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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.]
MK and I hit it off instantly. Even via e-mail, I could already tell that I liked her spunk and sense of humor and down-to-earth approach to birth. At our meet up beforehand to discuss the big day, she told me she had no pre-conceived notions about how this birth was "supposed" to go. It wasn't just talk. She really meant it and I could really appreciate that mindset. So the morning of their baby's birth day, I got a text from her letting me know that her water had broken. Awesome! Perfect! The timing couldn't have been more amazing since I had only been able to cover her birth on a standby basis (she was due pretty much at the same time as this little guy.) The day moved slowly but steadily and by the time I had gotten to the hospital, things were looking great. Dad was a tremendous support to his wife. Her family had made it into town to welcome the birth of their first grandchild. We were all so excited to find out if the baby was a boy or a girl. It was all coming together even better than planned.
And then suddenly, the whole plan changed and everything started to move so quickly...too quickly to keep up with swirling concern, confusion and emotion. And it was at this point, I truly realized how glad I was to be able to be there to click away and capture it all...especially those things that mom would have missed otherwise...
(If you are pregnant and in the Austin area and are interested in having your birth experience photographed, take a look! Photographers seeking advice on birth photography, please visit this link.)
I get SO excited every time you post a sneak peek, especially birth shoots. You are such an amazing talent and person. I have been saying for years that my "bucket list" includes heading to Austin (from NY!) to have you take our families pictures. Thank you so much for sharing!! What an amazing gift you gave this family!! :) Welcome to the world Andrew!
(04.09.10 @ 06:12 AM)This takes my breath away, I wish you lived on my side of the country Michelle! (I'm due in August!)
(04.09.10 @ 07:28 AM)Michele - Beautiful! Just finished wiping away my tears. I love love birth photography. the images of the mom holding Andrew are gorgeous. I am so excited that I will be having the birth of my third child photographed by a peer. I am sending this to her for inspiration!! Thanks for sharing the entire slideshow!
(04.09.10 @ 07:31 AM)Beautiful as always Michele. Makes me long for the arrival of my little one in 8 short weeks
(04.09.10 @ 08:01 AM)Oh Michelle! What a story! The images of the family waiting and then the father coming down the hall with the baby, brought tears to my eyes :) Wonderful job!
(04.09.10 @ 08:11 AM)tears streaming down my cheeks.. makes me want to go hug my babies. beautiful. :)
(04.09.10 @ 08:24 AM)Okay I'm wiping away my tears. The music, the emotion, the images... what a beautiful story. I especially love the ones of Grandma & Grandpa hugging each other at the safe arrival of their grandson, and the mama seeing her baby and loving on him. Gorgeous.
(04.09.10 @ 10:23 AM)Beautiful photos! I love how relaxed Mom looked the entire time. I started crying when I saw how happy the grandparents looked! And what an alert, handsome baby!!!
(04.09.10 @ 10:27 AM)OMG, LOVE the pic of their hands with the aggie ring!!!
(04.09.10 @ 10:45 AM)amazing! I love the way you capture the whole experience and the emotions, brings tears to my eyes every time :)
(04.09.10 @ 10:54 AM)amazing, just amazing!! these are just priceless, beautiful photos!
(04.09.10 @ 11:15 AM)So beautifull, full of emotion....I know for sure they will love it!!
(04.09.10 @ 01:01 PM)I'm a big ball of emotional mess! My goodness. You are truly AMAZING! You know I've told you so many times, but I feel like the English language just doesn't do your talent justice. You are truly Blessed Michelle!!
(04.09.10 @ 04:46 PM)While they're all amazing as usual, the shot of the last shot of grandparents (after their hug) is my fav. Grandpa is trying to be so strong and "manly", but you managed to capture all of the emotion he's trying to rein in. It brought tears to my eyes...totally made me think of my dad.
(04.09.10 @ 07:15 PM)Great job Andrew's Momma and congrats he is beautiful. Beautiful, emotive images Michelle.
I had an emergency C section with my son and...wow I am an emotional, mushy, grateful mess after watching the slideshow.
.
Beautiful! Love the emotion that you captured, let me wipe my tears. Lovely as always.
(04.09.10 @ 08:42 PM)Me ha encantado, me he sorprendido a mi mismo llorando. (I liked it very much, I couldn't avoid to cry)
(04.12.10 @ 03:22 PM)those are absolutely incredible!!!! I found myself getting emotional looking at them! beautiful captures!
(04.16.10 @ 07:35 PM)I just want to say I love your work...it is beautiful and inspiring. The colors just make me happy!
(04.21.10 @ 01:07 PM)As always, you've done a magical job capturing one of life's most awesome moments! As we plan for our third child, due this Thursday, I cannot help but wish we lived in your area so that we could use your talent to document our daughter's birth. What a wonderful gift you've given these families! : )
(05.03.10 @ 10:49 AM)
I was so very surprised and honored when I was invited by the talented Miss Mariah to photograph the birth of their 3rd baby. If you've ever had the pleasure of meeting Mariah, you will immediately find that she is a calming presence...someone who appreciates the simple gifts in life, someone who is very grounded and very focused on her family. Evidently, she is just as calm while giving birth ;-).Beautiful. Simply beautiful. Watch the slideshow below and see how she trusts her body to work through the contractions and just look at how attentive her husband is (amazing to witness). Oh, and I love the look on her face when she finds out the gender (a surprise!)! But at the end...oh that beautiful baby and all of that HAIR!
