Meet Ariel Haynes | Birth Doula and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariel Haynes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, when I first started, I didn’t even see it as a business. I had no idea that’s what it would become. I knew I wanted to support pregnant people though. I knew that birth is impactful and I wanted it to have a good imprint on people and I wanted to improve birth for birthing people. Eventually, a business is what that became, but even now it feels too good to be a business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Birth photography is so different from any other photography. There is a huge thrill of capturing the moments a baby comes earthside though. It’s truly an honor to be able to capture it all. I started off as a doula before I became a photographer and when I started photographing births, I had no clue what I was doing. I dove headfirst though and gained as much knowledge as possible as quick as possible. It wasn’t easy, but with the support of other birth photographers around the world it was completely possible. Taking their advice plus learning my own tricks along the way is really what got me here. Community over competition is something I took for granted in the very beginning, but it was something I learned to appreciate and love. I would not have come this far without communities full of unwavering support. My story is one of trials and tribulations, of learning experiences, but also one full of gratitude for everyone who has let me into their lives and supported me in ways I never knew possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a coffee shop fanatic. I think I have tried every locally owned coffee shop in Colorado Springs and they are my favorite spots to go to enjoy food, drinks, and a nice conversation. Besides coffee shops, going for a drive in the mountains gives me such peace when I want to get away from the excitement of the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who I could dedicate a shoutout too, but the person it comes down to the most is my daughter. I had no idea what career path I wanted to be on until she was born and then it clicked like a puzzle piece I was missing. Besides her, I owe a huge thanks to all the birth community that surrounds me and others in Colorado Springs and of course my family, who without their support this path would not be possible for me.

Website: bloomingfootprints.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/bloomingfootprintsbirth

Facebook: Facebook.com/bloomingfootprints