Doula Certificate
Posted on March 5, 2022
My labor doula certificate arrived and so did some of my new cards!
A little over a year ago I started my journey in my doula education.
It involved reading, workshops and hands on experience over the whole 2021 year. Yes, I could have gotten everything done sooner, but I’m thankful for the extra time to learn, absorb and apply what I learned and already knew.
I sent in all of my paperwork in January which was perfect timing to be allowed to accompany one of my mamas into the hospital to support her as protocols had just changed to 1 support person and 1 certified doula with the birthing mother. God’s timing is always perfect right?
I have loved being able to support mamas with not only the images I’m capturing during the birth of their little love, but with words of encouragement, hands on help and an extra support for dad as well.
There is a reason it’s called a birth team and I am always so honored and thankful that I’m part of the team for so many mamas and families.
I just wanted to share my fun news with you.
And if you haven’t seen my resource list, I encourage you to take a look at it. There are so many great professionals and resources for the expecting and postpartum mom. I’m constantly updating and adding to the list as I learn more and meet more amazing professionals in the area.
So if you are an expecting mama or know an expecting mama looking for birth photography and/or birth doula I’d love to hear from you. Contact me through the form or feel free to email, info@alainanunez.com or call 562-400-2579.
(562) 400-2579
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / YouTube
You can also find us on Google and YELP!
What is home birth – La Mirada Birth Photographer
Posted on January 14, 2022
I met this lovely mama mid pregnancy over coffee one Saturday morning. She was expecting her 3rd baby blessing and was interested in having me document her first home birth experience. We literally talked for 2 hours about birth, kids, family, work, life, church… It was a bit of girl or mama time, that I think we both needed.
Debbie is a certified hypnobirth instructor and don’t worry if you’re not in the area because she offers classes virtually as well. Her business page Harmonious Childbirth is where you’ll find out all the things about her hypnobirthing course and offerings. I highly suggest you check that out because she’s going to be starting her next series of classes next month.
I always come to the team meeting and prenatal for my home birth mamas. It is typically around 36 weeks and the dad, mom, midwife, doula and anyone else who plans on being present at the birth should be there. That includes me, the birth photographer (and now certified labor doula!).
I met the lovely Celest who is the midwife at Ivy Midwifery Services. It is always fun to watch the hands of a midwife. They learn so much just by touch and the time and care they pour into each of their expecting mamas is just beautiful.
I never took a hypnobirthing course (I will be soon) but I have learned so much from the mamas that have invited me into their birthing space, into their sacred space. Debbie labored beautifully. I could see her body relax as she was breathing intentionally and calmly through each wave/contraction.
I also got to work with La Kiesha who was Debbie’s doula. Her business is Agape Birth & Wellness She did the counter pressure, helped get mama into different positions, brought a fan and some peppermint essential oil for the times of queasiness. So much support and love.
Here’s a fun video dad took and Debbie edited and shared on Instagram her thoughts on What she got out of Home Birth.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYcCTJaBdlH/
This is the proud dad with the second midwife and student midwife behind him. I just love all the joy you can feel in this image!
This right here… Look at all the care that is being poured out onto this mama that just birth a beautiful soul! Mom’s being taken care of while baby is being checked on and she didn’t have to go anywhere to do this. Love it!
Proud dad and excited big sister and interested brother. Aren’t they so sweet!?
I would say, Debbie was glowing after birth but I think she was just radiant while she was laboring too.
You can watch their birth story film, I’m putting it right here for you. 🙂
If you’re expecting this year please feel free to Get in Touch or send me an email, info@alainanunez.com
Don’t miss out on documenting this beautiful soul’s birth story and the amazing journey and strength of you mama.
We were created for this and truly blessed to be able to experience the awe inspiring moment of child birth.
Blessings,
Alaina
(562) 400-2579
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / YouTube
You can also find us on Google and YELP!
Orange County Birth Photographer, Los Angeles County Birth Photographer, Ontario Birth Photographer, Long Beach Birth Photographer, Birth Stories, La Mirada Birth Photographer, Home Birth, Water Birth, Hypno Birth
Why Birth Pictures {Orange County Birth Photographer}
Posted on April 30, 2021
I love that with photography it captures how a person actually feels.
It is raw and beautiful but also messy and uncertain.
I do not want to capture something pretty but something beautiful and breathtaking.
We are all human and we all experience the same emotions of love, joy, sorrow, despair, frustration, jubilee, relief, anxiety, anticipation and pure bliss.
Pictures are so important because they are moments that we can’t get back.
