Hey! I'm Leslie Moon.
I'm a birth doula and birth photographer because I believe that birth is one of the most powerful, transformative, and badass experiences you'll ever go through. Society would have you believe it's scary, dangerous, and gross - I am on a mission to prove otherwise. Once you know what I know, you won't see it as anything other than freaking magical.
On a personal note, I am a millennial mama raising two awesome humans (and two very entitled cats). My comfort shows are The Office and The Golden Girls (you'll likely hear me quote them both). I love coffee to the depth of my soul, but my nervous system does not...so I'm the weirdo drinking decaf. Barefoot hikes and yoga are my favorite forms of therapy (along with actual therapy). I'm constantly learning, growing, healing, and reparenting myself. Which is beautiful, hard, and worth every ounce of effort.
As a doula, I offer grounded, no-BS, deeply supportive care. I'll be in your corner with calm energy, words of encouragement, sips of water, hands on comfort when you want it and advocacy when you need it most. I'll always remind you to come back to yourself when things get loud or overwhelming. Because with or without me, you got this.
I value...
Autonomy
I believe you are the ultimate decision-maker in your own experience. You have the right to make choices about your body, your care, and your family based on your own values—not mine or anyone else's. My job is to provide support, information, and encouragement, not direction. I will respect your decisions, honor your boundaries, and support you as you make the choices that feel right for you.
Trust
Trust is the foundation of every healthy relationship. While it's important that you trust your birth team, it's just as important that they trust you. I believe you are the expert on your own body, your baby, and your values. I will trust your experiences, your intuition, your feelings, and your decisions. My role is not to tell you what to do, but to support you in making informed choices that align with your unique needs and goals.
Authenticity
You are safe to show up fully as yourself here. Real connection can't happen when we're wearing masks, shrinking ourselves, or trying to fit someone else's idea of "normal." I believe authenticity creates trust, deeper relationships, and better support. When you show up honestly (with your hopes, fears, questions, and quirks) I can support the real you. I value genuine connection and strive to bring that authenticity into every client relationship.
If I could go back and give my pregnant self a message, I'd tell her...
hire the photographer.
Actually, first I'd tell myself that birth photography is actually a thing! As a semi-professional photographer at the time my last child was born, I legit didn't even have it on my radar. I know I'm not alone.
The number of people who tell me they wish they had photos of their baby's birth is heartbreaking. And I will always regret not having those photos to remember the most meaningful days of my life.
As a doula, birth photography is integral to how I support families. That's why I bring my camera and document every. single. birth. Not just snapshots - artistic, emotion-filled images that illustrate the whole story.
Some families know they want the birth photos. Others aren't so sure. But every family has been grateful to have them when it's all said and done.
Where to next?
Novita Birth Stories is owned by Leslie Moon - a birth photographer, doula, and childbirth educator based in Lincoln, Nebraska.