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Hey badass birthing warrior! I'm a mom of two tiny humans, a certified Birth Doula, Birth Photographer and Childbirth Educator serving expectant families throughout Southeast Michigan. I usually serve within an hour of Jackson, MI. I got my start in birth work by being a wedding and family photographer first. Then on Pinterest, I found birth photography photos and I thought it was beautiful. So I got into birth photography and was hooked. Then after I had my first kid, I took a birth doula training and realized that this was my calling. Not everyone has an empowering birth story and I want to help change the cultural attitude around birth by making them excited, (It's okay to be a little nervous!), confident and prepared for birth. Birth is a transformational experience for both the birthing person and their partner.
Due date close to the edge of this window?
text/phone support, 2-3 prenatals and 1 postpartum visit as well as on call time from 38 weeks until your baby makes their arrival.
Full edited photo gallery, on call time from 38 weeks until your baby makes their arrival, and my time. Films (highlight reels or birth story film) are an additional fee.
Includes everything in Birth Doula Support and Birth Photography package.
As a birth doula, I work along side you and your partner on this journey to bring your baby into this world. I’m like your personal Yoda or guide as you navigate your way into early parenthood. As a doula, I provide physical, emotional and informational support for you and your partner before, during and after your baby’s birth. As a birth photographer, I help remember this transformational experience where your child is born and you are born a parent. I help you remember what a badass you are. As a childbirth educator, I help you get informed about the childbirth process, teach you advocacy skills, practice comfort measures all so that we can stack the cards in your favor for the birth experience you desire.
Thoroughly enjoyed Kristen's presence at my birth! Not only were her photos amazing and emotional, she was invaluable with helping support my husband too. She made sure to help us understand our options and the pros and cons of every new situation and, ultimately, our birth turned out amazing.
— Carmen Schiebner
At the suggestion of our counselor, my partner and I started looking for a birth ed class to take together. The classes offered by our hospital didn't fit well in our schedule, so finding an all online option was the number one reason we initially signed up for classes with Kristen. I was skeptical about how "crunchy" birth ed could be, but was blown away by how evidence-based the Evidence Based Birth curriculum really is. Reviewing meta-analyses, Cochrane reviews, pointing out low quality research, etc. this is how we apply scientific research to clinical decision making! We are so glad we took the time to take this class. As the birthing person, I did not realize how much of a burden I was feeling about needing to learn about birth and then relay all of that to my support person. Learning together took that burden off my shoulders and has both of us feeling so much more confident going into the birth of our first child. We cannot recommend this curriculum enough. It is a commitment to get through all six classes and the accompanying "homework" but it is well worth it. More specifically, Kristen was a great instructor. She has a clear passion for this line of work and was happy to delve into any question we had. Her answers were detailed and thought out. Creating an online "community" with six couples who do not know each other and do not live in the same area is no easy feat, but Kristen did a great job making it feel like a welcoming classroom. We used our HSA to pay for the course and feel it was well worth the cost. Scholarships are also available and Medicaid may cover the cost in full. Our last class took place a week before our due date, which was probably cutting it a little too close, but we made it! We would encourage everyone to consider birth ed, particularly Evidenced Based Birth with Kristen.
— Kate Turner
“Great birthing class experience! The teacher was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of helpful information and practical tips. I really appreciated her time, dedication, and commitment to the work. Highly recommend!”
— Rachel Schulbaum
Kristen was great to work with! I felt educated and prepared going into my birth experience and Kristen was very supportive and knowledgeable!
— Kaite Scott
I just had my baby and with no medicine, I’ve never tried having a doula before and man was I missing out! Kristen deserves all her flowers, she is a great doula and a wonderful person her services really helped me relax, and be as comfortable as possible in my last trimester, Especially childbirth! I couldn’t have done it without her being there for me and baby and how she cared for us was just amazing! Oh and she’s also a great cook, after I delivered my baby and went home she checked on us and brought us a home cooked meal over. My husband and I plan on having more babies in the future and when we do she will always be my doula! I hope this helps another mom in need.
— Desiree Hardin
I highly recommend hiring Kristen to be your doula/birth photographer! Her pre-birth visits really helped me feel prepared for labor, and she was super helpful when I was in labor. The nurses just kind of left me alone in the room to labor, but when Kristen got there she had all kinds of stretches and movements to help get baby ready for delivery. I also was originally not interested in birth photography, but love the images she captured for us.