We are only here for a time, whether that be short or long and the time we have is precious, it is truly a gift.
I want you to feel special and loved on during your photography experience with me.
I also want you to know that we all have a Heavenly Father that cares for us and it is evident in the blessings we experience every day.
I am truly honored to document your family moments and memories with my photographs.
Blessings,
Alaina
Looking forward to meeting you and telling your beautiful story!
Alaina Nunez Photography
(562) 400-2579
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest
You can also find us on Google and YELP!
Coverage areas include: Serving Los Angeles County, Orange County, Irvine, Newport, La Mirada, Whittier, Brea, Fullerton, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Corona, Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Orange, La Habra, Downey, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Laguna
Training to be a Doula {La Mirada Birth Photographer}
Posted on March 11, 2021
Yes, you heard that right. I’ve been going through some doula training and am so excited to be able to offer labor doula services as an add on to my birth photography packages!
I’ve been photographing births for the last 8 years and really felt like I needed to get some extra training and education to support the mamas that I get to know so well leading up to their birth. Becoming a doula just seemed like the next step to take and I’ve so enjoyed the training.
I jumped off the Instagram and Facebook train at the end of December and it has really been so lovely and freeing. During my training we were suppose to post something on our social media about going through this training and needing 3 families to work with to become certified, but I obviously couldn’t do that. I have 2 mamas that I will be supporting this month while they bring their precious babes into this world so I need 1 more mama to fulfill my certification needs.
I really love that I’m supporting AND documenting the whole process. I get to offer education and resources leading up to labor day and birth day as well. Don’t worry, I don’t just give you a hug and then disappear once you’ve brought that precious person into this world. No, I plan on coming back to check in and see where you need some help. Those first few days seem like a whirlwind with diapers, nursing, trying to eat and drink (that hunger while nursing is for real) and trying to adjust to your new sleep schedule and getting to know your baby.
Midwife Tessa from Abundant Blessings Midwifery during an in home prenatal visit.
Are you interested in doula support as well as birth photography? I would love to hear from you and we can talk though what your vision and hopes are for your pregnancy and birth experience.
You can get in touch with me HERE.
Blessings on your pregnancy!
-Alaina
Looking forward to meeting you and telling your beautiful story!
Alaina Nunez Photography
(562)400-2579
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest
You can also find us on YELP!
Coverage areas include: Serving Los Angeles County, Orange County, Irvine, Newport, La Mirada, Whittier, Brea, Fullerton, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Corona, Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Orange, La Habra, Downey, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Laguna
Why Hire a Birth Photographer {La Mirada Birth Photographer}
Posted on March 11, 2020
It could be, the feeling of knowing that these moments are few and far between.
That. is. birth.
I seriously am in awe of how God created our bodies.
Everyone is created for a purpose by our Divine Creator.
So the question you should ask yourself. Why do you want this birth photographed? How important is having this birth story documented to you? That’s the more important question.
I’d love to chat with you about how you are hoping to have this fleeting time in your life documented! Fill out the form and I’ll get back to you soon!
Looking forward to meeting you and telling your beautiful story!
Alaina Nunez Photography
(562)400-2579
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest
You can also find us on Google and YELP!
Coverage areas include: Los Angeles County, Orange County, Irvine, Newport, La Mirada, Whittier, Brea, Fullerton, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Corona, Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Orange, La Habra, Downey, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills
Birth Stories and Postpartum Recovery (Orange County Birth Photographer)
Posted on February 12, 2019
I’ve been a professional photographer since 2010 but didn’t start documenting birth stories until 2013.
My friends were always pregnant right at the end of my pregnancies or just after I had a baby. So when they had their babies I was ready with my camera! I focused on maternity and posed In Home Newborn sessions. I’m so thankful for all the friends that allowed me to work on my skills with their families!
I knew I wanted to become a birth photographer after having our 4th child. I really wanted to have him at home but that didn’t work out with finances. He was my fastest labor ( 3 1/2 hours) and when we got to the hospital I thought I could walk (I had walked in with the last 3!). It was just like the movies when the characters are traveling on a long and tiring trek and they finally see their destination and have hope that it’s in sight… then the camera pulls back and they realize just how far that destination STILL is… yep, that was how I felt as I was standing outside of our car and my contractions weren’t letting up. I sat back down and told my husband he better just drop me off in the front.
When we checked in the nurse asked if I could pee in a cup and I told her no. Then they checked me and said I was ready. The midwives were delivering other babies and the Dr. was in the OR. So eventually they found a Dr and a couple pushes and our little Blake was born. I’m pretty sure he shot out. I did require a couple stitches because he came out so quickly and my husband had to sit down after crashing from the adrenaline high and feeling woozy.