(If you are pregnant and in the Austin area and are interested in having your birth experience photographed, take a look!)
What a beautiful birth! Roswitha delivered my daughter on March 15, 2009, these images brought back so many memories of my daughter birth at AABC.
Amazing, thank you for sharing!
These photos are so very beautiful! You really captured such beauty and such an amazing connection!! I love all of them! Im in the hospital right now in labor and stumbled across your blog, wish I had you here to take our photos, love your work!
(03.21.10 @ 09:45 PM)Your birthing sessions are breathtaking! My sister is giving birth in the next couple of weeks. I am a professional myself, having said that, this will be my first birthing session. If i might ask, what is your "go-to lenses" and how do you not become intrusive? Your images make us blog stalkers feel like we were right there with you. I just don't want to get in the way.
(03.21.10 @ 09:49 PM)Michele... thank you again SO MUCH for these amazing images. Peter and I will treasure them forever. Even cooler that you posted this today - 3/21. It's my brother's birthday and Cruz got his middle name after my brother Nico. =) XOXO - much love... thank you.
(03.21.10 @ 10:18 PM)I love it. What a great job - both that mommy and you - more the mommy of course. I felt like I was there. I love all of the creative shots and that she let you do a nursing photo. I really love those, it's the sweetest thing.
(03.21.10 @ 11:40 PM)oh, these always make me cry...and want another baby, lol! What a beautiful, beautiful moment! Congratulations to the proud, proud parents!
(03.22.10 @ 12:43 AM)OMG this photos are really wonderful!!
Really perfect and the baby is so cute!
Michele these are breathtaking!! You are so creative and talented, and so good at capturing all the right moments.
(03.22.10 @ 04:15 PM)
LOVE! I can easily see how you happily failed at editing only 15-20! How couldn't you continue editing this session. Its awesome!
(03.07.10 @ 03:19 PM)I love these! So creative and fun!
(and your new blog ROCKS!!! LOVE!)
The new blogsite is awesome! I also LOVE these photos! Would like to have some like this of me and my man! I will have to make it a priority!
(03.07.10 @ 08:41 PM)That looked like an awesome day with them! I 'hate' how you can rock sunflares like no other! Great job!
(03.08.10 @ 12:38 AM)
Awe inspiring. Congratulations to the beautiful family!
(05.14.10 @ 09:41 AM)BEAUTIFUL AND REAL, it makes me cry and remember how wonderful is the birth of a child :) love the song ... congrats to the beautiful family, to the singer, and photographer.
(05.14.10 @ 10:23 AM)these are so beautiful! Can I ask what kind of action you used on the color images?... love the vintage, worn look.
(05.14.10 @ 10:27 AM)Sigh. so perfect
(05.14.10 @ 10:29 AM)Just gorgeous... I got teared up... you are so good at births Michelle. :)
(05.14.10 @ 12:25 PM)So, so, so very beautiful . My eyes are filled with tears...what lovely imags.
(05.14.10 @ 12:32 PM)Every time you shoot a birth, I cross my fingers "slideshow, slideshow, slideshow..." This was amazing, I am crying again. Your work is so inspiring, and this family will treasure these photos for life.
(05.14.10 @ 01:29 PM)i'm bawling over here! just beautiful!
(05.14.10 @ 01:50 PM)tears. every single time. beautiful work, beautiful family.
(05.14.10 @ 01:56 PM)So beautiful...this is one of my favorite birth shoots I've seen of yours. Gives me hope for next time. xoxo :)
(05.14.10 @ 03:14 PM)Very moving Michele, nice job capturing this sweet family.
(05.14.10 @ 03:45 PM)Such amazing images!
(05.14.10 @ 04:34 PM)Lily Blu!!!
(05.14.10 @ 04:36 PM)sooooo beautiful !! I've given birth 8 times and those times have truly been 'best days' - so wished I knew of birth photography then. Michelle, you have captured the moments and emotions so exquisitely - who could watch this and not be moved .... THANK YOU!
(05.14.10 @ 08:08 PM)So moving! Thank you for sharing!
(05.15.10 @ 04:57 AM)Thank you Michele and thank you family for sharing these beautiful images of love and hope.
(05.15.10 @ 05:44 AM)So incredibly beautiful, Michele! You have such an incredible gift for this:)
(05.15.10 @ 02:44 PM)Wow that was absolutely beautiful. What a great job you did at capturing those special moments. I could not stop crying. It was such a moving video but it really got me when she started singing. That is a beautiful song.
(05.15.10 @ 08:21 PM)I know I sound like a broken record ... but you captured exactly what I wanted! And while I'm thankful that our birth went quickly -- I am soooo thankful that you made it and were able to photograph the emotion of the pushing-- from the pain .. to relaxing between pushing ... to the moments between my husband and me... to the first kiss I gave my sweet son. I will treasure these pictures for ever and ever. XOXOXO.
(05.16.10 @ 12:58 PM)Michele, YOU ARE BRILLIANT! I just had my little girl, after two boys, 12 weeks ago. I wish I had you there to take such "aw catching moments" that can never be duplicated. You are my friend the best in the business. You have such a wonderful gift!
(05.17.10 @ 07:57 AM)