Meet Sarah Kaempfe of Embrace Birth Photography in Orange County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Kaempfe.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started working as a graphic journalist for the Associated Press in New York City in 2000. After creating art for such as major events as 9-11 and the war on Iraq, I knew ultimately I wanted a more personal creative outlet. I made the decision to move to Boston and work for the Boston Herald. I grew up in the Boston area and going home was a great transition into more local work. After the birth of two of my three daughters I was inspired by birth and my husband had a job change which moved us to Southern California. While still freelancing, I started to teach childbirth classes and became involved in the birth community. Now even more informed and passionate about birth, I wanted my third birth to be at home with my daughters and husband as active participants. My headstrong little girl came on her own terms and instead being born in the water she insisted on arriving while I was walking across my bathroom floor. As my husband caught her, her bag of waters broke creating what made a stunning, full of emotion moment. My only regret was that none of it was captured. My birth journey and that moment is something I long to be able to show my children, but I do not have one image. Once breastfeeding came to a close for me, I merged my two passions art and birth. Being a birth photographer is the most rewarding work I have ever done.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Since I was already a part of the birth community and know birth, the road was quite smooth. I am also very lucky to have experienced fantastic doctors, midwives, nurses and birth workers that have been welcoming and supportive.

Please tell us about Embrace Birth Photography.
I specialize in baby, birth and new family documentary work. I capture real families living their lives and being a family.

Birth Photography is my specialty. I am on call for my clients from 37 to 42 weeks gestation. I am with them from active labor until about two hours after baby arrives. I go at all hours of the day or night. I have been at a birth for as long as 27 hours and as short as five hours. I capture their birth journey. The images are tasteful, emotional and almost always very powerful. Dad gets to be in the images instead of the one taking them. I capture their reaction as they meet their baby and all of the details surrounding the arrival. They get all of their images (usually 150-200) which tell their birth story.

My Herbal Bath photography sessions not only produce unique and stunning images, but also give mom and baby some healing and bonding time. Mom soaks in a bath with healing herbs that I prepare. Baby floats in mom’s arms usually with flowers around them.

I offer Fresh 48 sessions. This includes me going to their hospital or home within 48 hours of baby being born to document their newborn, breastfeeding, being a new parent and often I am there for the first pediatrician visit.

I also offer lifestyle newborn sessions. I document the new family in their home during the first month of baby’s life. These are fantastic because it is not posed or staged. It is real and expresses how they are as a family.

My parenting in focus sessions document them doing their favorite activities with their children such as reading stories or baking cookies.

I am most proud of the families I serve. Giving birth and caring for a new baby is a time of such strength and perseverance. I have documented so many different situations, challenges and beautiful moments. It is awe inspiring and such a gift to be a part of.

What sets me apart from others is my New York City work ethic combined with my love and respect for birth, babies and also art. I am efficient, strong and never flake. I know that to truly document birth and babies it is better to go unnoticed, stay in tune to when they need privacy and also be ready to capture split second important moments. Finally, I have studied art all my life. I was lucky enough to study art in Paris and also achieve my MFA in Boston. I treat every image that I deliver to my clients as if that is the one image they are going to hang on their wall. I truly love editing and delivering images that they will want to share for a lifetime.

When my clients order slideshows my eyes fill with tears every time I watch the finished product. I am so blessed to be a part of this time in their lives.

I am a birth photo journalist.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was nine, my grandparents took me on a road trip to Canada. We traveled to Niagara Falls, Quebec and Montreal. I was so in awe and inspired by how people and places could be so different but the same. It was still the earth, men, women and children, but the food, the language, the architecture, even the flowers were different. Good different. I think that’s when I knew I wanted to make sure that I spent my life experiencing more of what makes us unique.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.EmbraceBirthPhotography.com
• Phone: (949) 478-2761
• Email: info@embracebirthphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embracebirthphotographyoc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/embracebirthphotography
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/embrace-birth-photography-costa-mesa-3

Image Credit:
Embrace Birth Photography

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.