I remember laying there, the Dr and I talking as she was stitching me, the baby being checked, my husband in the chair next to me almost passing out and the Dr asking, “Does he do this every time?” I laughed and said, “No, this is the first!”
At that moment I thought, “I really wish someone was here to document this!”
A year later (like I said, I was always pregnant on an off year) I had 3 friends who were expecting. They each liked the idea of having birth photos. Unfortunately when the time comes a lot of times friends don’t want to “bother” you or just changed their mind because, birth is an intimate thing and maybe they didn’t really want their birth documented in the first place.
My official first birth was a home birth for my friend Beth. This was her first home birth and my first birth (not counting the one I video taped when I was 16 for my moms friend).
The reason I’m writing this post is to talk about how birth photographs help with healing and closure.
Beth had numerous people in the room with her during her labor and delivery. She was totally fine with everyone there but she also knew it might be distracting so decided that she would keep her eyes closed the whole time and just let her body take care of what it needed to. She didn’t open her eyes until she was pulling her baby up out of the water.
She had her midwife and her husband there as her support. Her mom and dad were there to keep an eye on the kids and to offer any support necessary. Her grandma and aunt and 3 other kids were there as well.
After I delivered Beau’s birth story to Beth, she told me that having these photographs were so important to her. They gave her closure. Since she had her eyes closed the whole time she felt like she got gypped out of the whole home water birth experience, the birth experience she was so excited for. But after seeing the photographs she knew she had the birth story that she hoped for and didn’t feel like she had to “do it all over again.”
I’m so glad I was able to give that gift to Beth, just by being present and documenting the story that was unfolding in front of me!
Have you ever had a birth photographer document the Birth Day of your little one?
Would you ever want to have me photograph the first moments with your newest little one?
I’d love to chat with you about the birth experience that you’re hoping for and how I can help document that life changing day.
Contact me and we can set up a completely complimentary consultation!
Blessings,
Alaina
Alaina Nunez Photography
(562)400-2579
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest
Featured – A Birth Story & Fresh 48 (Southern California Birth Photographer)
Posted on January 22, 2019
The beginning of the year always feels like a fresh start and so I felt like sharing a post that I never got to make. It’s a fresh new baby and a fresh 48.
Sara started her induction on a Tuesday afternoon and she and her hubby Adam, tried to get comfy because they knew it was going to take 12 hours or more like most inductions do. They kept me posted on any progress throughout the rest of the day and then again in the morning.
Nothing major was happening until over 24 hours when her water broke! Yay progress!
I checked in with them around 10:15pm and asked if Sara felt like it was getting close. Adam responded and said she was resting, not yet… 30 minutes later I got a text saying that the nurse said it was almost time!
Needless to say, I was just outside the door (checking in with the 3rd person!) when their sweet little Malia made her grand entrance!
Sweet girl was born just before midnight.
She was so aware and wanting to see what was going on. She even was checking out me and my camera, but she especially wanted to stare at her mama who she had heard and already knew for so long already.
I said good night to Adam, Sara and Malia once they got into their recovery room and said, “see you in the morning!” for their Fresh 48 session where I got to document the family meeting baby girl.
The next morning (because morning can’t come until you’ve slept) I headed back to the hospital to document the grandparents and big sister meeting the newest little one in the family.
I mean, can you just feel the overflowing of joy in this photograph! It makes me smile every time I see it.
Sara’s parents were the first to arrive to meet their newest grand daughter.
But Adam’s parents with big sister Mariah, were right behind them.
After Maliah got some lovin’ from her grandparents the time had finally come for her to meet her big sister.
Oh my goodness! She almost couldn’t contain her excitement! I was so adorable!
Sara wanted to make sure Mariah didn’t feel like she was being replaced but instead was taking on a new roll of big sister.. helper, protector. So she had Mariah feed her baby sister and was teacher her how to touch and hold her.
Sara’s dad finally got his turn to hold and stare at his newest blessing and grand daughter.
Lucky girls to have both sets of grandparents so helpful and involved.
The Simon family… now a family of 4! Many blessings to you guys! Thank you for having me document this amazing event and milestone for you! I am truly honored.
Blessings,
Alaina
Alaina Nunez is the professional photographer who specializes in documenting unforgettable moments in an organic and documentary way. Home is in sunny Southern California with her husband and 6 children. They love road trips so if you’re not in the area and looking to have Alaina document your family or intimate wedding Contact her about her travel schedule.