Shanika Granville Doula Photo

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Shanika Granville Doula Photo

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Shanika Granville Doula Photo, Pregnancy Care Center, Dayton, OR.

Certified Birth Doula, birth photographer, Certified Infant massage instructor [CIMI®️], and Certified Lactation Counselor [CLC]

Serving families in Portland, Vancouver, Yamhill County & surrounding areas.

09/04/2025

It's not "just a photo." It's the moment your baby was brought over to the warmer so the nurse could do the baby exam and other things. This means separation, unfamiliarity, baby begins to cry, so maybe you begin talking to them, you touch their feet, or their hands to let them know you're near. To bring them that familiarity and calmness from something they recognize from the womb. They become familiar to certain touch, voices, sounds and warmth in their months of growing. They know who you are. It's a photo that shows the love you have for your baby, the moment you wanted to pick up and comfort your baby but comforted them in another way. It's one of the first moments of connection you share with them in the outside world.

Not everyone is looking to capture these moments for you, not even ourselves at times because we're too caught up on the moment. Taking it all in, so we miss the moments in photos. It's my job to watch and observe all of the big and little things so you can look back at all of those first moments you spent with your baby as you welcomed them into the world. You'll get to cherish and relieve these moments forever, which otherwise could've been "forgotten." We do it for our weddings. Why wouldn't you want to look back on bringing your baby into the world?

I've yet to hear anyone say they regret hiring a birth photographer but have heard the regret of not hiring one. I am one of those people. I regret not hiring one for my first three births.

Attending Doula + photographer: Shanika Granville

06/17/2025

I tell my kids it's ok to cry, and tonight I tell myself it's ok to cry. Tonight I cry because I'm overwhelmed in life. Tonight I cry because I'm a mother, a mother who has everything but also what feels like nothing at the same time. Motherhood is all that I envisioned and all that I didn't. I cry tonight for the support I don't have and the support I do. I cry for the breaks I need and don't get enough of. I cry for the village I thought I'd have when I dreamed of entering motherhood one day. Here I am wondering where is that village? The family I have is not what it was when I was younger. My grandparents only growing older, family with health issues and some leaving us on this earth with nothing but memories and grieving over the what could've been if they were still here. I have family but at the same time I don't. Cousins, aunts and uncles I was once so close with in childhood, almost feels like nothing but a distant memory. Who are they? We know of one another but we really don't know one another anymore. Family drama, keeping others away. There's just not enough time in the day. As a child I used to dream of becoming an adult, but no one could prepare you enough for all the trials you have to walk through, often what feels like alone. I'm a woman, a mother, wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend, a dreamer, a listener, I'm an empath and so much more. I'm tired and tonight I cry to release a bit because life is heavy, it's not what I envisioned it to be and I'm grieving so many things in life. I'm working on myself in all the ways, trying to be a better mother, wife and all else. I'm just doing my best to get through the days of every day life while trying to stay up, trust myself, work on my health and relationships, further grow my faith in God and hoping for peace and happiness within. I'm only human and tonight I cried and I'm sure there will be more nights.

06/07/2025

Happy International Homebirth Day!

Did you choose homebirth, If so what was your why?

I chose homebirth because I wasn't heard in the hospital setting.

I chose homebirth because I wanted to feel heard and be in control.

I chose homebirth because I wanted to avoid unnecessary interventions.

I chose homebirth because I felt safe in my home with midwives I picked to come into my space.

I chose homebirth because my kids could be involved.

I chose homebirth because I trusted myself.

I chose homebirth because it's what our ancestors did before hospital birth was a thing and because homebirth is SAFE for low risk pregnancies.

📸

06/05/2025

As a mother of four and doula, I could sit here and tell you how I chose to birth my babies and what I think you should do but that's NOT what I do in our time together. I actually do the opposite, much of how my birth went and choices I made I keep private if asked prenatally. I don't want to influence your choice or experience based on mine. I absolutely will NOT tell you what to do because that is not my place. I might share what was helpful in coping through my labor if I feel it might help you, but it's not my experience it's yours.

