Jackie cares about: photography as a means for change

I care about using photography as a means for change. I am very passionate about the subjects that I photograph, and this always inspires me to push further. My birth photography work started in conjunction with my doula work, accompanying women during childbirth, and documenting the experience for them. This has made an impact in two ways: First, documentation of a vulnerable moment in a woman's life allows her access to it afterwards, to process what happened. Often the births I attend are full of love and support, and women feel proud and empowered by the experience. Having documentation of this makes it even more real for them, and they can relive the moments again. Sometimes, it's a matter of catching moments from an observer's perspective, moments that they might not have even remembered, as they were experiencing it from a very different perspective. Another way these birth images have been making an impact is by showing women what actually happens during childbirth. For the most part, a woman preparing for childbirth, or hoping to get pregnant, has never been to a birth, and has no practical experience or knowledge about what actually happens. My photos have been helping women prepare for childbirth. These photos have changed women's thoughts about childbirth from fear to excitement. Birth is not something to dread. Women's bodies are not incapable. They were literally made to do this. They are powerful and capable. I would like to continue photographing birth, and hope to travel in order to document the differences in birthing around the world. Birth is on the cusp of change. It is in need of change. Women (and their partners) are speaking up about their right to birth where they want, attended by who they want, and under the circumstances that they want. Birth statistics are incredibly disastrous right now, and I hope through photographing the different birth cultures around the world I can help create a more balanced, positive, and inclusive birthing culture for women and their children.

www.jackiedivesbirthdoula.com/blog
www.jackiedives.com