Archive for 'Austin Pregnancy'
…you’re quite literally on the COVER of Midwifery Today Magazine (image from the birth of my beautiful baby girl created by my wonderful friend and fab photographer, Lyndsay–congrats again, Lynds!)
…AND…
…the photos *you’ve* taken at other births are featured throughout the same magazine (including one of another amazing photog and close friend, Mariah). I just had to giggle. It’s like the Austin photogs have taken over Midwifery Today ;-). Or maybe Austin just makes birth look that cool.
When I got the call that this would be “the day” I was so caught off guard. He wasn’t supposed to arrive until the end of August. This was the middle of JUNE! But it was an emergency situation and he had to be born…immediately. Driving over to the hospital that day, I was so full of concern and emotion and I just kept wondering how in the world these parents (first-time parents) would be able to deal with what was about to happen? I mean, it’s scary enough having your first child, but to get a surprise like this and not knowing how this new little life would manage outside of the womb…I can’t even imagine.
I remember sitting in the waiting room…alone (nobody had time to get there), waiting for some sort of news when a man in glasses strode through the door leading to L&D. He was grinning from ear to ear and perhaps still a little white from the shock of it all. His son was here! He was tiny (2lbs 3oz), but he was healthy and it was an absolute a miracle!
I’ve had only a little bit of experience with preemies, but in that experience, I knew that this new family of three had a long road ahead of them. A road filled with machine beeping and tubes and tests and unknowns and ups and downs and infinite 3 minute hand-washings. While I was supposed to be there to capture the “birth day,” I knew that all of those amazing first moments of this particular birth would be delayed over many, many days (67 days in all). And so I asked them if they wanted me to chronicle this very different birth journey. And so we did.
Beverly (who happens to be a very talented photographer) has allowed me to share the birth of Baby Miles with you all in the hopes that it will help other parents who are in or may someday be on a NICU journey and to generate support for the March of Dimes. After watching Miles’ birth slideshow, if you are so inspired, perhaps you could donate or volunteer? In fact, to help celebrate Miles’ homecoming, I pledge to contribute $1 per comment left on this post (one per person; up to $300) left between now and Sept. 1, 2010 to the March of Dimes.
So here you go. This is Miles’ birth story…from the day he was born…to the day he got to come home. Truly something to celebrate:
[Music by Philip Hintze and “Welcome Baby” by my dear friend Michelle Jamail. Interestingly, I used this same compilation for previous births, but it fascinates me how “Welcome Baby” took on an entirely new meaning here.]
If you are expecting and have already booked a session with me, you can “register” for your maternity portraits, birth photography, and/or baby’s newborn photo session. I can even send cards to include in shower invitations, etc.
Of course, you could also take this route (my all time fav!).
Or do I talk about how scared I was that I was going to miss the birth when I was running down the hall to Labor and Delivery and could hear his mommy already pushing?! Or maybe I should talk about how I was absolutely amazed when she pushed through all of the intensity and pain and delivered this baby VBAC and med free? Or perhaps I could tell you that I teared up and giggled at the same time when she couldn’t contain her excitement and squealed in surprise, “It’s a BOY!!” just seconds after he was born.
Then there’s dad–who, in spite of his teasing banter, was happy to let me photograph this event and did such a great job of taking care of his family that day. And big sister, who met her new brother with such enthusiasm and love…what a joy to see!
But, I could also talk about how, just a few days after baby boy’s birth, I was driving down the road listening to my friend Michelle’s CD and a song came on and I *immediately* knew it would have to accompany these birth photos. (Thank you, Michelle, for allowing me to use this song.)
Yes, I could indeed tell you all of these things, but really, it’s so much better if you just see it for yourself (be sure to watch through the end so you can hear Michelle’s beautiful voice and perfectly fitting song, “Welcome, Baby.”):
Thank you all so much for allowing me to share this incredible birth on the blog. I’m so thankful you invited me to be there that day.
Side note: Okay, so the pic of the hospital at the beginning of the show? *Every* time I try to take any pictures outside of the hospital for a birth, I *always* get stopped by security. What’s up with that? I guess I must look extremely suspicious. Anyway, I had to snap this one quite literally as I was putting my camera away in the bag. Quite surprised I got anything at all ;-).
[If you are pregnant in the Austin area and are interested in having
your baby’s birth day photographed, take a look! If you are a photographer looking for advice on birth photography,
please check out Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers – I
provide marketing materials and information on birth photography to our
PT4P members.]
[These are some of the retouched images printed for my clients from our last round of Xpressions sessions].
P.S. Only two more openings left for the next Xpressions sessions in a few weeks!
