Intentional Photographer & Videographer
Birth/Maternity/Postpartum
First name: Katie-Ryan
Last name: Fotiadis (FOH-tee-AH-dis)
she/her/hers
Howdy, I'm Katie-Ryan and am truly looking forward to joining your birth team!
Double first name gal
Mom to an independent/sensitive/curious kid with whom I also get to practice reparenting myself
Love-smitten, devoted partner to Melissa!
Live in Louisville, KY, but my accent is from Southeastern, TN
I create yummy recipes with all the allergy-friendly food that I get to eat b/c my food allergy list is very loooong and I love/live to eat!
Actually, I love so many things - gentle mornings, a hot cup of tea, music...all the music, sunrise/set, jumpsuits, meditation, fresh flowers, gardening, our 2 cats-Sir Isley Noodle and Claire Bear, the inclusivity of the word "y'all"...and ellipsis to convey my thoughts
If a conversation reminds me of a song, I will break out into song lyrics
I can often be found in a research rabbit hole
I will buy plants without a plan of where I'm going to put them
I'm a dancer of various styles- Contra, Blues, Belly Dance, GrAystone Style (not a typo), Latin, and more
I delight in using semicolons; we all have our quirks ;)
I have a terrible singing voice, but I don't let it stop me from cranking the music and singing (at a volume I'm unaware of, but my neighbors definitely are) while mowing the lawn
Nature helps me to reset, feel connected, and gain mindful perspective
In 2017, my sister asked me to be with her for her first birth and to bring my new-to-me camera to get a few pictures while I was there. Slight issue - I was also new to photography, learning my camera, and trying to figure out what I liked to shoot. Little did I know that I would instinctively go into birth photographer mode and quietly hold the space for the immense honor of capturing and reflecting the embodiment, beauty, power, connection, tenderness, perseverance, courage, and love of those precious moments back to her and her husband - with photos. I was able to show her the things that she wouldn't later remember on her own: her strength, her endurance, her power, her love, the support of her spouse, the joy, relief, and awe in their faces the moment they got to meet their daughter. It changed my life! That was it; I found what I loved to shoot! Luckily for me, I got the opportunity to do it again a year later.
Values
Inclusivity - be a safe space and welcome every birthing person, as well as welcome every birth story: homebirths, birthing centers, hospital, cesareans, and loss/remembrance
Empowerment - capture and reflect back the embodiment, beauty, power, connection, tenderness, perseverance, courage, and love of the birthing experience
Authenticity - artistically document raw, real, and personal moments
Advocacy - images are powerful, impactful, life-changing; they empower what is possible and demand positive change. Birth representation matters, as does erasure
Intentionality- high quality birthing experiences, photos, edits, and artistry
If this sounds like the vision you have for your birthing experience, let's chat!
I have a natural tendency to hold space for vulnerability, I'm ordained to perform weddings and other celebratory rituals, people often tell me their life stories in checkout lines, and I've heard more than once, "I should send you a check for the therapy!"
Time standing still at the very moment you meet the newest love of your life!
Enable your partner to be fully present at the birth and supporting you.
Birth photography helps you remember the often forgotten moments and to remember the details, as well as to process and encompass your birth story experience.
Receive gorgeous and powerful hand-edited images by a professional.
Capture your strength!
Birth photography is a unique art, as births are unpredictable and can happen at any time! Because of that, I limit the clients I take each month so that I can go on-call (available 24/7) for you from 38 weeks until your baby is born, be with you through your birth, and the golden hour after (~1-2 hours after birth). On-call means that my photography bag and snacks are packed with all my gear and charged batteries, I'm not traveling, childcare is arranged, my phone is on, it may be a holiday, there is no set shooting date or time and no do-overs, and I'm ready to go when you call!
Birth is one of the most challenging environments to photograph. The creative angles needed, knowledge of the birthing process and space, and working in awkward light situations is challenging for photographers in other genres, let alone friends or family. My experience, training, and certification has taken time to learn birth, how to photograph in near dark, awful yellow hospital lighting, and operating rooms. Many birthing people like to labor in the dark and I have special equipment to accommodate low light situations.
As soon as you know that you want a birth photographer and know your estimated delivery date. Due to being on call at 38 weeks, as well as the nature and unexpected timing with childbirth, I only book a limited amount of births each month. So, securing your due date month is essential.
Louisville Homebirth Midwife, Juliet Dietsch
LaLeche League International is a worldwide organization to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
Granny's Birth Initiative seeks to provide support for disenfranchised birthing families, that are often overlooked due to societal shame or lack of acceptance. It is the birthing people that are BIPOC, incarcerated or homeless girls/women, those in foster care or transitioning out are often forgotten about or served with judgment.
Black Birth Justice in Louisville provides care and support to single mothers, helping them with post-partum depression, offering doula care, and providing supplies.
Zora's Cradle provides essential services to expectant mothers through case management, therapeutic services, & childbirth support.
Mama to Mama works to increase social support for all mothers as they make the transition into parenthood by promoting healthy parenting practices in an effort to create healthier and more sustainable communities. Their Community Based Doula program strives to have a helping hand in combating the maternal and infant mortality rate that continues to plague black and brown populations.
Help For Queer and Trans Parents through the Postpartum Support International.
The Queer Doula Network believes that every person capable of gestational experiences should feel respected and heard. The mission of this network is to provide a directory of queer full spectrum providers for queer individuals seeking support during reproductive journeys.
Queer and Trans Postpartum Support Group for if you are 2SLGBTQIA+ and are experiencing mental health challenges during your pregnancy, postpartum, or during your adoption or surrogacy journey, support is available to you and your family.
Intentional Birth Stories is a safe space for ALL types of families and birth stories to be welcomed and supported. LGBTQIA+ friendly and Transgender Safe Space. Black lives matter.
Intentional Birth Stories is a Woman & LGBTQIA+ owned business by a first generation college graduate and daughter of an immigrant.