— Rebekah Prince
We are SO happy that we worked with Kristen as our birth doula and photographer. Starting during pregnancy, she had great advice about stretches to mitigate discomfort. We also met ahead of time to talk about birth "plan"/preferences and ways to prepare for all the different parts of labor (mental, emotional, physical, etc.). During labor and delivery, she was such an incredible support and advocate. Having her around meant that my mom and husband could take the chance to rest or go to the hospital cafeteria for food. She also had such a wealth of knowledge about different laboring positions that successfully helped rotate my baby in utero so that he was in the optimal position for birth. Finally, she made sure to check in with me to make sure I had the chance to ask questions of my doctor and nurses when complications came up -- she ensured that my choices were respected and I felt so empowered!! In addition, the pictures she took are such valuable mementos of the entire experience and ensure that we won't forget a single moment of the most incredible experience of our lives <3
— Morgan M.
I highly recommend Kristen for her photography and doula experience. She was a perfect fit for exactly what we needed when we needed it at our birth. She was such a calm presence during our labor. You can tell her heart is in this field. She did such a great job encouraging both me and my husband not only during birth but before and after with the changes of adding another family member.
— Jenni Hardcastle
Kristen was excellent! She did a great job of learning about me, my family, and our wishes for the birth of our daughter. She provided resources to help with birth that were consistent with what I wanted. I’m honestly not sure I could have made it through my unmedicated natural birth without her. She texted me the whole day until it was determined it was go time, then she was there immediately when my husband couldn’t make it for a while due to finding help for our older child. For several hours Kristen helped me through the most intense pain of my life and was able to keep me on track with my plan. Even better, she got some amazing pictures of the birth that I will cherish forever. Highly recommend!
— Nicole Burnett
Kristen was absolutely amazing to have as a doula. The prenatal visits she had with us were so informative and made me feel prepared and less anxious about giving birth. During labor she was so attentive and made me feel comfortable and relaxed. She was a great support for my husband as well as she guided him in ways to help me during labor. Hiring her as our doula made my birth experience wonderful, I don’t think it would’ve been nearly as great without her help! The pictures she took were also so amazing, and I am so happy to have those to look back on. She captured so many great moments for us.
— Taylor Kibby
I cannot say enough positive things about my experience with Kristen! Not only was she attentive, informative, and caring throughout all of the prenatal visits and the birth itself, I feel like she's also given me a feeling of empowerment to use my voice in medical situations that I was lacking. She helped me take a minute and think about decisions in a medical setting and it's a skill I'll carry for the rest of my life. Additionally, she has worked with me demonstrating endless patience as we sorted through insurance issues (which also means she's a Tricare master now!) The photos she took of my birth are something I'll treasure for forever! I also want to note that doulas are not just for unmedicated births and Kristen absolute shone in supporting me through my induction/epidural experience. Seriously - an all around amazing experience.
— Margo Warren
Kristen did my engagement photos and she was fantastic! I loved our photos, it reflected our personalities well. She was a fun photographer to have personally. Kristen is professional and communicates well with you; she makes sure that she hears your needs and respects what you're looking for as a client.
— Carrie Sneller
Kristen Schell recently photographed the birth of my fourth child and first home birth. She made every effort to ascertain my wishes regarding modesty and which aspects of labor and birth I wanted to document. She was very supportive and interested in my personal story and how she could help preserve the memories of my son’s special birth day. Kristen was quick in editing and coming back to review the photos with me to ensure I was satisfied with her work. Overall, she went above and beyond and clearly has a passion for birth and championing moms! Her photos captured my strength and the support and love of my family and friends who cheered me on through labor. And the first family photos the following morning when we introduced the siblings and grandparents help me remember each of their precious reactions and relive the relief and pride of those first hours holding my newborn.
— Angela Hinkle
Kristen is an amazing Doula and Birth Photographer all in one! She was so helpful and supportive during the birthing process especially when I had to have an emergency c-section. Plus, we have the most beautiful photos of our baby right after she was born that we will treasure forever. Kristen is awesome!
— Annamarie Groenenboom
Ready to talk with Kristen?
Free to send. Kristen usually responds within an hour.
Kristen's National Provider Identifier (NPI 1154061273) is registered on the federal NPPES registry as Doula (374J00000X). Bornbir matched the number and name against it on Oct 16, 2026. An NPI is the number providers bill insurance with. It doesn't confirm a license or certification, and it isn't a background check.
Certifications, training, and credentials are listed by the provider. Bornbir doesn't verify them, so ask Kristen for a copy of any certificate you rely on.
Fake credentials, a no-show, or someone using Kristen's name? Tell our support team.
Kristen is based in Jackson, Michigan.
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