TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF

Hello! I'm Joyhannah (more commonly known as Joy), a birth photographer, videographer, and doula. I am a wife to my high school sweetheart and a mom to two kiddos—Willow and River. I originally started birth work in 2017 for military families in Southern California. I moved to San Antonio in 2020 with my husband while expecting our first baby. Shortly after, my parents bought the house next door, we ripped down the fence, and created our own beautiful little compound in this amazing city! When I am not at a birth, you will find me DEEPLY enthralled in whatever ADHD hyperfixation I have at the time. I am a painter, muralist, gardener, creator, singer, and most importantly, deeply committed to living out my faith.

HOW DID YOU COME TO DOULA WORK?

I come from a long line of OBGYNs and maternal care professionals, so birth has surrounded me for as long as I can remember. Since I was a little girl, I heard about the wonders of labor and delivery and knew it was something sacred and beautiful. As an artist, I weaseled my way into the birth space as a birth photographer at the ripe age of 18. My love for birth developed and I took up videography down the line, but still yearned for more. After becoming an award-winning birth photographer, birth photography judge, and filmmaker, I felt a calling forward. A calling that not only tells your story, but to hold you through it. Growing up overseas in Thailand and Malawi, I witnessed a different take on maternal care. One that was surrounded by sisters, prayer, and peace. I seek to bring that kind of care to the labor and postpartum space, to mother the mothers, and to ease the transition from womb to world.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST OR FIND MOST REWARDING ABOUT DOULA WORK?

The most rewarding thing about doula work is that I am living out my calling. Years ago, someone spoke over me that I would be a mother to mothers. In my mind, I said, "No no no, I PHOTOGRAPH mothers."

Of course, little by little, I found myself advocating, supporting, and loving mothers through labor. One day, I took a inward look at the path I was finding myself on and decided to take a leap of faith. The blessing that has come from walking with women in this space has shaped me in ways I cannot even describe. Whether it was my firstborn at a birth center or my second born at home, I met a new version of myself through labor. I not only gave birth to my beautiful daughter and son, but also gave birth to a new understanding of the world. Those moments are something I will never take for granted. To watch mothers come into this new world, to transition and evolve. That is sacred work. I am beyond blessed to have this opportunity as my calling.

what are your specialties or areas of particular passion?

I am trained as a birth, postpartum, and bereavement doula. I have a deep passion for walking with mothers who have experienced loss and mothers who are open to prayer and worship in their birth space. I understand that pregnancy, birth, and postpartum can sometimes seem daunting. I love to tackle these barriers and misconceptions through education and advocacy for families. My specialty lies in my experience in the birth space through the many births I have been blessed to be a part of. I have seen so many variations of labor and delivery, and they all truly deserve a trophy! I am also devoted to documenting your journey through photography and videography so that you can witness your beauty and strength through a new lens. No matter how your baby arrives, I hope you never forget the strength, courage, and love you brought into this journey. It is always my honor to witness your birth story and hold you through it all.