The moments before, during, and after birth all come with a lot of uncertainty. Deciding who is allowed in your orbit during these times is a deeply personal and trusting choice. 

Driven by an intense desire to protect people in these vulnerable moments, Mel Swanson pursued a career as a doula and birth photographer. She had learned what goes on behind the scenes and felt compelled to follow a path where she could provide a much-needed, calm support system.

Having previously heard horror stories from families navigating the healthcare system, it’s easy for me to see why her services are so necessary. The presence of a grounded, reliable, and trusted person can make a world of difference during such an emotionally intense, intimate life experience. 

To better understand how Swanson balances the two intimate roles of doula and photographer, I asked her some questions about her business, Sommessa. Here’s what she said:

SSB: Can you tell me the abridged version of your origin story? How did Sommessa come to be?

MS: Back around 2013, my then-husband and I were talking about growing our family. I tend to over-research, and I ended up going down a rabbit hole learning about birth and everything that comes along with it. Like many future birth workers, watching the documentary “The Business of Being Born” was eye-opening, and I felt a feminine rage grow within me and a desire to protect all birthing people during and after childbirth. I wanted to find a way to get involved and potentially support doulas and midwives, whose presence has been proven to improve birth outcomes. Soon after, I was lucky enough to find a job at a local nonprofit midwifery college in Portland as their Operations Coordinator. As I became more familiar with that world and the college’s curriculum, I decided to take both the birth and postpartum doula trainings offered by the college.

During this same period, I purchased a Canon EOS 70D and was mostly taking candid photos of friends and family. The college needed better photos for their website, and I was tasked with the job. Some of the students saw me with my camera and asked if I could take their headshots. Soon after, they began asking me to document prenatal appointments and, eventually, births so they had materials for their budding businesses. I would gift the birth photos to the families I documented, and what came next was a surprise. Several families asked if they could pay me to photograph their newborns and families in the weeks following the birth. I couldn't find a reason to say no, and so began my journey as a photographer.

The name Sommessa came from my desire not to use my personal name or anything too "kitschy" for the business. It translates to quiet, soft, and humble, which are the qualities in how I approach this work.

SSB: Can you explain how your work as a photographer and as a doula intersect with each other, and how each offering has informed your approach to the other?

MS: They intersect in a lot of ways! I often cross over with services for my clients by offering both photography and doula support to the same family. Being able to connect with a family in both roles helps grow trust and deepen that connection.

My ability to soothe an infant plays a major role in both my photographer and doula roles, as that is generally the main goal of both. I have heard many clients ask, "You're not scared of them, are you?" as I show them an effective swaddling technique or burping position, or when I'm carefully adjusting their sleeping baby's position in the studio to capture those tiny details just right.

You may find me helping a birthing person process their birth story during a photoshoot, changing diapers, bottle feeding, or simply making sure families are off their feet and resting as much as possible.

The information families learn to survive the postpartum period is often short-lived. As their baby grows, they learn new things, and the newborn days quickly become a distant blur. I live in postpartum families' newborn chapter, so I am constantly learning and honing my skills, discovering and applying what works best for each baby and family.

SSB: How did you first go about finding clients for both of your offerings? How has that approach changed over the years?

MS: Most of my work has been referral-based. There are so many local parent and baby groups online, and I've been lucky to have clients who are willing to share my information with those looking for a doula or photographer. I have also become a doula to my photography clients and have become a photographer to my doula clients! 

Over the years, I've also continued to gift headshot sessions to birth professionals as a way to network and grow my community.

SSB: How do you balance the unpredictable nature of birth with running a business and having a personal life?

MS: Living a somewhat on-call lifestyle can be taxing, but the anticipation of hearing the news of a baby's arrival is something I truly cherish. I'm often one of the first people to be notified that a person is in labor or that a new human has been born, and it is such an honor.

SSB: How has operating in Seattle shaped your business? Are there any unique aspects to operating here that you might not get in other cities?

MS: Finding an affordable studio in Seattle was a big challenge. It took me almost a year to find my space! Because of that, I've been primarily focused on postpartum doula work here. I still drive back to Portland each month, where I've kept my studio, to photograph new and returning clients. It has been a lot of work balancing two cities, and I'm excited to offer more photography in Seattle now.

One thing I'll need to research more is outdoor locations in the Seattle area for nature photoshoots. With more traffic than Portland, planning sunset sessions will be a bit of a learning curve. The traffic, in general, has been a big adjustment after coming from a much smaller city!

SSB: Having started your business in Portland and now living in Seattle, have you noticed any differences between how the industries operate in the two cities/states?

MS: Yes! Seattle has been much more supportive and community-oriented. There are very active Facebook groups for both photographers and birth professionals where people regularly share client referrals, advice, and even photoshoot locations (which usually are top-secret!).

Coming from Portland, where competition often seemed to be prioritized over community, it has been really refreshing to see professionals in Seattle genuinely lifting each other up and supporting one another.

SSB: Both your photography offerings and doula services tap into a vulnerable part of humanity. How do you build trust in these intimate settings?

MS: I feel that trust is built by being present and sitting with families in the reality of the discomfort that this chapter can hold. Birth and postpartum are messy (literally!) and parents are often used to surface-level, and even dismissive, conversations surrounding those experiences. I make an effort to see people exactly where they are at and validate everything they are experiencing.

SSB: Given your work isn’t always regularly scheduled, what does a typical week look like for you? How do you maintain balance between the two services?

MS: Over the years, I've had my fair share of burnout, which has exacerbated some chronic health conditions I've always struggled with. Setting firm boundaries and clear expectations with clients has helped me balance my photography and doula work alongside my personal life. I also retired from birth doula work after the pandemic to focus more on my health, although I still offer birth photography!

I generally only offer three to four overnight postpartum shifts each week and one photoshoot. I take my time with photo editing and can get stressed when I have a large backlog. During the warm summer months, I prioritize outdoor family photoshoots for my repeat clients and often take a month or two off from doula work.

On my days off, I sleep in to catch up on rest and stay active by hiking and lifting weights.

SSB: You’re around for very specific, intimate moments with families. How have these moments shaped your worldview?

MS: Supporting and witnessing moments that can’t be repeated has helped me become more present in my day-to-day life. Being invited into such vulnerable chapters of people’s lives is a reminder of how much trust and connection matter. I’ve witnessed so much strength, love, uncertainty, and transformation, and it has changed the way I see people and the experiences they carry.

To work in this field, I’ve also had to focus on my own healing and nervous system so I can show up as a grounded human in these spaces. This isn’t a field where you can sustainably mask your way through. Families are inviting you into some of their most raw and honest moments, and they deserve someone who can be fully present with them. This work has taught me that being supportive doesn’t mean having all the answers. Sometimes it means creating enough safety for people to feel seen, heard, and held exactly where they are.

SSB: What’s the best way for people to get in touch to work with you?

MS: My website is the best place to connect! www.sommessa.com