I'm fairly certain I've teared up at every newborn session, but this one was almost too much to bear. From the moment I walked in, mom was snuggled up nursing baby boy and I glanced upon her dresser to find this framed hand-written list from her husband. The very idea that he wrote this out was so moving, but the fact it was framed just cemented it.
We were all so happy...so joyful...so eager to celebrate this little man's birth! There were so many tears all around. Notice the one in his grandmother's eye. We actually had to stop the session several times because we were so caught up in it all. I told them I would *never* be able to finish the session if we didn't collect ourselves, but once the waterworks turned on, we were all goners. This one makes me giggle:
(I wish someone could have gotten all of us in the frame...you can't see my own tissue ;-)
But these last two images really captured the vibe of that morning for me. I was photographing dad and his boy and I could literally *feel* the gaze of mom back there. The love was so intense...so palatable. Wow. It got me. Still gets me.
We were all so happy...so joyful...so eager to celebrate this little man's birth! There were so many tears all around. Notice the one in his grandmother's eye. We actually had to stop the session several times because we were so caught up in it all. I told them I would *never* be able to finish the session if we didn't collect ourselves, but once the waterworks turned on, we were all goners. This one makes me giggle:(I wish someone could have gotten all of us in the frame...you can't see my own tissue ;-)But these last two images really captured the vibe of that morning for me. I was photographing dad and his boy and I could literally *feel* the gaze of mom back there. The love was so intense...so palatable. Wow. It got me. Still gets me.
These were taken at the in-home family session demonstration for our first professional family photographer workshop in January. I have to admit I'm pretty proud to offer this as part of the Pinkle Toes photography workshops! I personally would LOVE to have the opportunity to go into a house and see how another photographer sets up a session from start to finish using available light (on a RAINY day, no less). This has been named as one of the best parts of each of the workshops we've had!
Finally, I can now start blogging my 2011 sessions! I didn't think I was ever going to get to this point, LOL. You guys might remember me talking about the newborn twins photo session I had in January. You might remember just how nervous I was ;-). Upon meeting these two, however, I realized there was nothing to be nervous about. They were SO precious and I loved getting to peer into their little personalities as we worked together.
I look forward to working with them again soon...I imagine I wouldn't even be able to recognize them.
Oh, one more image I want to share! We had gotten the babies settled in and were shooting away. Puppy dog was dying to be part of the action, so we called her up. As I looked at mom and dad, arms full of babies and laps full of puppy dog, I giggled, "Can you even believe this is your life now???"
No. I don't think they could.
Oh, one more image I want to share! We had gotten the babies settled in and were shooting away. Puppy dog was dying to be part of the action, so we called her up. As I looked at mom and dad, arms full of babies and laps full of puppy dog, I giggled, "Can you even believe this is your life now???"
No. I don't think they could.[P.S. Clients...NOW is the time to book your holiday sessions! I'm not kidding when I tell you have just a few openings left in October. We're going to have to look at September and even August for holiday family photo sessions. Please, don't wait! It breaks my heart to have to turn repeat clients away. Contact me if you want session details and to reserve a date.]
when I got the chance to meet this beautiful little gift. The house was still glowing with Christmas lights. Grandparents (from both sides of the family) were in town to greet this new life. I recall one moment in particular while we were taking a little "snack break"...we all sat around by the Christmas tree and chatted...
and her grandfather played the piano for us.
and her grandfather played the piano for us.And I was pretty humbled to realize I was *right* there, documenting the birth of memories that this baby girl will only know of in pictures.
And then I realized that a newborn session is not just a photo session. It's an event. It's a ritual that brings people together to recognize and celebrate a family's heritage and longevity. How blessed are we to live in an era and culture that has the both the tools and foresight to photograph such things? Very. Very blessed.
And then I realized that a newborn session is not just a photo session. It's an event. It's a ritual that brings people together to recognize and celebrate a family's heritage and longevity. How blessed are we to live in an era and culture that has the both the tools and foresight to photograph such things? Very. Very blessed.
Last fall, I was extremely honored to be asked by one of my photography idols to photograph the birth of her second baby. Her work has always grabbed my heart: it's so pure, and honest, and emotive, and beautiful. To be honest, I had to pinch myself when I saw her e-mail (she's probably blushing now ;-). And then when I learned it would be a homebirth (sigh), I had to pinch myself again.I got the first notice that this might be the day at about 4 a.m. (so it goes for midwives and birth photographers). I could NOT sleep and I paced around for more word. By 8 a.m., I had heard nothing and I started to get a little nervous. With second-time moms, it's my biggest fear that I'm going to miss the birth and then with a homebirth, it can be a little tough because you definitely don't want to get there too early and disrupt the labor process.
But by about 10 a.m, I was so anxious, I pulled a crazy stalker move and I had to do a little drive-by. Oh, I was SO embarrassed to happen upon her and her hubby out for a walk in the cool air!!! (I'm dedicated. What can I say?) After talking to her for about 7-10 minutes I began to think that today might not actually be the day. I mean, here was this beautiful, radiant woman talking to me in complete sentences like it was no big deal and she never once had to stop for a contraction. So, I drove home.
No sooner had I walked in the door, I got a text from dad, "things are picking up here." Followed a few minutes by, "she would like you to come over."
Boy, I FLEW back to her house (I may or may not have breezed through a few "burnt orange" lights along the way). I could hear her outside of the house before I even got through the door...I pulled my camera out because I was so afraid to miss it.
The scene when I walked into the house took my breath away. Christmas lights twinkled and an excited "big brother to be" was hanging out with his grandparents. The birth tub was tucked away in a space that would become the baby's room. Soft music, warm steamy water, and a song coming from deep within mom that was somehow both primal and perfectly in tune. How I wish I had recorded that sound. It was amazing. The light was incredible (I should have known a birth by a fellow photographer would be picture perfect) and it illuminated this mobile of tiny, handmade paper cranes from her friends all over the country (world?). The peaceful energy of the room...the entire house...was both calming and exhilarating. Everyone was happy. No one was afraid. I do not exaggerate. *This* is birth.
[Google Reader and RSS fans, you'll need to click on this link to see the full slideshow]
All the way home that afternoon, I kept seeing the pictures in my head and humming a tune that my good friend, Lyndsay, used on the slideshow for the birth of our daughter. That tune has always been very dear to me and I've felt a bit protective over it. But this entire time, I couldn't get it out of my head. It belonged to this birth, too. Thank you, Lynds, for sharing this song with us.
And thank you to this beautiful family for inviting us into their home to witness such a personal and incredible event and then for allowing me to share it with you all on here.
