I’ve decided to share with you all the first birth session I ever witnessed/photographed. Every time I look through the pictures I am reminded of that desire I had to fully become a motherhood photographer. I used to think, “if only someone would let me come in the delivery room with them to capture the welcoming of their baby”. Years later, here I am, not only have I been working as a birth photographer but with babies of my own. Time and willing families is all I needed to grow. Every time I go out and shoot another session, the kind where my heart is free to create and observe, I feel as if I take little step towards becoming a better observer. I love it when I am shooting a session and I happen to get lost in it. There’s something so special to me about just taking a step back and watching my subjects naturally interact, come together, and even get lost in thought alone that has nothing to do with the direction I provide. Maybe that’s what caught my attention about photographing births. I would be part of the day trying to be as invisible as possible.
Now having been through child labor myself, I can relate to all the emotions and jokes that happened in that delivery room back when Riley was born. At the time I was just this young girl excited about witnessing my first birth and thrilled that a family let me be part of it without any prior birth experience. I had no portfolio to show and nothing but a great positive attitude that I wasn’t going to faint and somehow they would have great images of the day their daughter was born. I will forever be thankful to Kenneth and Sarah for allowing me to learn and grow on that special day we met Riley.
If you would like to read a little of what I sounded like back then with my blog posts, here is my excerpt written back in September of 2009.
“I don’t think I can really put into words how excited I was about my first birth session. I can only imagine what it will be like the day that it’s my turn. I’ve said it before – how much I love this couple. Working with them is just easy… because no matter what they do, everything looks like it should be photographed. Baby Riley had been keeping me anxious for some time… I was checking my phone often, email, looking on facebook for any updates… anything to let me know that it was time to go to the hospital. I kinda liked it… being on call – especially for something special like this. Well, baby Riley wasn’t coming as early as expected. So we had plenty of time to prepare for the inducement date. I was so thrilled… I would be in the hospital to witness a miracle and watch the beginning of life. I couldn’t sleep the night before – constantly thinking that I would oversleep and miss the whole thing. But when my alarm went off, it was the happiest I’ve ever been to wake up early. Called Kenneth… good news – everything was going smoothly and it was time to head on over.
Sarah was already having contractions when I arrived. The doctor showed up not long after and broke her water… letting us know that things were going to start moving along much quicker now. Thank goodness for medicine. As if I didn’t know already how painful child labor is… watching Sarah clench her fist and grab Kenneth’s hand so tightly had me so tense that I was feeling a bit jittery myself. I think that epidural may be the greatest thing ever. After a little while, it started kicking in and she was feeling much more comfortable. I was able to tell Sarah was feeling better because she was texting away to all her friends and family. We joked about how some women are incredible – not taking any meds and enduring through all the pain. I know I couldn’t take it… I am sickly enough as is… walking through the door – first thing – epidural please. How else could I be texting and calling everyone and letting them know I’m having a baby?! Technology nowadays… just awesome.
I am so touched and moved when I look at Sarah’s pictures. I will forever share a connection with her – with any family that I experience this with. It’s so wonderful to be part of something like this. I want you to think of it as if I was another nurse on the team. I know how important it is for you to share this with your mate and loved ones – so I try to be as “quiet” as possible, and pretend as if I wasn’t even there. No worries about who’s got the camera or making sure that both mom and dad are in the pictures. I’ve got all that under control. It’s as if you had your own little reporter in the background that will document your day for you to keep, look over and share with family and friends over and over now and years later. How cool will it be when baby Riley grows up, to look back at the day she was born? .. to see both her mom and dad and grandparents sharing in the joy of her birth? Super cool I tell ya! Pax (older brother) had no idea what to make of all this excitement. He knew baby Riley was coming but the whole being in the hospital room was kinda scary. I don’t blame him one bit. But the grandmas were there ready to give support. The rest of the family in the waiting room – anxiously waiting to hear updates.
Isn’t Sarah the cutest in-labor mom ever? So beautiful. Now it was time to push. The baby was still kinda high, so before the nurse would call the doctor, some serious pushing had to be made. But as you can tell in these next pictures, epidural makes things so much easier. In between each push-break [ I guess that’s what you call it ] there were plenty of laughs and kisses. Just lovely. Sarah’s thumbs up means we’re ready. Call the doctor… this baby is coming! We were all so excited. As they prepped the room with all the sterilized stuff, monitors and instruments, Kenneth & Sarah were so loving and cute together. I guess this is where the excitement really builds up… knowing that just minutes away you are going to meet your baby. This is where I started to get really emotional… and that little gut feeling of I want a baby too started happening. Sharing with a couple something like this – I think either makes or breaks you about child birth and it definitely did me some good.
For those of you who are very finicky and can’t bear to see a fresh newborn baby – then do not keep reading or looking at this post. But if you are like me and enjoy the wonderful world of mommies and babies- this is a special treat. Everything happened so fast – I am just thrilled with what I was able to capture. I didn’t cheat and look at them on my camera in the hospital – so not until I got home was I truly happy about the outcome. In the hospital I was all in the moment. Celebrating in silent behind the camera as I watched everyone cry & beam from all the joy.”
I sound like such an innocent little birth photographer. Thank you for reading along and continuing to follow me through this wonderful journey of living the dream. It may not be the easiest path but it warms my heart to see mothers smile and cry over the tangible memories they now get to keep as fruit of my labor.