like the willow strong and unbreaking, women must also transform during childbirth and surrender to each surge as they birth both themselves and their child.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works. My soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14
Do you dream of having the autonomous birth you desire? A warm postpartum experience that focuses on your healing and recovery? Candid memories of your motherhood journey captured through documentary photography?
If any of these resonate with your hope for this sacred transformation into motherhood, you've come to the right place! Meaningful Christ centered doula support and future midwifery practice.
The journey into motherhood is sacred, and should be filled with care whether this is your first or your fifth. You deserve to be held and celebrated during this transformation. We have created meaningful offerings that brings intention to pregnancy, honors birth, documents these special moments, and brings warmth to the fourth trimester.
We're so glad you’re here!
Hi, we are Angelia and Kendra!
We have been called to serve women along their journey into motherhood. Our mission is to help guide you through a deeply nourishing experience that is centered in trusting your ability, intuition, and the divinity of it all.
Serving Minnetrista, Minnesota and Lexington, Kentucky along with surrounding areas.
about usdocumentary photography
Our passion is in capturing the raw beauty and strength of motherhood through unposed moments. It is our mission to take beautiful timeless candid photos. What an honor to tell such meaningful stories of love through documentary photography.
our journey together
A documentary photography session is all about capturing the essence of your life in a relaxed and authentic way. We specialize in documenting motherhood through maternity, newborn, and family. We use prompts to create real authentic memories that can be documented and cherished for a lifetime. These lifestyle sessions take place in the comfort of your home or outdoors, allowing the photographer to document real, unscripted moments that tell your unique story.
learn moreplacenta services
Placentophagy is the act of consuming the placenta for its rich array of vitamins, minerals, and hormones, offering a variety of benefits, particularly during the postpartum period.
the transformation
Through encapsulation, women can experience significant improvements in recovery, including reduced postpartum bleeding, enhanced uterine shrinkage, and faster healing after birth. The hormones in the placenta help replenish the body, reducing pain and supporting lactation, while also promoting increased strength and vitality. Many women report fewer headaches, increased libido, and prevention or treatment of thyroid issues and anemia. Consuming your placenta can also help stabilize mood, boost energy levels, and decrease fatigue. While most women experience 3-4 of these benefits, some may experience more or less, as the hormonal content can vary from placenta to placenta. Regardless, placenta encapsulation offers a natural, holistic way to support postpartum recovery.
our journey together
From the moment you connect, communication remains open as you approach your birth, ensuring everything is in place when the time comes. Once your baby arrives, the placenta encapsulator will handle the pick-up of your beautifully sacred placenta and drop-off of your final package, allowing you to focus on your recovery. The encapsulation process itself is done with care and attention, where your placenta is prepared, dehydrated, and ground into capsules for convenient consumption. We have packages to help women simply receive the benefits of the placenta and packages that also preserve and honor the placentas beauty.
100-200 capsules | natural print | preserved cord keepsake | placenta salve
investment $325
connect with usbirth doula support
Doulas are knowledgeable in all things childbirth providing emotional, physical, and informational support during the transformation into motherhood. If you’re looking for a sister to walk alongside you on this sacred journey, help you explore your options, take the time to listen, and connect deeply with you—you need a doula!
the transformation
We hold a deep understanding for a woman's needs during the motherhood continuum. Too often societal norms get in the way of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum being peaceful experiences. Our hearts are centered around helping women embrace their pregnancy as a special time that focuses on the mother and her journey as a whole. As birth unfolds our role is in ensuring your space is filled with love, encouragement, information for decision making, and gentle hands-on support. Our goal is in helping you prepare for a postpartum experience that is focused on the mother's healing through a unique approach to 4th trimester care. When you work with us, you will experience the shift from fear to confidence as you get ready to welcome new life.
our journey together
Birth doula support begins with prenatal visits throughout your pregnancy journey. These visits will include discussions around nourishment, your dream for birth, the role of the doula, exploring all of your options, processing any past experiences, topics that are coming up for you, and ways of celebrating this transformative journey for the mother. The doulas presence during birth providing physical and informational support as you birth your baby. Professional documentary photography of birth and those first postpartum moments as you meet your little one. Support in the early hours of postpartum until your family is ready for quiet time as well as a postpartum visit with your doula to close your circle of care.
