo of herself pop up on the grams. Jennae, you're amazing. XO⁠
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Midwifery services: Traci Santangelo for

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Photographing a birth day often feels a lot like photographing a wedding day. It’s fast-paced and fleeting, and it’s full of once-in-a-lifetime moments. Those hours of mama’s hard work, that baby seeing the world for the first time, those first few moments wherein you become a new version of your old family and the bond begins...man, it’s truly a life experience worth a few frames. ❤️

Ok, so I love this one. But I have to admit that it was 50% skill and planning, 50% sheer dumb luck. I was standing right where I wanted to be in anticipation of little Benjamin passing in front of my lens.

Then, at THIS MOMENT, two birth workers converged in front of me. And here’s the thing I want people to know about birth: we’re all there for you, mama. We’re all there to make sure that you get everything out of your birth that you imagined. We want you to have a triumphant delivery. Yes, I want to get *that* shot for you, but I also prioritize efficacy of the birth team, you know, the people making sure everybody STAYS ALIVE.

So when the doula and nurse step in front of me, I simply dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge (Dodgeball, anyone??) until I get what I need. And you know what? It works itself out. I love this image so much because of the layers and texture in the foreground and that little peekaboo perspective... created by the bodies that rushed in to bring this baby home!

Also...the hole is kind of the shape of a vagina...and vaginas are awesome.

If you can’t see that little tear, it’s worth a zoom, y’all. It happens every time - that little moment after you’ve spent nine months waiting and wondering, and then several hours working so damn hard. You finally hear that little voice for the first time. You’re spent and speechless, and your hormones are getting to work creating that bond. There’s nothing else to do in that moment but listen to that little voice, squeeze your partner’s hand, and drop a few monumental tears. ❤️

My dreamboat husband said I should gram this one, and since he’s a badass photographer, I take his advice. It also happens to be one of my favorites from ‘s session, so no issue there! .

These are the moments. Welcome to the world, little one. Life’s pretty good so far, huh? .
If you’ve never considered birth photography and are wondering why people have it, for some people, it’s not photos of their vaginas as their babies enter the world, although most mamas are usually quite surprised at how much they end up loving those empowering, amazing images. For most, it’s these first, fleeting, family moments. Nobody is scrambling for an iPhone or tracking down the doula or nurse to take a photo. I’m already there, discretely taking it in and cementing these magical moments into permanent imagery. You’ll be glad you did it. ❤️

A goddess among mortals. 😍
Thanks for being my muse, Lindsey Adams Williams

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Hi, y’all! It’s an exciting morning here at for amba. studio. We’re launching our studio portrait package, and we’re offering our first five mamas to book a session an introductory investment rate. DM for details. Bring me your beautiful bumps, you beautiful mamas! .

Dad hand + baby hand = ❤️ .

I’ve been wonderfully surprised at the abounding admiration that comes from watching my best friends become mamas. I’ve known this little lady since kindergarten, and what an exquisite mama she makes 30 years later, right y’all? A favorite from Brittany, Jonathan, and Benjamin's HOMECOMING SESSION .