april, 2024

Jasper's birth

Birth is about connection

Birth Photography Helsinki Finland

I received a message from Sini & Antti, a family who had discovered my birth photos on social media. They were expecting their second child and, halfway through the pregnancy, were wondering whether hiring a birth photographer would be financially possible for them. As you can hear from their feedback, they never regretted the decision.

From the very beginning, we both felt: "We are a match!" When we got to know each other, our values aligned beautifully. The family hoped for the most natural hospital birth possible, and eventually decided to have a doula as part of their birth team as well. This birth photography experience taught me a lot about working in the low lighting of a hospital birthing room.

Sini had a special request regarding the photos of her placenta. After the birth, her doula and I helped to capture these beautiful placenta photos (which are quite rare in hospitals). Some time after her birth, Sini said that I inspired her to also educate herself to become a doula too.

Undisturbed and natural hospital
birth

sini & antti

"During my pregnancy, it meant so much that you stayed in touch — checking in, encouraging me, and supporting me every step of the way. You truly cared about my birth wishes and made sure I felt informed, confident, and at ease."



Sini K.

"On my due date, I went for a relaxing pregnancy massage and induction treatment, and in the evening I started feeling stronger contractions. The next night I woke to the first menstrual-like cramps, and contractions started coming.

I got up to prepare the house, and around 3 a.m. I called my doula Marina and birth photographer Pinja, as well as my mom to come watch our toddler. When everyone arrived, the contractions slowed down for a moment because of the excitement. As morning came, they strengthened again. Our toddler watched me curiously as I breathed through contractions. When they intensified, we decided to head to the hospital. The drive eased the pain a bit, but I felt huge relief when we saw the signs for Hyvinkää Hospital.

At the hospital, I chose to take the stairs, and the examinations felt like the most irritating part of the whole birth. We moved to the birthing room to wait for the tub to fill. The contractions intensified, and I used birth singing, rocking, and the TENS unit. When the tub was ready and I got into the warm water, the relief was immediate.

The contractions were still powerful, but the breaks were blissfully relaxing. Soon my body began to push on its own. I felt the membranes bulging and then the baby’s head—followed quickly by the whole baby, born with a hand by the cheek. Actually, we saw the hand on the cheek through the birth pictures, since no one noticed it during the birth. I lifted the baby from the water onto my chest, and the moment was magical.

The placenta didn’t come right away, so we moved to the shower with the baby in my arms, as I didn’t want the cord cut early. The hot water helped, and the placenta came easily. We had been at the hospital less than two hours. I was able to stay in my own peaceful bubble the whole time, my wishes were respected, and the support from my birth team and my husband made the birth beautifully natural and empowering."

a hospital
    water
birth

the story

full birth story

sini k.

"When the big moment came, your presence was so calming and empowering — just like having a doula by my side. I felt completely safe, natural, and seen with you there.

Even though I’m usually camera-shy — most of the time I didn’t even notice you and the camera. You captured everything so beautifully while allowing me to stay fully in the moment."

Start here

Read more about birth photography and get in touch to have a chat

Book me to document your birth story 

photo: Kaunis piirto

Hi, there! I'm Pinja, a photographer who loves working with kids and helping others to grow. Nature inspires me, and I dream of traveling the world with my family in a camper van, camera in another hand.

Photographer     mom     Colorful soul

Helsinki, Finland

the sessions