Love Alda

Love Alda Photography

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It Takes a Compassionate Village to Birth a Child

It Takes a Compassionate Village to Birth a Child

I often write and consult on the importance of understanding the different role players in birth and choosing your birth team wisely. However, a talk by Margaret Hefferman, has blown the concept into a new orbit of importance for me.

Hefferman discussed an experiment on productivity by a biologist called William Muir. The experiment, in which a group of so-called ‘average’ chickens were pitched…

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Finally - A Practical and Pretty Home Grown Baby Bag!

Finally – A Practical and Pretty Home Grown Baby Bag!

  I met Danica and Ryno a year ago for their winter maternity shoot.  We had so much fun despite Danica initially only doing the maternity shoot because Ryno wanted one! From the get-go I knew that their little Dawid was going to be only lucky and happy baby. Shortly after I capture the birth of their beautiful baby boy at Mediclinic Paarl.  Even though Danica lives in Hermanus we have been…

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My Birth Worker Prayer This is my birth worker prayer: that we will love, support, advise, educate and serve, but that we will never lose our sense of wonder and respect for the miracle & mystery that is birth.

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Love Alda and Carmien Collaborates on Cup of Comfort for Mother

Love Alda and Carmien Collaborates on Cup of Comfort for Mother

Take one birth photographer & mentor who herself suffered through draining nausea and heartburn during all three her pregnancies, a client of hers who also happens to be a brand custodian at Carmien Rooibos Tea,  a friendship and the brewing and simmering of some mamma inspired ideas and you are bound to end up with something really special.

I’m so proud to be launching the NEW Carmien Mamma Tea…

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Remember to be clear and confident in your what you should and can expect for your birth.  Come on over and see http://www.aldasmith.com/freecourse

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Alda Smith, birth photographer, birth mentor, mother of three, Carmien Birth Professional of Choice and communication specialist has created a short (and free) video series titled AT THE HEART OF BIRTH.

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The Perfect Birth is a Myth - Sorry to Burst Your Bubble

The Perfect Birth is a Myth – Sorry to Burst Your Bubble

As mother of three, birth photographer and mentor I have seen pretty much all kinds of births – hospital and home births, water births and induced births, natural births and c-sections – and although I’m absolutely in favour of a natural birth with minimal interventions where at all possible, I can categorically say that in my opinion the perfect birth does not exist.

I’m sorry to burst your…

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At The Heart of Birth Antenatal Online Course: Three FREE Videos

At The Heart of Birth Antenatal Online Course: Three FREE Videos

Why do some mothers have wonderfully positive and empowering births whilst others feel disappointed, confused and even bereft? Why does there seem to be so many don’ts and not enough do’s when it comes to optimising birth for me and my baby?  Why do I feel so confused, in the dark and even pressured instead of clear and confident about my birth choices?  

The reality is that every woman deserves…

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Your Birth - Your Space

Your Birth – Your Space

It’s strange.  When we get married we often obsess about the venue details.  What it must look like. The atmosphere.  Our children’s birthday parties?  Where it is and how it looks are important to us – well at least if you are a Pintrest Mom that is *wink*.  Why does so little though go into our birth environments – the space in which a new life will begin and where we will be stepping into…

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Baby Bump Milestone Fun & Freebies

Baby Bump Milestone Fun & Freebies

I loved reading weekly updates on my baby’s development when I was pregnant.  The most amazing fact to me was that my baby had a heartbeat when only the size of a pomegranate seed. Wow! Baby having a ‘tail’ also freaked me out slightly and I sort of looked forward to week 8 for this reason!  Week 12 was the ultimate milestone for me with all three of my pregnancies as this was usually when my…

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Free Love Alda Monthly Onesie Stickers

Free Love Alda Monthly Onesie Stickers

Capturing the birth of a baby for parents is more than a profession for me.  As a mother of three it truly means something to me.  Making life-long friends is often a perk to what I do & seeing babies’ whose birth I captured reach their milestones (and sometimes even photographing those milestones) gives me so much joy.  The photo of Su-Aletwas taken shorthly before her first birthday just as…

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NEWORN PHOTO SHOOT SESSION 101

NEWORN PHOTO SHOOT SESSION 101

Newborns change so much and so fast in the first couple of weeks after birth.  As parents we want to capture our babies’ delicate features as they unfold like flower petals in front of our eyes so that we can treasure this incredible time forever.

By the same token, the first couple of weeks of life with a newborn can be a mixed bag of recovery, discovery, adaptation and wonder and braving a…

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BIRTH COMPANIONS 101

You might know this, by now, but I was born in a nunnery.  My father was not allowed in the room and my poor mom had to labour for hours without a birth companion.  A positive birth experience for my mother?  I think not.

What is a birth companion or birth partner?  In short it is someone that gives you physical, emotional and practical support when delivering your baby (via c-section or…

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The Contribution of Birth Partners in Your Birth Space and How to Choose Them

The Contribution of Birth Partners in Your Birth Space and How to Choose Them

I was born in a nunnery.  My father was not allowed in the room and my poor mom had to labour for hours without a birth companion.  A positive birth experience for my mother? I would think not, but I’m not sure – it depends on whether my father would have made a good supporting birth companion if he was allowed in!

What is a birth companion or birth partner?  In short it is someone that gives you…

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Enjoy a Maternal Cup of Comfort with Love Alda

Enjoy a Maternal Cup of Comfort with Love Alda

As a mother of three myself and a birth photographer and mentor, I would like nothing more than to provide you with support and empathy during your maternal journey. To do that I would like to gain an even better understanding of your needs.  Please help me develop your ideal maternal cup of comfort by completing the survey below. You do not have to be a current Love Alda client to participate.…

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It’s Your Birth. Plan for it - and then be Flexible

It’s Your Birth. Plan for it – and then be Flexible

I didn’t have a birth plan with the birth of my first child.  I just assumed things would happen more or less like I wanted them to.  There were two problems with this approach: 1) birth is unpredictable 2) I only realized what I could have had and wanted, after the fact.

Birth is one of the most important events in a parent’s life and yet very few of us prepare for the experience itself. Why is…

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Nikon SA Backs Birth Photographer Love Alda

Nikon SA Backs Birth Photographer Love Alda

Nikon, one of the largest and most respected photography brands in the world, is known for its investment in and support of professional, passionate and dedicated artists and storytellers.  The brand is committed to empower and educate and is well represented by world-class photographers, who inspire a new generation of artists across various genres. In view of the above, Nikon South Africa’s…

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