"Giving birth is such an intimate event and I was originally concerned about having a photographer present. Would I be able to relax? Would I be able to remain calm? Would I be distracted? Within seconds of Nichelle's arrival, however, I saw that I had no reason to be concerned. Nichelle was so subtle and supportive, she almost melted into the background! Her presence was calming and soothing, respectful and reverent, generous and gracious. Over the course of 14 hours, Nichelle quietly took pictures of the power of a woman in labor and how lucky I am that the woman was me! At my home, Nichelle followed me and my support team as I labored in many rooms, never intruding but still announcing her presence so as to insure the photographs she took were ones that we wanted. I felt completely at ease with her and was so glad that she was documenting one of the most amazing and empowering moments of my life. I felt comfortable in any position, any stage of dress, making any sounds that I needed to make in order to bring my baby into the world. When we went to the hospital, Nichelle was quiet, patient,and respectful of the staff which helped tremendously! In this day and age, hospitals are limiting what can and cannot be recorded on film (digital) and her extreme professionalism, I believe, is what allowed us to be able to capture every second. At any point in my labor, I felt confident that I could ask her to stop snapping photographs. I never feared that she would photograph anything that I preferred her not. Her presence allowed my husband and doula to focus on me without worry of making sure we got the pictures we wanted. No one had to leave my side for a camera because we knew that Nichelle was taking care of it all. Nichelle not only took pictures, she lent a confident, inspiring, empowering presence by offering verbal support and encouragement. Her profound respect for birthing women was clearly evident. As wonderful as having her at my birth seemed, the real blessing of her presence came when my son was two days old. Nichelle arrived at my home with the most beautiful photographs I have ever seen! Somehow, Nichelle managed to tell a life changing story without the use of a single word. Flawless black and white images showed the wonder of my son's birth. All my hard work was preserved and glorified within these moments in time captured with a camera ... my contracting belly, the positions in which I labored, the candle light, the first glimpse of my son's head, his expression as he entered the world, the glorious moment when my husband saw our son for the first time, the pride in my face as I realized that I had given birth, the first time I fed my son at my breast. It was all there. It was all perfect. It was, and still is, amazing. Nearly two years later, I am able to look at nearly 150 photographs that say what I cannot - they tell the story of a miracle with a beauty that the English language does not possess. Thank you, Nichelle." Sarah-Kohl - Columbia, MO. 2003