Our Story

Built on love. Crafted by hand. Sustained by community.

In 2011, D&J began as our love story. Later, difficult circumstances placed us far apart. Don told me, “People say that if you keep busy with work, your heart will miss me a little less.” So I started learning to hand-knit and crochet. A few months later, a friend who worked at a photo studio asked if I could make props for newborn sessions—and our path became clear.

Roots in Xuzhou, Jiangsu

Though we operate from Shanghai, my hometown is a village in Xuzhou. Many men work away in big cities, while women carry most caregiving at home. We keep the work close to home through a small family-run workshop and flexible, piece-rate crochet—so caregivers can stay with family and still earn.

What we chose from day one
We keep as much as we can handmade. It’s slower and costs more, and it keeps the warmth, texture, and human touch we care about—while keeping paid work close to home for caregivers in Xuzhou.

What we make & why it matters
Maternity and newborn photos become part of a family’s story. They hold the quiet bravery of pregnancy and the first, just-born moments of a child’s life. For moms, these images say: you are seen, valued, and held. For families, they’re keepsakes that help love travel across time.

A circle of care
We believe in community built on trust, kept alive by connection, and made practical through support—between makers, photographers, and families. We also offer a Pay-What-You-Can initiative. Choose what fits today; your choice honors your needs now and makes space for others—keeping this circle of care moving.