That means it's my goal to make sure your wants are heard and you are being informed about all of your choices. I will share resources with you so you can make informed decisions. I will advocate for you by extending your voice when providers aren't listening to you or respecting things you want. I want you to walk into your birth knowing you're capable and leave your birth feeling empowered because you just did that! I believe in you!

05/20/2025

We move through different waves of labor needing different kinds of support. There are times when all we need is the quiet presence of a sister nearby, a midwife observing from a distance, or the grounding touch of someone offering hands on care. Being surrounded by the people we've chosen, those we feel safe with, creates a space where we can stay connected to ourselves and move through each wave with intention and trust. This is what labor support can look like, and it's the kind of support we deserve in our experience. Don't settle for less.

Birth team
Doula Photographer

05/14/2025

Family centered births, what did you decide was best for your family, and what was your experience?

For my second birth, I had planned to have my first child be handed off to her Grandma in the waiting area because she was 1.5yrs old, and I thought it would be too much for her or a distraction for myself. Well, my son had other plans and decided to come a lot faster than we had prepared for and so my daughter ended up being in room for it all.

Afterward, I looked back at videos and photos to see her reaction as her baby brother was born. That was when I realized it wasn't too much for her. In fact, it only sparked curiosity and excitement for this real-life baby we now had. That moment shifted something in me. I knew then that I wanted my future kids to be a part of the experience as much as they wanted, and that is exactly what happened with my next two home births.

I wanted my kids to not fear birth in regards to the unknown, I wanted them to see with their own eyes how birth can be. When we surround ourselves with trained midwives, people we feel safe with, the real and rawness of birth and what it's like to fully trust in yourself in the process. It's not like the movies, and I want to normalize what's real in my family.

Birth team .midwifery
Photographer

05/11/2025

Happy Mother's Day to all who brung life to this world, carried life and loss, to those who took over the mother role, those of us missing a mother figure this year and to all who celebrate this day for one reason or another. It's a day that can be filled with so many feelings! May you all find your day filled with peace and relaxation.

05/09/2025

What do you see when you look at these images?

Not everyone will see it at first look, but I do. I see the raw aftermath of a powerful birth, a birth where she trusted herself, comfort in the ones around her, giving it her all to birth her baby. The water. The blood. The drinks. The many towels. The silence and stillness after the crashing waves. This is what real birth looks like—unfiltered, sacred, and fierce. A moment where time stood still and life began.

Photos:

04/29/2025

Today I have done a total of two birth doula consults with one potentially wanting photos as well + a follow up with a current birth doula client. I then have another perspective birth doula consult later this week. I have no idea what will come of the two consults or the next, but I view each consult as an opportunity. An opportunity to listen to others in what they're going through currently in their pregnancy but also to hear their wants for their birth experience. In that moment it may only be a consult, but I'm also being present for another person by allowing them to speak freely and holding space at the same time. I hold space for what is current and what may be in the future, whether it be me walking alongside them or not. I recognize there is a doula for everyone and I wholeheartedly believe that, so with that said I may get to join these families and I may not, but no matter what I'm wishing them well and sending them so much love and positivity in all that they shared with me. Thank you to all of the families that consider me, choose me and refer me to others. To you, thank yourself for prioritizing your health and birth experience.

You ARE deserving of whatever end experience you want!

12/29/2024

There's the option to go inkless now for the newborn footprints, but there's also something about seeing an inked up newborn foot. Just look how cute!

If you were given the option to choose, which would you go with, inkless or stick with the ways of the ink?

12/25/2024

Wishing everyone a happy holiday and Merry Christmas!

10/21/2024

There is nothing I love more than families who continue to have me document their family in all the ways and become friends at that. I'm forever grateful to the Keller family and absolutely cannot wait for the arrival of their newest member next month.

Address

Dayton, OR
97114

Telephone

+15039356862

Website

http://shanikagranvilledoulaphoto.mypixieset.com/

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