BIRTH by KellyM Photography bio picture

  • Welcome to my blog!

    Welcome! I am Kelly Marie, a birth photographer and doula, who lives and works in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area.

    If you've sought out this site, chances are that you're expecting, and are considering having either a photographer or a doula at your birth. Whether through images, or through emotional and physical support, I am excited to share your journey through pregnancy with you.

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May 14, 2013

The birth of Baby Charlotte – SF Bay Area Birth Photography

It’s kind of an amazing thing when you realize you have a job that you love so much that you are thrilled to be working on Mother’s Day. A job that you are so passionate about that you’re actually to be happy to be staying up all night, and missing your opportunity to sleep in or have a lazy Sunday. Spending my Mother’s Day morning with Libby and family was the perfect way to start the day.

Technically speaking, this was one of the most difficult births I have photographed. I try my best to not use my speed light. Especially in situations where mama is very light sensitive, which Libby was. At one point, the only available light was coming from the bathroom, spilling out from the door way that was only cracked a few inches. I remind myself that I am documenting a process, and that process is sometimes dark, and grainy. That I need to let go of my want for perfect lighting (or any lighting at all!), and to look for the emotion. To capture the love, the pain, the relief, the tenderness.

One of my favourite parts of this experience was being there when Charlotte’s older siblings came to meet her for the first time. JLK, now the oldest of 4, finding out that she got the sister she wanted. Nicholas, not even 2 yet, so curious. He’s not the baby anymore, but not quite a big kid either. Seeing the pride in Jonathan and knowing that he is going to be an amazingly protective big brother.

This is the 3rd birth that I have had the pleasure of documenting for Libby and Tony. Their journey to parenthood was long, and not without sorrow. Maybe this is why capturing the immeasurable joy has been so important to this family. Watching their family grow has been such a gift to my life. I can not thank them enough for allowing me to be a part of journey.

Welcome to the world baby Charlotte, you are adored!

To have your birth story photographed by Kelly, please contact kelly@birthbykellym.com

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Shannon - May 14, 2013 - 9:25 pm

Love the pics Kelly. Just beautiful. Didn’t know Libby had her baby! Congrats Libby to you and your new family of six,

Ava - May 14, 2013 - 9:32 pm

Ah-mazing!

Karen - May 14, 2013 - 10:16 pm

Kelly, they’re all beautiful but that last one of Libby, JLK and Charlotte just took my breath away. The look on JLK’s face is so full of mixed emotions, it’s just stunning!

April - May 15, 2013 - 3:42 am

Absolute magic. Priceless moments forever captured…beautiful!!

evangelina - May 15, 2013 - 6:47 am

I love the photos. Congrats to Libby and family! :-)

May 2, 2013

The Birth of Baby Madison

When my husband and I had our son, nearly 7 years ago, we were the first of our friends to become parents. It was a lonely time for me. I felt like our friends didn’t really understand how much our lives had changed. Not just that we weren’t able to be as spontaneous or stay out as late, but also our values, goals, and priorities.

Slowly but surely those friends have been catching up to us. Nick has been a friend of mine since high school. One of my very best buddies. We’ve been through a lot together through out the years. I tend to be cautious when my male friends get girlfriends. I don’t want to become too attached in case things end. Once I realized that Denise was going to be sticking around, I started to let her in a little. I am so glad I did. She and Nick compliment each other so well, and so when I found out they were expecting their first baby I was over the moon! Denise is an auntie, many times over, but now she gets to be mommy!

When I learned that Denise was hoping to have a med-free birth experience, I offered to be her doula. I’ve attended many births in the last few years, but this one would be closer to my heart than any in the past. Of course, I offered to bring my camera as well and took a few photos after Baby Madison was born. Seeing one of my oldest friends become a dad was surreal. We’ve both matured since our high school days. Nick is a composer, and college professor. However, when we hang out it’s so easy to view him as the punk rocker that I had way too much fun with back in high school.

Welcome to parenthood Nico and DD!

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February 28, 2013

The Birth of Julian

I will be the first to admit that my journey to doula certification is slow going. Being able to help a mom in labor is the most amazing feeling. Whether it be recognizing and helping to turn a posterior baby, comfort measures, or purely emotional support, the work that we do is indescribably gratifying.

It is also a lot of responsibility. Something that I don’t take lightly. Some women can go straight from training, to jumping into births, and do incredibly well. I, however, have been inching in baby steps. I am so very lucky to have an amazing doula mentor in my own doula, Teri, of Harmony Doula. She is a wealth of information, a beautiful and giving person, and has allowed me to shadow her at some births while I try to decide is becoming certified is what I ultimately want to do.

While assisting Teri with Suzanne’s birth, I offered to bring along my camera. I took photos as a thank you to Suzanne for allowing me to be present at her birth and to use it as part of my on going doula education. I am so glad that I did. I was able to stay until big brother came to meet little brother. His excitement over his new brother, and pride as a big brother, shined brightly in the dimly lit, windowless hospital room. These are the first photos of a family of four. Daddy was able to be in the photographs, rather than taking the photographs. These moments are what birth photography is all about, and I am so thrilled I was able to provide these images to Suzanne and her family.

To book a birth session with Kelly, please contact kelly@birthbykellym.com

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February 8, 2013

The Birth of Marie Renè

I have photographed so many different kinds of birth so far. Yesterday was my very first water birth, and I was amazed at how calm this birth was. Mom is a photographer herself and had expressed how important lighting is to her. We were so lucky with our timeline. I drove to her home just as the sun was rising. By the time baby Marie made her way into this world we were bathed in gorgeous window light. Please enjoy a few selected images from the birth of Baby Marie Renè.

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