iN THIS TIME OF NEW HOSPITAL POLICIES AND LABOR SUPPORT LIMITS, HERE ARE SOME FREE BIRTH AFFIRMATIONS TO print, CUT-OUT, color if you’d like, AND HANG IN YOUR BIRTH SPACES. tape them up ALL OVER or poke holes at the top to thread some yard through for a garland, if that’s more your jam. IF YOU’RE LOOKING AT LABORING BY YOURSELF - A QUICK REMINDER: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. YOU ARE LOVED. YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY DO THIS. WE KNOW YOU CAN. WE ARE THINKING OF YOU. EVEN IF YOU CAN’T SEE US. if you end up using them in your space, send me a photo: hey@milkandhannah.com or tag me on instagram (i’m @milkandha ..read more

I’d been anticipating going into full blown labor at any minute for the past two weeks. I felt anxious, excited and a little scared. The unassisted birth experience didn’t seem obtainable even one month before it happened. I’d been envisioning any outcome but the successful birth of our 3rd son. The fear-mongering of past precious pregnancies and birthing experiences rearing their massively terrifying presence in my thoughts. With my first birth, I was met with a cesarean and a new fear and mistrust of my instincts and my ..read more

As a birth photographer, it is no surprise that I am anti-hospital gown. Esthetically and functionally, they are definitely not what you want around/on your body as you labor and birth. As a HUGE fan of self-expression and individuality in my every day life, molding that with comfort in birth spaces is a tip I pass on to every single one of my clients regardless of where they deliver. I’ve spoken publicly about the one-size-fits-all multi-use gowns on my Instagram, too :  Did you know that you're allowed to say "No" to the hospital gown provided to you during labor? You CAN! A ..read more

Birth Photography is booming and as a professional, I want to make sure you hire the best one for you.Before you pay that retainer fee and make that booking official, here’s a list of my top 8 questions to ask your birth photographer. 1. CAN YOU SHOW ME WHAT A FULL BIRTH GALLERY LOOKS LIKE ? Social media is wonderful but it’s also the worst. We live in an online world in which only the best of the best versions of ourselves are on display, and this extends to businesses and artists, such as Birth Photographers. We show you THE BEST, and can you blame us? We aim to impress! But this d ..read more

Rachel was freshly 8 weeks pregnant at our initial sit down to see how we jived, to see if we were a good fit. She made me a mug of tea and we talked in the living room. I took notes and wanted to know all about her, her 6 year old son, her husband, her birth the first go around and what she hoped for her next one. An hour later I met Adam and Shore on their way back from the pool. It was a really good afternoon. By the end of the meeting, we were connected. It was effortless. All of the stories you’ll read here are effortless- that’s how client/birth photography should go. Every time. But we ..read more

I can still remember Nicole’s DM on IG last year. She was moving to Columbus from Seattle and wanted to connect - she also let me know they’d JUST started trying for a second child and would be hiring me at some point during their time here. I was all over it - a huge fan of her work “Miracle Mamas” - a support group for moms with addiction. She’d be here 4 weeks later, sitting in my living room with her son. But two weeks before that, I’d get a photo in my messages of a positive pregnancy test. My woman was moving to Columbus and she was doing it pregnant. Over the coming months we develope ..read more

My dearest sweet Hazel- When I had my third contraction around three in the morning- I knew it was time.  I laid in bed timing my contractions for the next few hours and when I was certain this was it, I quietly got out of bed and crawled into bed with you.  I snuggled up to you from behind and nestled my face into your wild curls and the warm nape of your neck. I lay there with you quietly just soaking up the last few moments with you as my only child.  It’s such a bittersweet thing- knowing I’m about to give you this gift of a sibling, but also my heart breaking for you in a way knowing it ..read more