Hey there!
My name is Shelby. I am your Central Alberta doula, birth photographer, and birth videographer, residing in Sylvan Lake, and serving all of Red Deer and surrounding areas.
My husband Matt and I have four beautiful, wild kiddos – Mason (2013), Luca (2016), Delaney (2018), and Joseph (2024). We were incredibly fortunate to have care from the team at Prairie Midwives for all four of our babies, and experiencing the transformative experience of childbirth and motherhood for the first time was what initially nudged me to doula work in 2014, and to later add birth photography to my offerings in 2017.
I feel strongly about informed consent and bodily autonomy, and I believe that every pregnancy and birth is wildly unique. I think birth photography is powerful and so important, and that these memories and moments are irreplaceable. I know that the right choices look different for every family, and my goal is to help you feel confident in making the ones that are best for you. Whether you’re here looking to add to your birth team for your VBAC, home water birth, elective cesarean, or anything in between, I’m your gal, and I’m here to be an unbiased, familiar hand to hold through this journey with you, however it unfolds.
Fun Facts
I was born in the city of Scarborough, Ontario, before Scarborough became amalgamated into Toronto
I have 4 backyard chickens – Houdini (Dini), Laser, Rose, and Raven
My first and fourth births were the ones I felt like I needed the support from a doula the most. With my first, I didn’t have one – with my fourth (and second and third), I did
Brand New, blink-182, and Atmosphere are tied as my “most seen bands” at 3 shows each
My husband and I travelled across the country in our minivan (Sylvan Lake, AB —> Saint John, NB) in Summer 2022, and I can’t wait until the day I get to explore the East Coast again
Speaking of my husband, we’re high school sweethearts, and have been together for over 15 years now. He once won us an RV by standing with his hand on it for 48 hours, and I think he’s pretty cool
Our last baby, Joey, was born with his second and third toes on both feet fully conjoined – it’s his little party trick
Two of the hobbies I picked up during the pandemic were houseplants and specialty coffee, and they both stuck – our house is adorned by over 25 plants, and I make my husband & I fancy lattes with art every morning, no exceptions
Birria tacos + a classic marg on the rocks = my FAVE