investment $1,875
Research studies have shown that having a doula on your birth support team reduces the risk on cesarean sections, shortens the length of labor, reduces the need for pain medications such as the epidural, improves communication, leads to better breastfeeding outcomes, less mental health issues, and takes pressure away from birth partners helping them enjoy the experience more.
connect with usbirth documentation
Birth photography helps you remember the little moments during your birth that you spend in your partners arms and meeting your little one for the first time. these moments will be one of the most special days, don’t let these memories fade.
the transformation
We specialize in capturing the raw, authentic moments of labor, birth, and the first hours of your new little one’s life. Our style ensures that intimate and powerful moments are documented while the undisturbed birth space is preserved, allowing you to relive the beauty and strength of your birthing experience for years to come. Trust us to document this sacred chapter with sensitivity and artistry, creating a timeless treasure for your family.
our journey together
Birth documentation is an intimate journey that begins with thoughtful communication as you near your due date. Throughout this time, the photographer works closely with you, ensuring they understand your vision and preferences for your birth experience. When the time comes, they honor the sacred space of your birth, blending into the background while capturing the raw, powerful moments leading up to the birth of your baby. The result is a collection of stunning, timeless memories that tell the unique story of your birth, preserving the emotion, love, and strength of the moment for years to come.
investment $1150
connect with us
FREE CHECKLIST
Know all of your options for birth with our extensive birth preferences checklist with labor and birth options every expecting mama should explore before giving birth
gain access to this checklist and even more resources when you subscribe to our email newsletter and download your copy today!
download your free copyblog: under the willow
Honoring the sacredness + divinity from pregnancy to postpartum.
In this space, we celebrate the sacredness of every birthing experience, recognizing the immense power that resides within each mother and her unique path.
join our email newsletter and stay connected
weekly updates and even more resources when you subscribe
join a class
Are you looking to gain knowledge and confidence, support a healthy pregnancy, prepare for the birth YOU desire, and have a smooth transition into motherhood?
Our online classes are meaningfully created to guide women seeking sacredness and autonomy through invaluable teachings as they navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. These classes provide holistic education, blending modern knowledge with ancient wisdom, to ensure that women feel informed and in control of their birthing experiences.
the sacred path to unmedicated birth
join us as we embark on a journey preparing for natural birth through meaningful education. this course will set the foundation with supporting a healthy pregnancy, delve into the physiological process of birth, labor signs + coping techniques, inner work, and all things postpartum. a complete guide to knowledge and confidence.
COMING SOON…
walking in nourishment
pregnancy nutrition is the single most important aspect of prenatal care, yet many women are not informed and put on “restrictive” diets. this course will help you embody nourishment during pregnancy.
COMING SOON…
the sacred window
this course is focused on guiding women through a physiologic postpartum. helping you prepare for an experience that safeguards short and longterm reproductive health. leading you through all things health and recovery.
COMING SOON…
harnessing alignment + mindfulness in motherhood
COMING SOON…
I’m so glad you’re here!
Hi! I’m Angelia, a doula of seven years, documentary photographer and owner of Bending Willow Birth.
I am deeply passionate about honoring and preserving undisturbed instinctual birth. That the process of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are times of transformation where women deserve to be surrounded in gentle guidance and love. That the doula and midwife's role is to be with women as they embrace such a meaningful transition and have the autonomous birth they desire. That through documentary photography we can preserve the beautiful moments motherhood holds.
what mamas have to say about working with us
“Kendra was so caring and helpful in my postpartum journey. She was able to offer me advice and hope as I went through those first few weeks after giving birth to my firstborn son. Kendra is so down to earth and compassionate. She was easy to talk to and because she is a mom herself it was easy for us to relate. A postpartum doula is a great way to relieve the anxiety of planning for life after delivery. I highly recommend it as a “push gift” for any momma who feels overwhelmed. Bending willow is rooted in holistic care; totally focusing on caring for the whole person and I would recommend them for anyone looking to add a doula to their team."
- Grace
“Angelia was absolutely wonderful to work with! She made the birth experience so much more manageable for me and my husband. I truly do not believe I could have gotten through my home birth without her support. The prenatal visits were extremely informative, and her continuous encouragement was so helpful. She has a gentle, calm, and positive presence.
We also did maternity and newborn shoots with Angelia and were so happy with the photos! Highly recommend Bending Willow for doula and documentation services. :)"
- Allison
