We were lucky to catch up with Tiarra Doherty recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tiarra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

It all started in 2010, I wanted a giant tattoo of an animal on my arm. Once I read the symbolism behind the wolf I scheduled my tattoo appointment the very next day. Three wolves are tattooed on my arm and they symbolize: strong connection with your instincts or intuition, strong family ties, loyalty, good communication, education, understanding, and intelligence. My own mother left me when I was just 8 years old but before that she was not a good mother anyway. Everything the wolf symbolized I aspired to be. Over the years I learned more about wolves. Like humans, the wolf mother begins preparing for her young long before they arrive. She may choose another female wolf to help assist her with her pups the first few weeks but in time, the entire pack will support and nurture the puppies. I also read this in an article a few years ago that as the pups are born, the mother chews off the umbilical cord and licks each pup clean. After all of the pups are born, the wolf mother eats the placenta. This demonstration should be a good reminder to humans that their bodies naturally know what to do when giving birth. The wolf mother is extremely intuitive when it comes to raising her pups. She knows their needs and follows her instincts to provide. The wolf mother is also protective of her young, keeping them in the den until the pups are capable to survive outside of the den. The mother is also extremely unselfish shown by her willingness to remain in the den herself to provide for her young. When I started dreaming of my business in late 2016 the name Mother Wolf jumped out at me right away. 𝐈𝐭 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞- 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐟 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. We can all learn a little something from wolves!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Tiarra with Mother Wolf Birth Photography. I live in Tacoma with my husband and 3 wild, adventurous little boys. You can catch me drinking coffee at 5am while my kids run around the house, adventuring outside rain, storm or shine (because 3 kids), reading a good self-help book, hiking up trails or mountain biking.

I first fell in love with birth after my first son was born in 2016. Growing up, I was taught birth was scary, gross and everyone HAD to give birth a certain way. So, when I was pregnant with my first, that was all I knew until about halfway through my pregnancy. I realized I had a voice, choice and options so, I switched my care at 34 weeks pregnant and had my babies where I felt most comfortable. With my first that was a free standing birth center and with my other two babies that was home.

My experience changed my life so much I became a Doula just a few months after my son was born. In 2017, I started an apprenticeship with two local doulas, Yema Mamas, and this is where I supported families through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. I started to bring my camera along to births and fell in love with documenting families stories. I loved that I could create this beautiful art with something so many people feared. I eventually switched from a doula role to being a full time birth photographer. My passion is to educate others and normalize birth through my work.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My hope with birth photography is that birth will be viewed as normal + powerful no matter how or where someone has their baby-instead of something to fear. This powerful and transformative moment deserves to be documented!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a birth photographer is all the families I meet. I care so deeply about each and every family who invite me to be a part of such a sacred moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.motherwolfbirthphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motherwolf.birthphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherwolf.birthphotography/

Image Credits
Photo of me holding my camera outside- Carly Jayne Photography. ALL OTHER PHOTOS ARE BY MOTHER WOLF BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY.