THE JOURNEY TO MOTHERHOOD

Not Every Path To Motherhood Is Straightforward

My own road to motherhood was filled with bumps, twists and turns every step of the way. There was even a moment when I felt like giving up. This is a familiar story for many, but one that often goes unshared.

When my husband, Brian, and I started trying to conceive in the spring of 2015, I naively assumed it would be the classic storybook tale. After nearly a year of nothing, we decided to seek help. What followed was an experience that would not only change me, but influence the direction of my photographic career. I learned what the term “diminished ovarian reserve” meant. I researched the abundant options for parenthood. Most importantly, I connected with hundreds of women, all with a different story to share - stories of adoption, rainbow babies, secondary infertility, surrogacy, egg donation and even the choice to live childless. Each of these women struggled, but also grew stronger, on their own unique journey in becoming a parent.

My own story involved countless IVF cycles, one clinic change and too many needles to count later and I finally heard the words I longed for: “You’re pregnant.” Our healthy baby girl, Evelyn Rey (or Eva for short) was born March 28, 2018 at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Virginia. Today, she is a spunky, joyful and independent 3.5 year old who loves laughing and saying “no” even more. 

The journey to parenthood, while an exciting one, can also come with trauma. I understand this first hand. If you’re having mixed emotions about documenting your pregnancy, the birth of your baby or the addition of a new family member, I would love to talk to you. Because no matter what your story is, I’m here to help you tell it in a true and beautiful way.