SELF STUDY is OPEN!

When you sign up for Essence of Birth You receive access to the course for a LIFETIME! Come back and refresh any time. Self Study is open now, join monthly continued education calls and attend the next cohort live!

  • Monthly Continued Education

  • Photograph Your First Birth Toolkit

  • Birth Becomes You Certification

  • Map Listing and Warm Leads

Watch Intro Video

THE ESSENCE OF BIRTH EXPERIENCE

Self Study is Open!

Join us for the next round of live calls in 2026, but get all the content NOW! Plus, you'll automatically be signed up for our monthly continuing education calls.

The Essence of Birth Course is the most comprehensive, inclusive, and respected online course ever made for birth photographers. If you are ready to invest in yourself and in your business, scroll down to learn more and to grab your seat for the Essence of Birth! Don't forget, the course content is available for LIFE! Come back and re-visit it ANY TIME!
Join us for the Self Study

COURSE CURRICULUM

    1. Intro from Jenn and Monet

    2. IMPORTANT STUFF - Course Downloads and Freebies

    3. Share Your Journey with Your Local Community

    1. March 6th Call Recording

    2. March 12th Call Recording

    3. March 20th Call Recording

    4. March 27th Call Recording

    1. Objective

    2. Jenn's Why

    3. Monet's Why

    4. What Birth Photography Means to the Families We Serve

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. What Birth Photography Means to the Larger World

    6. Your "Why" and Connecting it to Your Marketing

    7. Essence Journal - Entry 1

    1. Objective

    2. Camera Basics

    3. Gear

    4. Recommended Gear List PDF Download

    5. Recommended Gear List (Same as PDF)

    6. Mirrorless vs. DSLR

    7. Mirrorless Camera Video

    8. Camera Settings - Labor

    9. Camera Settings - Birth

    10. Camera Settings - Postpartum

    11. White Balance, When to use Auto, When to use Kelvin

    12. Focus Video

    13. Focus

    14. Birth Photography Camera Settings Cheat Sheet

    15. Camera Gear and Camera Settings

    16. Essence Journal - Entry 2

    1. Objective

    2. Photographing at High ISO

    3. Black Foamie Thing Video

    4. Flash Info

    5. Essence Journal - Entry 3

    1. Objective

    2. Storytelling Basics

    3. Style

    4. Birth Slideshow

    5. Essence Journal - Entry 4

About this course

  • $1,297.00
  • 117 lessons
  • 6.5 hours of video content

Enrollment is OPEN for the SELF STUDY!

We offer payment plans...as well as the tools you need to earn back your investment (with a fully priced booked birth!) We have a limited number of seats and we always sell out. The course content is available for LIFE, so you can come back and re-visit it ANY time! It's not only a course, but it's a community and content for LIFE.

TESTIMONIALS

My Confidence GREW!

"Prior to the BBY course I was insecure in regards to my business and willing to do just about anything to get clients, including offering sessions at embarrassingly low prices. After the BBY course I have more confidence and can’t wait to put into practice what I learned. I look forward to seeing my business grow as result of such an amazing experience."

Totally Amazing!

"You are all so AMAZING and I am SO glad I decided to invest in myself and my business! I feel like I have made great connections and have an excellent starting point for my business. I also feel like I gained more insight and valuable information to help support future clients in this amazing time of their lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

I AM DOING THIS!

“I was feeling isolated before the course but I don’t feel that way anymore. Before I would have been afraid to ask many questions, now I am no longer afraid ~ so get ready they will be coming your way! I was terribly naïve about birth photography before the workshop but I went from “maybe I can’t do this, to I think I can do this, to I AM DOING THIS!” You ladies are amazing and I am forever grateful to your kindness and your friendship...thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

My Business TOOK OFF!

Not only was it amazing to learn from Jenn and Monet, but my business took off when they featured my work as a certified BBY photographer.

Found my Community!

