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Birth Photography, Birth Films, and Doula Support

An End of the Year Wrap-up!

Oh my goodness! The last quarter of 2024 has been a whirlwind—like trying to catch confetti in a windstorm! I must apologize for my blog silence; I’ve been busier than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

So much has happened that it feels like I’m trying to recall a plot twist in a soap opera! We’ve had awards, a few hospital births, a free-birth at home, and let’s not forget my annual Santa Sessions, where I transform into a jolly photographer for the holidays. It’s been quite the ride!

Awards

I guess I will start with the IAPBP annual contest for birth photographer of the year. Was I birth photographer of the year? Nope, but I did win a silver award as well as a commendation award.

This is the image that won silver-

black and white birth photo of a man supporting the mother during a Los Angeles home free birth by Leona Darnell
IAPBP award for Leona Darnell, Los Angles birth photography and film

The image below received an commendation-

Freebirth scream of a woman in transition.

A Los Angeles Free Birth

The two images above are from a wild and unforgettable free birth experience I documented. Imagine this: a last-minute booking because her original doula and birth photographer had to cancel. So, she brings me on board for pictures and enlists another doula for support. Honestly, I’m thankful for this setup; trying to juggle both would have turned me into a frazzled circus act!

It was a middle-of-the-night call during one of LA’s infamous heat waves. All the power had gone out, leaving us in complete darkness—no light, no hot water for the tub, and let’s not even talk about fans or air conditioning. Talk about sweating it out! And here’s the kicker: the baby decided to take its sweet time making an entrance, presenting sunny side up like it was trying to audition for a cooking show.

Props to the doula for keeping her cool—she was definitely the right choice! I can’t share the film just yet, but it’s absolutely gorgeous. In the meantime, here are a few images from that night. Trust me, with no light and a room full of excitement, it was not the time to whip out my flash like I was at a disco party!

Color birth image of a home birth. Woman on a birth ball.
black and white birth photo of a woman in labor in the bathroom.
black and white birth photo of a man supporting the mother during a Los Angeles home free birth by Leona Darnell
black and white image of a laboring woman during a home birth.
a woman screaming during labor.
black and white image of a woman laboring during childbirth.
Freebirth scream of a woman in transition.
birth photo of a Los Angeles free birth by Leona Darnell
black and white birth photo of a woman being supported by her husband.
color birth photo by Leona Darnell of a woman holding her newborn.
home birth photo of a dad holding his newborn son.
color birth photo of a mother, father, and newborn by Leona Darnell.

If you are planning a homebirth or hospital birth or even a birth center birth, take a look at my portfolio and my service page!

Hospital Births

Somehow, it has taken me hours just to write this blog. I will come back with hospital births in the new year!