Birth by Michele Zee

01/09/2026

Well, well, well...

Here we are again.

You might be thinking, "geez, how many photography pages does this woman have?!" And that's a valid question. It's a few 🤣 but I like to keep my niches separate!

Bo***ir is what I'm known for, and I *love* bo***ir. It's very special to me. This past year I've been fortunate enough to also rediscover my first love, birth photography. I think at the core of my work, what I love is seeing women discover how strong and beautiful they really are. I am enamored with witnessing new chapters being created from what can only be described as magic. The greatest joy in my professional world is documenting the moments where things *really* change.

I do all kinds of work. But as I move through each year, I become more and more intentional of where I want to put my efforts. Work that serves a deep purpose for my clients, forever keeping those life-changing moments alive and real and tangible, those are the goals I have my sights set on this year.

Since I've become a full-time photographer, every year has presented new opportunities, challenges, miracles, growth, and amazement. I expect no less from this year. Every time I think, "that's it, business ownership is too hard, it's asking too much of me, I should give up," the universe shows me loudly and lovingly that quitting it is not my path. I cannot and will not stop until I have absolutely no more to give.

I'm excited to give in this way. I'm excited to think of the families I will serve that I have yet to meet. I am excited to see what happens next.

09/06/2023

If you asked me ten years ago, I'd say I could not imagine why anyone would want a home birth. No clue. Of course, at that time, I had absolutely zero knowledge about anything birth related.

Now, I get it. It makes the *most* sense to me. Witnessing this mama's birth story unfold was like reading an epic tale. I left with an overwhelming sense of having just seen something amazing, and it took my breath away.

In a lovely home, on a lovely day, this mama labored hard while her birth team surrounded her with love, knowledge, affirming words, and service. Her water had broken a week prior, and everyone was waiting for the joyous arrival of her baby. The atmosphere was calm, absolutely supportive, and focused on serving the woman who was carrying this new life.

Truly, you haven't seen a servant's heart in action until you've seen a birthworker attend to a mother. Everything about the experience felt like the way birth was meant to be. Food, love, laughter, whispered words to the tiny little being on the border of two worlds.

When the decision was made to transfer to the hospital, nothing changed. The doula helped dad put on his OR outfit. She talked him through the change in plans. And when mama was brought back into her room, dad presented her with their beautiful baby girl...then fed mama some Jello.

All births should be this full of comfort and support. All mothers should know this level of care. All babies should be born into such love. What a world it would be ❤️

Lineage Midwifery LLC

02/11/2022

Birth photography is always going to have my heart in a way nothing else can.

After planning a home birth for the better part of my pregnancy, it was disheartening to go so far over my due date. At 41 weeks, I had been having prodromal labor for more than 3 weeks and couldn't handle the stress of not knowing when or if "true" labor was coming, especially knowing we would need to get our two oldest kids off to grandma's house when the time came (a two hour round trip).

Birthing in a hospital was not how I envisioned bringing my son earthside, but it was a beautiful and intimate experience for my husband and I. Because of all the prodromal labor, I was induced while already at 5cm, and Asher came fast and furiously into the world after only 2 hours of labor and 2 minutes of pushing.

The entire experience was a whirlwind, a shockingly fast end to the seemingly endless 10 months that preceded it. Because of my birth photos, I'm able to connect to those beautiful moments that made up Asher's birth story without losing the details in the fog of labor. I will always have these memories. I will always remember the day my world changed ❤

10/30/2021

10/19/2021

I'm officially in the third trimester today, since my due date has been moved up *due* to a baby measuring further along 🤣❤ I've been making Chai tea with almond milk and steeping a red raspberry leaf teabag in it for mornings when I need an extra pick me up, and today is definitely one of them!

How are you/did you treat yourself during pregnancy? I want all the ideas 👀

09/28/2021

Did you take visitors right after birth? That's definitely something I won't be doing this time around!

Scary Mommy

09/27/2021

When a mama shows up with a dress like this 😍

Anyone in Northern Michigan will tell you that there's nothing like our autumns! Stef and Dave took full advantage of the natural beauty around them by having their maternity session at Knaebe's Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm. It was a gorgeous, peaceful evening that allowed me to get to know this wonderful family, and appreciate their story. Dave's love for Stef was evident in how patient and enthusiastic he was about the session (not to mention his natural talent as a dress WHOOSHER). And in listening to the way Stefanie spoke about Dave, it was clear how much love she has for him...I have no doubt she will be saying his name with just as much love and admiration in 50 years. Little Olive is so lucky to have these two as parents!

09/23/2021

graphic: MilkWorks