Your birth story deserves to be remembered

Birth is wonderfully beautiful and impactful. Hire a birth photographer to cherish each moment.

Get to know me

Hi! My name is Elana Beal and I live with my husband and two young boys on our mini homestead in Washington County. Growing up, I had an invisible string drawing me to birth, always reading books and watching shows and film around the stories of childbirth. As a teenager, I attended an arts high school and later got my bachelor's degree in Fine Art Photography, following my passion of photographing the world around me. In a turn of events, the day after finishing college I became a herdsman and cheesemaker, and my life turned back to birth as I had the privilege of watching 25+ goats give birth each spring. I knew I finally wanted to pursue my passion of birth work, and in 2020 I became a DONA-trained doula and combined my photography experience to start Elana Beal Birth Photography. When I'm not with my camera, I love to garden, hike small mountains with my children, and jump in the ocean.

The Lookabaughs // A fresh new family of four 🌝

Little pieces of Paige’s labor at Holly No 7 🌝

In the dark of the night, Paige worked so hard through her labor to bring her son earth side. Just look at all that love and support surrounding her 🥹

The little details of your baby you’ll want to remember forever 🤍

My favorite part of an at-home lifestyle newborn session is that your baby never has to leave your arms or lap to get that perfect shot. Comfort in those early days and weeks for both mama and baby is my priority!

And baby makes four 🤍

It’s always so sweet to return to a couple and photograph them again as their family continues to grow. This in-home newborn family session was filled with laughter and conversation as I got to hear about their new little-one’s birth all while photographing them comfortably inside their beautiful home. Welcome to the world, sweet Lewis!

My favorite place to photograph your newborn is in your arms 🌝

Everyone loves a good sale! 😉 This Small Business Saturday, book my birth photography services and receive 50% off the price! Share with your pregnant friends 🫶 Valid today through 12/2

The birth of a child is the birth of a mother 🌝

Hello Virginia 🌝

I’ve had the privilege of photographing baby Ginny’s big siblings as newborns and it was so special to visit them once again as their family continues to blossom. Ginny, you were born into an amazing family!

The moment of birth and the moments that follow 🌝

Would you believe that 60 minutes prior, the decision was made for a cesarean? Tears were shed, consent forms signed, the OR was prepped but minutes before the surgical team came in, this mom and dad decided to keep pushing… just to try. 45 minutes later, baby was born! A moment I’ll remember forever

Those fresh details of pink skin, teeny toenails, and that wavy ✨just born✨ hair

A fresh new family of four 🌝

Last week, Jacob and Kate welcomed me into their beautiful home (built by Jacob!) for a family session centered around welcoming their newest daughter. The morning was filled with laughter, sourdough bagel talk, toddler dancing, birth story sharing, and more. I love watching families grow 🌾

After photographing mom and dad catch their baby (in the shower!), I looked back and saw the teary-eyed, proud faces of the people who just watched their daughter/sister give birth. Their faces say it all… 💫🌖

Three… the most magical number to become! 💫

The best part of an at-home newborn lifestyle session? Your family is comfortable to be their true self, and what’s more special than to preserve those beautiful, and sometimes chaotic, newborn days at home ✨

A year ago, the Dunham’s fourth boy finally arrived! Happy first birthday, Fletcher 🥳 You complete this family beautifully!

Sometime during your labor, I’ll take the last photo of your baby bump 💫 The last photo of your child within you, sharing your blood and nutrients, accepting your warmth and comfort, before they enter the world and become their own 🌖

The bliss between contractions 💫

During her birth of baby Iris, Kaitlyn had an incredible calm focus between her surges. In many cases, the pelvis mimics the jaw, and a relaxed face can do wonders for easing baby down and through the birth canal… and just 30 minutes after these photos were taken, baby arrived!

#birthphotography #birth #birthphotgrapher #birthcomb

Wrinkly hands / creased feet 💫

#birthphotography #birthphotographer

I always love a good placenta shot, especially when it’s nestled in the nicest bowl in the house! 🔥 What did you do with your placenta?