When I started this work, I felt very alone in my journey. No-one else here does birth photography. But after taking Essence of Birth and being part of the BBY community, I met so many people, near and far. I don't feel alone anymore. This is a great community of birth workers!

ALSO INCLUDED

In addition to unlimited access to our incredible course content, you will also receive:

  • STARTER BUNDLE

    You will receive a bundle of items to start your birth business out right. A contract, the Photograph Your First Birth Toolkit, and Presets

  • CERTIFICATION + MAP LSTING

    Upon completion of the course, you will be a BBY Certified Birth Photographer, and honor we reserve for those that as a result of their education and passion truly make a difference in their birth community. Additionally, you will be added to our worldwide photographers Map where warm leads can search and see that you are certified with us.

  • Monthly Continuing Education Calls

    Each month, we have continuing education calls that every Essence of Birth student can join! These calls are every month for the foreseeable future and cover the topics that the community requests!

The Best Time to Learn is NOW!

Join us from the comfort of your home. Start today, study at your own pace!

Ourself study includes direct access to the instructors through email, ask questions, seek guidance, and learn. We also have monthly continuing education calls. This means that you have the ability to take the course safely at home, but still have the opportunity to collaborate and build community with others. The zoom calls are RECORDED, so you can come back to them at any time, and if you miss one, don't worry! You can watch them all.

Hear From Some Of Our Former Students

Bookmark this page!

We do sell out each time we run this course. Reach out if you have questions about the course at [email protected] *If you are from Canada, Australia, New Zealand - we have a coupon code for you to help you offset the exchange rate. Contact us at email above.

SHOOT YOUR FIRST BIRTH TOOLKIT

INCLUDED

BONUS! We are including our $97 'Shoot Your First Birth' toolkit. Even if you've already photographed a birth, this toolkit is packed with valuable information, including: Etiquette, Camera Settings, Birth 101, Shot List Editing Tips Social Media and MORE!

FAQ

  • Refund Policy

    Because course material is available immediately, we do not offer full refunds. If you are not able to take the course you can transfer to a later cohort or receive a 50% refund. We are a small Woman Owned Business and this policy ensures that we can pay our employees and instructors.

  • Sliding Scale Options

    We do offer a sliding scale for folks with food and housing insecurity. Please email us at [email protected] for more info.

  • Will we be meeting in person?

    We will not be meeting in person. This course is offered LIVE online so that you can work safely and comfortably from your own home. We do have four fun and engaging zoom meetings where you can meet instructors, ask questions and get feedback.

  • How long does the course take?

    We offer two new lessons each week. Expect to invest 2-3 hours per week into learning and additional time as desired into practice, implementation, networking, and chatting with us. The course runs for approximately 6 weeks, but if you don't finish in that time it's ok! You have LIFETIME access to the course material and will be able to revisit lessons and take as much time as you need.

  • What is a Certified Birth Photographer?

    By taking the course and completing it, you will become a BBY Certified Birth Photographer (BBCBP). By becoming Certified, you will set yourself apart as a trustworthy and knowledgeable professional. Our Certified Birth Photographers enjoy numerous benefits including access to a private, members-only group, a Certified listing on our world-wide photographers map, warm leads from our ‘Find a Photographer’ website form, and priority mentions on our blog, social media, and in our newsletter. You can read more about certification and what it includes here: https://birthbecomesyou.com/essence-of-birth-online-course

  • How Much Does this Course Cost?

    $1297 or we have several payment plan options.

  • How Long is the Course Content Available

    The course content is available for LIFE! This is a course that you can come back to, revisit, re-learn, and you don't have to worry about soaking it all in at once. We are HERE for you!

CERTIFIED BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER

Included with your enrollment

When you complete our Essence of Birth course, you'll become a BBY Certified Birth Photographer. This professional designation is highly respected in the birth world and will help you grow your business, develop your professional reputation, and foster trust with birthing families.