Today we’d like to introduce you to Eva Cooper.
Hi Eva, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was 21 I was evaluating my education route. I had just decided I didn’t want to be a physical therapist and I wanted to pursue something that was passion driven. I knew I wanted something art related, so I decided to try photography out. I was a little embarrassed telling friends and family, here I was, another “Utah Girl” trying to make a living off photography.
Trying to find a niche that felt right, I was scrolling on Instagram, following the #Utahphotographer, hoping something would come up. That’s when my thumbs stopped scrolling.
I saw a photo of a newborn baby. They were taking their first breath. Instantly my eyes started watering. I had been told my whole upbringing that birth was something that just needed to happen to become a mother. It was full of swearing at your partner, babies coming out covered in blood and looking like aliens, and of course, the dreaded concept of unbearable pain. This photo was none of that- there was a baby right in front of me taking their first breath and it was beautiful. A single photo taught me something deeply profound- Birth was something to be experienced- not endured.
I immediately felt called to this movement. I was going to capture photos in birth and help women around the world no longer fear but feel excitement for the moment that lead them to their baby.
Admittedly, I knew I did not know enough about photography to enter a birth space and stay respectful of such a intimate and divine moment. I immediately signed up for the photography program at SLCC. I called my aunt that I knew were once apart of the birth community in Oregon and was told “If you want to be respectful of the birth space, you need to understand why someone wants a natural birth or a home birth.”
In 2019, I attended my first birth as a photographer, It was such a small space in a tiny apartment, and the team held the space beautifully. I remember going home in awe of the reverence that was held for the mother and her experience. This was my calling.
Shortly after attending a few births as a photographer, I had my first newborn baby boy. I had hired a doula, and had a positive birth experience. I did not hire a birth photographer because of financial restrictions. When covid happened a few months after, Mothers were being told to choose between having a photographer or doula in their space. Reminded of the choice I personally had to make, I signed up for a doula training. I wanted to offer both so that families could have both photos and support in their labor.
What I didn’t know, was after that training and attending births, I became a birth worker- not just a photographer. I was passionate about providing a space where families had a quiet space. Maybe it was a call back to the first birth I attended, but the small births with limited people always drew me. It brings such a nurturing energy to the space, where the parents are centered around the birth. It was empowering to see parents greet their little one, completely unaware of everyone else in the room. Silence, reverence, and respect held by the midwives and the family’s birth team.
Later on, as I grew, I took a training with a collogue- Joleen Cullens and became her apprentice and licensed as an LMT.
I had no idea the first time that I ordered a camera that it would lead me into such an honoring journey. I am so grateful for the families that entrusted me into their divine space and allowed me to document and/or support them through their journey.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say that following the calling as a birth worker is never smooth. There is a lot of advantages I was given to help me stay supporting families.
In 2021, my husband’s epilepsy became unmanaged. I watched my husband going from working full time, to being on medical leave losing consciousness about 3-5 times a day. I thought he was going to lose his job. I realized that it was me that may need to financially support my family. At this point I raised my rates and focused deeply in my work. It wasn’t enough and I took a quiet leave from birth work until my husband was able to find medication that stabilized his health and was able to return to work.
This event opened my eyes and reminds me that having a second income, family support, daycare, and so many other factors are all apart of the system that helps me support other families. Once my husband’s health returned I started my apprenticeship as a massage therapist.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Birth photography and doula work is something that has been picking up movement for awhile. Some individuals see it as an over-the-top trend that maybe is even a little gross. (Who wants photos of baby coming out?) But the truth is, birth photography is a powerful tool. It helps parents process their births, remember key moments, and have photos of their first moments with their baby.
Alongside photography, doula support is also a valuable tool for families birthing. We help support physically through labor and provide emotional support, informational support, and connection.
I would say that many people know me for my photography, but I wish more people knew me for offering doula & birth photography support! My photography is often described by my collogues as cinematic, raw, emotional, and personal. I like to through the word moody and film-like in there when I describe my work.
I am proud of the families that I watch growing after I supported them through labor. I love seeing the close knit love they have for each other. Family connection and bonding is a lifetime journey and I’m honored to be in the first beginnings of it by nurturing their birth space.
One thing that I offer is the experience of many different skillsets. Because of this, families don’t need to invite so many people into their birth space and can have a small circle and focus on meeting their little one for the first time.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Many people say that birth photography and doula work are a trend. I would argue that there are thousands if not billions of years of art depicting birth. We see since the beginning of history that individuals did not birth alone and support with a circle of women were very common.
What I hope to see is more intentional birth in the future. I hope to see more midwives, OBGYN’s Nurses and everyone in the birth team focusing their energy into nurturing the space. Allowing families to choose how they want to birth (as situation permits), and focus on connection between the baby and the parents. I hope to see more quiet and reverent spaces.
Pricing:
- Massage rates start at $110
- Portrait sessions are $350 (Maternity, breastfeeding, newborn)
- Doula & Birth Photography rates start at $1785
- Eva Irene Birth offers flexible payment plans, trading, and
- (note to editor: My rates will be reflected correctly by may 2026 on my website)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://evairenebirth.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/evairenebirth
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/evairenebirth
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-cooper-67a334288/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@evairene_doulatog
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/eva-irene-birth-south-ogden
