This week I talk with Leilani Rogers, a multi award winning birth photographer, mentor and storyteller from Austin, Texas. Leilani graciously hosted the Austin portion of my Mock Birth tour.
In this episode, Leilani and I discuss the dynamic of human connection and the stories we create. We talk about the importance of self worth and how this differs from ego, valuing what we bring to the table and trusting our instincts about our worth.
About Leilani Rogers "When people ask me how I became a birth photographer, I tell them it was just meant to be. I was raised to appreciate and partake in the arts as much as possible, so I developed a love for visual expression early on. I spent a lot of time in dance, art and music classes, and went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance and Pedagogy (Teaching). Upon college graduation in 1997, I got married. I continued to perform and teach, even after having my first baby in 1999. But was also about that time that I fell in love with photography. I now have 4 teenagers – 2 boys, 2 girls – who along with my husband encourage me to pursue my big photography dreams. These special people inspire me daily to find and preserve joy in the day-to-day, to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, and to tell stories through my work.
My first experience in storytelling came in 2011, when my sister-in-law asked me to document her birth. It was like my life as a mother and an artist had intersected. I photographed a lot of families and babies back then, so the transition came naturally. That choice has now evolved to include my love for teaching. And when I’m not immersed in birth photography or teaching, I love to entertain, I love plants, and I love goofing around with (and embarrassing) my teenagers."
Get new episodes of Exposing Birth automatically
