Melanie Pace and Kelly Smith of Beautiful Beginnings Birth Photography
How did you start your business?
The two of us both have our own separate portrait and wedding business. We were photography friends and also did some leisure activities together. We found it quite easy to team up and start this new venture separate from our other businesses.
How did you come up the idea for your business?
We have always discussed birth and the natural world since we have both had natural deliveries. We also go to the same yoga class where everyone there is very passionate about empowering women, all things pregnancy and baby, and the natural world. Once we discussed how more and more friends were asking us to shoot births, we thought we could start offering birth photography to other clients if we served as each others back ups. It was perfect.
What resources here did you take advantage of and how did they help?
Neither of us have ever needed to advertise since the west side of Cincinnati is awesome and everyone knows each other. Word spread quickly through Facebook, friends and even our own OB/GYN’s office. Before we knew it, we were hitting our maximum births per month with ease.
What inspires you?
People do, but especially women. We love to witness any kind of birth, but there is nothing quite like documenting a mama pushing through and delivering a baby naturally. The strength, vulnerability and power a woman shows during labor and delivery is simply beautiful.
What’s next for you and your company?
We both hope to take on more births than weddings in the future. Right now, we take up to five births a month which is a lot on top of weddings and other sessions throughout the week. Ideally, we hope to find a nice balance between both of our businesses and our growing families
Interview by Robin Donovan