Archive for the ‘Black & White Photography’ Category

I arrived Friday, early afternoon, to find this Mama in active labor. Her spirits were high even though she was already several hours into active labor.

Homebirth this time of year is so special. There is nothing more wonderful than bringing a baby into the home surrounded by all the beautiful lights and decor.

Gentle reminders that she was surrounded by the uplifting love and support of wonderful friends near and far….

Including lots of calls, texts and Facebook progress inquiries!

Baby was breech which means a slower birth progression for Mom with nothing but a squishy butt to help her cervix dilate. But Mom made steady, if not slow,  progress through day and night. She made it look so easy, she was so powerful and incredibly strong. After a long 30 hours of hard work with little sleep, we all left Mom and Dad to sleep for a few hours. When we returned, she was refreshed, renewed and refocused. The energy had shifted and everyone was excited. The doula couldn’t stop smiling, the midwife literally danced a jig and Mom….well she was working SUPER hard so she wasn’t smiling much at this point but still managed to crack a few grins all the way through her birth! Her attitude was always so positive, she was so determined.

While Mom and her close friend/doula walked the stairs, they came across this crazy little furry beast of a caterpillar. We declared him a sign of good fortune.

Mom’s midwife brought her this rose in the afternoon – another sign of love, support and optimism.

Only a few hours after her restorative nap, Mom started feeling pushy and moved into the birth tub for the remainder of her labor and birth. I love homebirths with pets. They are so in tune to Mom’s labor. I’m pretty sure this sweet dog would have jumped into the birth tub had the doula not been keeping tabs!

Seriously hard work going on here. This is the most beautiful, powerful woman in the world about to meet her daughter!

39 hours after it all began….a very VERY ecstatic birth team: Mom, baby and her two midwives just seconds after the birth!

A family of three.

Beauty…..

Happily ever after…

Getting ready for her newborn exam…

Often times when a baby is first born, she still naturally folds into the position she kept the last weeks of pregnancy. For breech babies, this means their feet are often found up by their ears!  This sweet babe would not stop exploring her new world with those crazy feet! It will be sad when they finally settle down into their proper position at the other end of her torso!

Crazy crazy amounts of blond hair. Just amazing!

I love this baby girl.

My sincerest congratulations and gratitude goes out to this most amazing family who brought their sweet baby into the world in such a gentle and loving way. It was my greatest honor to have been part of their incredible journey.

I had a unique opportunity to shoot the labor and birth for a wonderful local doula and her husband who were supported by an amazing midwife and a fantastic doula.  Being surrounded by people who know, love, work in the birth profession and truly respect the birth process was incredible.

I arrived at the birth after nightfall and Mom was focused and determined. Her contractions were coming regularly but she was peaceful and strong  and let them work their magic. Did I mention she was very determined? She was VERY determined! And 4 cm dilated.

Mom and Dad took a few walks out in the dark, hot and humid night. When they came back the second time, we could tell things had progressed. Contractions were very close together. We all sat around chatting, pausing for each contraction, picking up where we left off when the contraction subsided.

For awhile the doula acted as human back support. Watching these two work together was really beautiful.

It was getting late and Mom & Dad were tired. The doula and I left to pick up some food for everyone so the family and midwife could try to grab some sleep while they still could. We tried to stay away a bit to give everyone a chance to sleep. I think we both prepared for the possibility that this might be a long night.

We never did get to eat that food! When we got back, we were met at the door by the midwife who announced that Mom’s water just broke! We met her in the tub where she was clearly in transition. There wasn’t a plan to have her baby in the bathroom but the beauty of homebirth is that things are allowed to change quickly and a baby can be born where ever the baby needs to be born. Sometimes this changes by the minute! It keeps me on my toes

No one wants to be in labor for days but quick births have their own challenges! The intensity was out of this world but Mom was absolutely beautiful and amazing. Around the time she started feeling pushy, she moved to the toilet where it became quickly clear she would stay for the birth.

This Mama let her body do it’s thing with such incredible strength. She didn’t even need to push. She just endured while her body and baby finished the job.

Baby Eden was born peacefully and gently into her parents arms, just 3.5 hours after we arrived! She didn’t fuss or cry. She just stared happily at her parents and took it all in.

Look at these tiny fists holding onto her Mama so tight!

Meeting Daddy on the outside.

The moments after a birth are so crazy. There’s a lot of “stuff” to do – the placenta has to be birthed, tears need to be repaired, Mom needs to be fed and watered and showered, baby needs to nurse,  bonding needs to happen. Then about an hour or two later, as in this picture, a calm falls over the family. Mom and Dad turn to each other and smile and embrace and celebrate as if to say “Wow. Look what we just did!”  It truly is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

Baby Eden was the perfect patient for her newborn exam. It was preformed on her parents’ bed while they relaxed and looked on.

Baby Eden, you crack me up!

8lb 8oz! 20.5 inches!

Sweet dreams and Happy Birth Day, Eden!

As a photographer, I love how each birth offers me new ways to reach and grow technically. This was, by far, my most challenging birth in that way. The space, angle and lighting challenges were far and away from anything I’ve experienced before. But it was one of my most special births for so many reasons. Being asked to be part of this special birth team was really a huge honor. There was a point during transition when I listened to the midwife empower Mom through her fears and I teared up at the beauty and truth in her words. It was beautiful to see two doulas and friends work together so closely – I have several pictures were the doula was making the same face as Mom, unbeknownst to them both! I know I’ve said it before but I have to say it again: I love my job!

Thank you to the family for allowing me to attend and create lasting memories of this most special day in Eden’s life!