Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Bimber.
Nicole, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I fell in love with my first experience in childbirth at the young age of 21, when I birthed my first son. I had him unmedicated and vaginal in the hospital with the support of my doula, husband, and my own mother who spent those 14 hours hiding her own tears in fear that I would kick her out of the room if I saw her breaking down in front of me.
I knew I wanted to impact women positively in their childrearing and birth experiences, similar to how I was supported in that space. I knew I wanted to become a doula moments after he was born…but, I didn’t. Life went on, and training for the career I would only fall more in love with as time went on was put off year after year. Nearly two years following that birth of my first son, I picked up my first professional camera. Roughly six months after that, I attended my first home birth to photograph it with the skills I had spent an unmeasurable amount of time fostering and absorbing. I bawled my eyes out that morning, after being awake all night not wanting to miss a thing (I don’t recommend this, hah, SLEEP when you can if you are a birth worker! Can I get an amen?). I fell in love with birth work that crisp early morning as the sun rose and that momma brought her second beautiful daughter into the world into loving and relieved hands.
Today, a little over three years later, I am an established and professional birth photographer and videographer currently in the process of certifying as a Dynamo Doula under the incomparable guidance and mentorship of Angela Gallo. Helping women find their inner confidence, tap into their intuition and TRUST their instincts is something I am grateful to call my passion and purpose on this planet. Being able to document it professionally is the icing on the cake.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Is life ever a smooth road? Perhaps for some people it is, that was certainly not the case for me as a young mom without a strong tribe of mommas or my family nearby. My husband, Craig, and I had just moved eight hours away from everyone we knew and loved when I was seven months pregnant with our first baby. I suffered postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety (PPA) with my first, but it was much worse with our second son when I was smack dab in the middle of the beginning stages of my business. I had to step back, I gave it up completely at one point about six months after his birth. He was our rainbow baby (a term used to describe a baby born after a loss, we experienced a miscarriage between our boys). When you’re not supported with what you need at such an impressionable time, it becomes suffocating just to breathe.
I have an immense amount of advice I would encourage other women with, and most certainly particularly young women who are just starting their journey as a woman in today’s culture. The main things boil down to this, though:
What you want matters. What you want out of pregnancy, motherhood, sex, marriage, relationships, LIFE… it MATTERS.
Our culture conditions us to go with the flow of life, to do what everyone else is doing because, “Well, that’s easier than going against the grain,” and, “If she was fine in these circumstances, I will be too. Right?” Where did we learn our definition of fine, and when did it start being enough for us? The truth is, “fine” is not enough and never was. “Fine” is what is resulting in horrifying maternal mortality rates in our country (and especially in Texas). “Fine” is what is causing PPD and PPA to run rampant on mothers everywhere. “Fine” is not something I accept, nor stand for. A healthy baby and mother shouldn’t be where our standards end and begin, it’s not enough. You are able to thrive in motherhood, not merely survive… and I am here to support you and show you exactly how to do that.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a birth and motherhood photographer and videographer, and an emerging doula. To my core, I am a passionate creative with strong beliefs and morals. I am open about my beliefs, and inspire other women and families to step into their best selves with support and love.
I am very proud of the unique services I provide mothers and families with. My offering is unlike anything our culture has ever seen. I get down to the hard, grittiness of every possibility that can hit a mother during pregnancy, birth and postpartum and I set women up to THRIVE through that experience, rather than merely survive.
I am a rare bird, and I am certainly not for everyone. I am crazy about the clients that hire me to do what I do best, and they truly flourish throughout their parenting journeys.
I said it previously, but I’ll say it again. “Healthy baby, healthy mother,” is NOT my standard. “Thriving baby, thriving mother,” is my expectation.
It starts with birth. It starts with you and me.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
YES, mentorship can be SO beneficial! I have been blessed with numerous photographers, doulas, midwives, and other professionals who have poured into my life and business over the course of the last nearly four years. Without them, I would still be struggling at square one. Find someone you admire in your industry, and invest ($$$) in a relationship with them and allow them to fill your cup up to avoid burning out with mistake after mistake. It certainly won’t prevent mistake making, but you’ll make a lot LESS of them by having that person to guide you.
As far as networking goes, I have been connecting with other local motherhood related businesses by conducting a blog series called “Inspirational Interviews” which include a complimentary headshot session with me, and a featured blog post on my website to share their personal journey. It has been a blast to get to know local businesses since moving to Houston, and I am so grateful for the wonderful souls I have met through the series! Connecting with people in a genuine way is really something special, it always will be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://charlotte-nicole.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecharlottenicole/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecharlottenicole/
Image Credit:
Charlotte Nicole
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