ABOUT TERRI
St. Louis
Photographer & Doula
The person behind the camera—and the steady presence beside you.
MEET TERRI
I’ve always been drawn to the moments that matter.
For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing families through some of the biggest—and smallest—moments of their lives.
But long before I became a doula, I was also a social worker. For 25 years, I worked alongside children and families, including 15 years as a trauma social worker in children’s hospitals. That work taught me how to sit with people in the hard moments, how to listen without judgment, and how powerful it can be to simply have someone steady beside you.
Eventually, those two parts of my life found their way together.
Photography taught me to notice the moments people don't realize they'll miss.
Social work taught me how to care for the person living them.
And birth work gave me a place to do both.
Today, I get to tell your story—and sometimes, I get to walk beside you while it’s being written.
A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME
When I’m not holding a camera or a peanut ball…
I’m a wife, mom of three, animal lover, flower grower, and collector of entirely too many plants. I’m happiest when life is a little messy, people are laughing, and there’s probably a dog somewhere nearby.
When I’m not photographing a family or supporting a birth, you might find me watching my daughter ride horses or play volleyball, working in my wildflower field, rearranging something in my greenhouse studio, hanging out with my family—or convincing myself that I definitely have room for one more plant.
Wife and mom of three
When not working I am usually cheering my daughter on from the side of a horse arena or volleyball court
Animal lover — dogs, horses, basically anything with four legs
Slightly obsessed with flowers, plants, veggies and my wildflower field
Owner of a cozy little greenhouse studio in Cedar Hill
Coffee is almost always involved
Happiest outside, barefoot, with my family or working on some new project
Big believer that pets belong in family photos
Sentimental to my core — which probably explains why I became a photographer
Firmly convinced the ordinary moments usually become the ones we miss the most
Basically, I’m a big believer that the ordinary stuff usually turns out to be the really important stuff.
WHY I DO THIS
Because photographs are more than photographs. And support is more than showing up.
I’ve spent a lot of my life being invited into moments that matter.
Sometimes that looks like photographing a family laughing together in a field. Sometimes it’s sitting quietly beside a laboring mom in the middle of the night. Sometimes it’s documenting a brand-new baby tucked against their parent’s chest.
They may seem like very different things, but to me, they’re really not.
They’re all about people. Connection. Trust. Feeling seen. And preserving the pieces of life that move far too quickly.
Whether I’m holding my camera, holding space, or doing a little bit of both, I want you to feel comfortable being exactly who you are.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME
A little direction. A lot of heart. And absolutely no pressure to be perfect.
Gentle direction so you never have to wonder what to do
A calm, steady presence when things feel overwhelming
Space for kids to be kids, babies to be babies, and families to be themselves
Respect for your choices, your boundaries and your story
Plenty of patience—and usually a little humor
A trauma-informed approach rooted in consent and trust
Photographs that feel like your life, not a performance of it
Someone who genuinely cares about the people on the other side of the camera
Come as you are.
Really.
Whether you invite me into an ordinary Tuesday with your family or one of the biggest days of your life, I don’t take that trust lightly.
LET’S TELL YOUR STORY
If you think we might be a good fit, I’d love to hear your story.
Body:
Whether you’re expecting a baby, welcoming one into the world, celebrating your senior, or simply realizing it’s been far too long since your family was photographed—I’d love to hear what brought you here.
You don’t need to know exactly what you want yet.
Just tell me a little about you, and we’ll figure out the rest together.