Dawn Wickhorst is a trusted surrogacy advocate, birth professional, and creative storyteller whose work has touched the lives of countless families on their path to parenthood. A mother of five and a two-time gestational surrogate, Dawn combines lived experience with professional expertise to support intended parents in a way that feels deeply personal, empowering, and real.

 

Her journey into this work began early! Becoming a mother as a teenager shaped her into someone who understands the complexity, resilience, and heart that parenthood demands. That foundation led her to build a career focused on honoring life’s most sacred transitions. As a birth photographer, she founded *My Unique Birth Story*, a business known for its emotionally rich imagery and storytelling. She’s captured hundreds of raw, beautiful moments in labor, delivery, and new life, each one proof of her deep respect for the birth experience.

 

Dawn’s passion for birth extended beyond the lens. As an editor for a birth and fertility magazine, she worked closely with midwives, OBs, doulas, and fertility specialists, gaining an intimate understanding of the emotional and medical landscapes surrounding pregnancy and loss. It was through this work that she began hearing more stories from those struggling to conceive, stories that stayed with her and ultimately inspired her to step into surrogacy.

 

Her first journey as a gestational surrogate was life-changing. She carried and delivered a baby boy for a family she still holds close to her heart. That experience opened the door to advocacy, and Dawn has since used her voice to share what it truly means to be a surrogate! Breaking stigmas, encouraging ethical practices, and uplifting the voices of both surrogates and intended parents. She’s been featured by Canadian Fertility Consulting, spoken at community events, and built a loyal following for her honest, heartfelt reflections on the journey to parenthood.

 

Today, Dawn is the founder of Lumière Surrogacy Advisory, a boutique consulting firm that helps intended parents refine their story and present themselves in a way that feels authentic, compelling, and true to who they are. She focuses on storytelling, branding, and visibility. not matching, because she believes the right connection starts with being seen for who you are.

 

What sets Dawn apart is the way she leads, with empathy, transparency, and a deep understanding of how vulnerable this process can feel. Her work is rooted in a simple but powerful mission: to make sure no intended parent feels alone, unseen, or unsure of how to move forward.

 

Through photography, education, and one-on-one consulting, Dawn continues to create space for families to grow, with confidence, dignity, and heart.