The Heart Behind Brie'Denee

Some people find their calling in an instant. Mine unfolded one birth at a time.

Hi! I'm Brittney, the heart behind Brie'Denee.

My journey into birth work began in 2019 after the birth of my third child. During that pregnancy, I found myself telling my midwife that I knew I wanted to be part of birth someday, but I wasn't interested in becoming a midwife. I loved the idea of supporting families without the medical responsibilities.

She smiled and said, "You should look into becoming a doula."

So I did.

After countless hours of research, I signed up for my first DONA doula training. Just under two months after my son was born, I packed him up and brought him along for the weekend. He may have been the tiniest attendee there, but that training changed the course of my life.

I jumped in feet first and haven't looked back since.

Not long after becoming a doula, I was asked to serve as the backup for another doula who had become sick. Just before I left, she said, "One more thing... they also want birth photography."

There was only one problem.

I didn't own a camera.

She handed me hers, gave me a quick rundown, and sent me on my way.

That birth changed everything.

Somewhere between the quiet anticipation, the steady encouragement, and the moment a new baby took their first breath, I fell in love with birth photography. I came home knowing I wanted to learn everything I could. I bought my first camera, immersed myself in photography, and eventually became a Certified Birth Photographer through Birth Becomes Her. What surprised me most was how naturally birth photography complemented doula work. The same skills that taught me to anticipate labor, read the room, and quietly support families also helped me anticipate the moments that mattered most.

Today, I have the incredible privilege of doing both.

As a birth doula, I support families physically, emotionally, and educationally throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. As a photographer, I preserve the moments that often pass in a blur, creating tangible memories families can return to for years to come.

Some of the most meaningful work I do happens during life's hardest moments.

As a Birth and Bereavement Doula through Stillbirthday, I have the honor of supporting families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. In those moments, photography becomes something entirely different. These images are often the only photographs a family will ever have with their baby. They are irreplaceable memories, created with tenderness, respect, and love. It is one of the greatest honors of my career to provide those families with something they can hold onto forever.

Over the years, my work has continued to grow. In addition to photography and doula support, I teach prenatal yoga, postpartum Pilates, childbirth education, advocacy, and birth preparation classes because I believe confidence begins long before labor starts.

Whether I'm behind the camera, beside a birth bed, or leading a class, my purpose is always the same.

To help families feel supported.

To help them feel confident.

To remind them they don't have to do this alone.

Because it truly takes a village.

I created The Village to be exactly that. A place where families can gather, learn, ask questions, celebrate milestones, grieve losses, build confidence, and find community from pregnancy through parenthood. My hope is that every family who walks through my doors leaves knowing they have someone in their corner.

When I'm not working, you'll usually find me with my husband of 18 years, our four amazing kids, a bowl of popcorn that absolutely deserves its own food group, and probably a camera within arm's reach.

Life isn't perfect.

It's messy.

Beautiful.

Unexpected.

Those are the moments worth remembering.

And I'd be honored to walk through them with you.

brittney Brownell

Birth Doula, Photographer, Yoga Instructor

Brie'Denee