The best of both worlds.
When you add me to your birth team, you're not only getting gorgeous images that tell your baby's birth story from beginning to end, but you're also getting a certified birth doula - ensuring you feel seen, supported, confident, and powerful in your birth experience.
All of my clients who hire me for birth photography and/or videography get lite doula services, including physical and emotional support during labor, birth, and 2 hours postpartum. I also have additional birth doula services available as an add-on to help with birth planning and preparation, evidence-based information & decision making, as well as postpartum check-ins and resources for additional support.
No matter what you envision for your birth, my goal is to help you dream BIG and go for it. More importantly, however your birth unfolds, I'll help you feel confident & supported to take on whatever twists and turns come your way.
My Birth Philosophy
Birth is something we've successfully accomplished since the beginning of humanity. It's only recently that our view of birth has shifted from a primal, spiritual, instinctual experience to a medical procedure that needs to be "managed".
While modern medicine is fantastic at emergency care, and I'm grateful that life-saving care is available when needed, we have lost our way with birth.
Just like the vast majority of us are born to see and walk and talk without "intervention" - the vast majority of our births are made to occur without any intervention. Birth works best when we honor and respect the innate, primal, and physiological processes in place that were perfectly designed by nature.
My job as your "doula-tog" (doula + photographer)
My job as your doula is to learn about YOU and what's important to you for your birth experience. I will walk along side you during pregnancy as a resource guide and listening ear, helping you learn about all of the options that are available to you and encouraging you to keep coming back to what's most important to you. My goal is to help you feel truly seen & understood, and confident with whatever decisions you make for your pregnancy, your baby, and your birth experience.
My job as your photographer is to witness and document your birth story. I bring a calm energy and hold sacred space for your birth experience to unfold however it needs to, capturing your strength and the love in the room as you bring your baby earthside. You'll be able to look back on these photos and say "wow...I really did that" or "oh yea - that is when I was feeling like I couldn't do it anymore, but found the strength anyway". These images will be a powerful way for you to put together the pieces of your story, and witness your own strength from the outside looking in.
How can I best serve you?
Birth Photography & Lite Doula
This package includes a 1-hour prenatal consultation, 24/7 on-call time, unlimited hours at your birth to 2 hours postpartum, emotional and physical support, digital files with print release & a slideshow. *Ask about payment plans and available discounts.
$2,495*
Photo + Full Service Doula
This package includes additional doula services to help you prepare for your birth, including 1-2 additional prenatal appointments, evidence-based information and birth mindset coaching, a postpartum visit, and access to a library of resources.
$2995*
Birth Film Add-On
Re-live your birth with motion and the sounds you'll never want to forget - like your baby's first cry. This is a documentary-style film that will tell your full story in about 3-5 minutes. You'll want to watch it over and over again.
$650
HOW DOES IT WORK?
1. Schedule a call
We will start by hopping on the phone or a Zoom to get a feel for one another. I'll walk you through my process and everything I offer, and you'll have the opportunity to ask all of your burning questions. If we decide we're a good fit to work together, we'll move on to step 2!
2. Book your due date
Save your due date with a signed contract and a retainer. I book limited births per year - so this step ensures that no one else can take your due date! I offer flexible, interest-free payment plans and a registry option. Certain discounts may also apply*
3. Relax & enjoy...
Once your due date is officially booked, I will walk you through each step of the process so you're never wondering what's next. We will meet in-person at least once prior to your birthing day, depending on the level of doula services you've requested. I will not be just another stranger in your birth space.
Anna shares her experience working with Novita Birth Stories
I specialize in birth photography, but also offer lifestyle and documentary family sessions. This allows me to capture the evolution of your family’s story from the very beginning and throughout the years with a level of trust and comfort that is unmatched. You won’t need to find a different photographer for each new chapter; I'm here to document it all.
Lifestyle Newborn & Family
Lifestyle family photography is the perfect balance of posed photos and candid moments to capture your family's unique personality and connection. A variety of different session options are available to fit your needs, time constraints, and budget.
Starting at $150
Documentary Family
Documentary sessions are all about capturing REAL life...the mess, the quirks, the chaos, and the love. We start with 5-10 minutes of "posed" photos for grandma's fridge, then we just hang out, have fun, and capture the magic.
Starting at $750 for 2 hours
Novita Family Photostories is a birth photographer, videographer, doula, and family photographer based in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Leslie castleberry is a birth photographer, birth doula, birth videographer, and family photographer in Lincoln, NE