Hey there mama-to-be! So, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with all the information (or lack thereof) about giving birth. But don't worry, I've got you!

Here are 5 things your doctor probably didn't tell you about giving birth that will help you feel more prepared and in control.

(And hey, if these pique your interest, bring these up to your doctor at the next appointment!)

1. You will probably poop during labor (and that's okay!).

So yeah, we had to start with that one! It was my biggest fear of birthing, go figure haha, But don't worry! It's a normal and natural part of the birthing process, and your nurses and doctors are used to it. They will whisk it right out of the way before you even know you did it! I actually asked my husband if I did, and he didn't even know, lol, they keep things all cleaned up down there!  Don't let this concern hold you back, it's nothing to be embarrassed about.

2. Birthing positions - there are many different positions that can help make the birthing process easier.

3. Doulas are a great support and aren't only used for birth.

A doula is a professional trained to provide emotional and physical support to a woman and her partner during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum period. A doula can help you with relaxation techniques, provide emotional support, and advocate for your wishes during birth.

Question for your doctor: Do you work with doulas often? Are there any you recommend?

4.The power of the mind - visualization and other relaxation techniques can help during labor.

Visualization and relaxation techniques such as hypnobirthing, yoga, and meditation can help you stay calm and focused during labor. It can also help to lower stress hormones and increase endorphins, which can make labor more manageable.

Question: Is there anything I can do now to learn how to cope with labor?

5. Cesarean sections are not as scary as they seem.

C-sections are a common form of delivery and can be planned or unplanned. Your doctor and nurses will take great care of you and your baby during the procedure. It's important to remember that a c-section is a surgical procedure and there are risks associated with it, but it can also save the lives of both mother and baby in certain situations.

Question: In what circumstances do you perform c-sections?

So, there you have it, mama. You're armed with some new information that will hopefully help you feel more confident and excited about your birth!

And if you happen to be looking for an Indianapolis Newborn Photographer or any of the surrounding areas, I would love to work with you! Go check out our portfolio here!

I haven't blogged any of my seniors in quite awhile! Blogging is overwhelming to me, especially when I have a huge back log of sessions that I haven't written about. I'm going to do my best, but honestly I'd much rather prioritize shooting and editing! I'm going to start with one of my girls who did one of my large variety sessions! Jadyn is a softball player and a cheerleader, so we started at her high school first with softball. Softball will always have a special place in my heart! My daughter played from 5-24 years old, but I love photographing all sports! Its so much fun to do all of the creative things we can! For this set, we pulled out both smoke and fire! 

We got so many more, but I can't share them all here! After these we went on to the football field for some cheer photos! Jadyn's boyfriend is a football player, so she brought him along for some of those too. You should check out our video on Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@shawna_marie_photography/video/7281487793291906347 she's at a million views! Here are a few of those photos! 

Aren't they adorable? Jadyn wasn't done here! There was a field of beautiful sunflowers blooming right at the time of her session so we stopped there really quick and got some more amazing pics ... 

After those gorgeous flowers, we went to a park where we got even more variety, some with her boyfriend, most by herself, some in water, fields, flowers ... I'll try to leave a sample of each spot below! 

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention she also brought her dog? Yes, you can do that, too! This session was amazing and I loved all of the different things we did! What do you have in mind for your senior photos? I'd love to talk about it! Shoot me an email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and if you're class of 2025 and thinking you might want to join my team, send me your email so I can let you know when it's time to sign up! 

If you're looking for something a little more exciting than the usual team / individual photos, come check out our sports minis! Prices vary depending on location and how much creativity you're looking for, but here's a quick mini in my studio that would be $150 for the session with 5 digital images. 

Just call or text 317-319-6045 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book yours! 

You asked, and we listened! We are now offering new newborn session options. All options include some digital images and options to also purchase prints and products at discounted prices when you purchase one of our larger sessions. We recognize that many people want the digitals, but also, that many of you would like to be able to order from our high quality product menu. 

You can view each of these newborn sessions and our grow with me plan on our main page www.shawnamariephotography.com 

Each session requires a $200 deposit to hold your date, then the remainder is due 2 days before you session date. This means, if you book early, you can make multiple small payments towards your session. This makes it more doable for many more people! Just ask when you book and we will set up your plan!