Okay, real talk.
I have big time FOMO...but with things that are already happening! Things I see and hear and do, but feel like they'll slip away if I'm not careful. My kids' excitement to see me when I return from a long journey (to the grocery store). Their whispers during pretend play. Catching fireflies. Things I wish I could bottle up and keep forever.
All I have from the life-changing experience of birthing my first child is an old Samsung cell snap with a sad, nibbled-on fast food burger in the background. I wish I had someone there just for me to take that perfect photo of my perfect child and I meeting.
After having that experience for my second, third, and fourth babies, I am driven to be there for you. To place in your hands photos of the journey of you meeting your baby for the first time. Photos that connect the visceral, intangible feelings of your birth to a physical legacy to have and hold and pass on to your children.
Your indiana birth photographer & in-home lifestyle newborn photographer
Melissa here!
Proudly working with clients from Northwest Indiana, northeast indiana & Chicagoland hospitals and these private practices
Here's a snapshot into my world.
A Little Behind The Scenes Of My Life
Not crafting, but the meeting of the hands and heart and mind to make something unique and beautiful and (oftentimes) useful. I make to unwind after the kids' bedtimes or sometimes I carve out a few minutes for myself during the day. (Yes, we should totally be doing this more!) I love to woodwork, watercolor, write, and even crochet.
My greatest makes of all time are my three beautiful, clever, and funny kids. But, I'm also working on a reclaimed wood dining table. too.
homemade christmas care package
making
My husband (truly, a gift) and I love to be with our kids. We homeschool and love it! We practice conscious parenting techniques and follow many tenants in "Simplicity Parenting."
We love to be together in nature and are excited to experience life with our kiddos tagging along.
The family at lake superior in wisconsin
My Family
My Favorite Things
I can honestly say that hiring Melissa at Mother Hands Birth Photography was the best decision we made for capturing the birth of our daughter. She was so wonderful the whole labor. She was so helpful in the labor process and of course gave us the most amazing photos and video.
Like she said when she left, it felt like we were friends by the end of the day. If you're on the fence about getting a birth photographer, Melissa is definitely the way to go!
~Nick
holy family birth center | fort wayne, indiana
taylor & nick
From start to finish, Melissa with Mother Hands Birth Photography was a tremendous help that we didn't even know we really needed! She gave emotional support to my wife, a calming presence to me, and photos that helped capture all of the moments of the entire process! Plus, she 100% knows when to be where, so there weren't any issues or concerns about personal space or issues with the nursing staff.
You may think that you don't need photos of your birth, or that these photos come out tasteless because of... you know... BIRTH... But not a single photo I received from her was anything short of perfection!
~Brandon
franciscan health | crown point, indiana
Celina & brandon
I didn’t know in those raw moments that I was getting a piece of my life forever captured. I didn’t realize how much I needed those photographs. Moments that I will never relive, but forever have.
Melissa did an amazing job! I couldn’t have asked for anything better. There is truly nothing more beautiful. If you are even considering getting a birth photographer, please, PLEASE do so and use Mother Hands Birth Photography. It truly was one of the best decisions of my life.
~Vanessa
franciscan health | crown point, indiana
vanessa & ryan