On a snowy March night, sweet Payson was born 💞

It was a joy to hear Christina share her full birth story at @hollyno.7birthcenter on the @mymainebirth podcast last week! It’s one thing to be in the presence of birth power and another to hear the whole story and experience from the mom herself. Thanks @mymainebirth for sharing the incredible gift of birthing stories in our little Maine community.

Fletcher, at 5 days old 🏹

One of my favorite things is to return to a client’s home within the first two weeks of their birth to photograph the new family. This session is planned and known (unlike birth!) and is a slow time to document all the simple, precious moments that life with a newborn brings.

The calm after the storm ✨💫 Only an hour after the whirlwind of giving birth to her fourth son, LeAnne settled back in bed to recover and await the return of her “big” kids. Nothing like being in the comfort of your own home to begin the journey of postpartum!

#birthphotography #birthphotographer

The first snuggle ✨

#birthphotography #birth #birthphotographer

In every birth setting, I’ve seen the providers that ✨care✨ Care about the birth plan, care about the baby, the family, and beyond.

Image Description: Midwife @juliehavenerdesigns connecting with two siblings she helped deliver.

#birthphotography #birthphotographer

Name something sharper than a newborn’s nails… I’ll wait 😉

Birth stories are love stories 💛

At every birth, I spend time looking at the dad, as their face communicates it all. During Robin’s birth of Freya, Clint showed his pure love and awe for Robin as they worked together to bring their daughter into the world.

🩺 @juliehavenerdesigns

And then there were three… 💫

🏡 @hollyno.7birthcenter

#birthphotography #birthphotographer

Happy Labor Day to all who celebrate! 😉

Labor is hard work, but choosing the right people to join you in your birthing sphere can have the biggest impact on your physical and emotional wellbeing. It was such an honor to witness Rachel’s strength during her birth, all while her husband, mom, and five sisters surrounded her with love and support through her 19-hour labor 🥰

Who did you invite into your birthing space? How did they make you feel?

🏡 @hollyno.7birthcenter

#birthphotography #birthphotographer

The umbilical cord… the physical reminder of the bond between mama and baby that began at the very beginning ✨

#birthphotography #birthphotographer

Birth photography is more than just photographing your labor - I stay up to two hours after birth to document ✨the golden hour!✨ Those first feeds, skin-to-skin cuddles, the early yawns and cries, and meeting family are just some of the precious moments that make up the early postpartum period.

At Olivia’s homebirth of Hazel, big sis Haven was immediately invited inside (from playtime with her grandparents) to meet her sister and to settle in as a new family of four ✨

#birthphotography #birthphotographer

Why Birth Photography? No matter where or how you give birth, or if it’s your first or fourth, your baby's birthday will be one of the most transformative days in your family's life. With a birth photographer, you and your partner can stay present, while every precious detail of your birth story is archived through images. How you choose to labor, the people in your birthing space, the moment you finally meet your baby, and more can all be documented to cherish the rest of your life.

This photo featuring @leannedunham’s “I did it!” moment is one my favorites from the birth of her fourth son. Her strength as a mama, and the love she shares with her husband and children radiated through each moment of her labor and delivery!

#birthphotography #birthphotographer

Hi! My name is Elana and I’m the face behind Elana Beal Birth Photography. I live with my husband and two young boys on our mini homestead in Whiting, Maine. Growing up, I was always drawn to birth, and spent many hours watching the TLC program, "A Baby Story". As a teenager, I began my passion for photography in my high school art classes, and later got my bachelor's degree is Fine Art Photography from Smith College. After I became a herdsman in 2016 and had the privilege of watching 25+ goats give birth each spring, I knew I finally wanted to pursue my passion of birth work. I became a DONA-trained doula in 2020 and combined my photography experience to start Elana Beal Birth Photography. Follow along to see the raw beauty in birth stories in Downeast Maine!

📸 @lovelleslens.photography

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow me on Instagram

@birthingdowneast

Your birth story deserves to be remembered

Get to know me

​

Follow me on Instagram