I got home after photographing this birth and I was overwhelmed with the multitude of emotions still racing through me.  You see, the mom in this birth story is a good friend of mine and someone I truly care for and cherish.  To watch her go through all of the emotions this beautiful Sunday evening brought simply overwhelmed me.

I feel that every single birth is so personal and unique and each story needs to be told, in writing, in photographs, in video, each story should be told.  Despite wanting to I didn’t write down everything I was thinking and feeling that night.  I knew that the images would speak for themselves, that they would show the peace and calm of labor as it quickly escalated into the unknown (an emergency c-section) and then by Grace it slowly and steadily moved back toward a sense of normalcy and familiarity.

This is the overwhelmingly joyous birth story of a beautiful and perfect little boy named Elijah David. Many congrats and much love to the L family. Elijah is the perfect addition to your beautiful family. Enjoy!

You’ll see more of him very soon, his newborn portrait session was a few days ago!

Just a note… this promotion has passed, but keep checking our FB page and blog for the latest sessions, events and promotions.

I’m offering a few lucky mamas the opportunity to have their birth photographed for FREE!  Simply book your newborn session and upon booking mention that you’re interested in having your birth photographed.  With your birth coverage you’ll also receive a disc with your birth story images in a slideshow so you and your family can watch and cherish it for years to come.  I’ll also give you a $50 print credit that you can apply toward birth announcements or prints from your birth or newborn session. If you’re planning to do my Baby Steps collection I’ll sweeten the deal a bit more for you and include a set of mini-albums with your newborn session.  This is over $500 of services and products that I’m offering for FREE when you book a newborn session!

There are of course a few details…

• Open to mamas due prior to April 15, 2011
• Subject to availability/delivery location
• You must clear my presence with your spouse and your physician/hospital.  Please also provide any guidelines you, your doctor or your hospital have regarding my presence.
• I also ask that you and your spouse take a bit of time to meet with me prior to delivery to share some coffee or cupcakes (or whatever you’re craving) and chat about what to expect from your birth story experience.
• Payment for your newborn session is due upon booking.
• This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions.

I’m looking for all different types of births; scheduled induction, spontaneous labor, scheduled c-section, multiples… I’m game for anything!  If you’re already on the books for a newborn session you can most definitely take advantage of this promotion.

Please contact me soon as I will only be able to take a few births during this time period.  I look forward to meeting you…and your new little one!

As a mom I cannot express how much I treasure images like this one…

there’s simply nothing in this world quite like those first moments with your new baby.

When I found out that we were expecting our second baby I set out with a plan, a plan to photograph my own birth experience.  I know it sounds a bit nuts, but I spent 9 months planning exactly how I would do it.  I bought a new lens, I went over the plan with my husband and OB and everything was set.  That plan included having an epidural to relieve my pain and enable me to hold a camera, to capture everything I could as our little “jellybean” came into the world.

In theory plans are great, but nothing went according to plan.  I had two, yes, two epidurals and neither worked.  It took everything I had to control the pain and keep my composure so the concept of holding a camera went out the window.  I photographed all of the details; the room, the monitors, anything and everything I could during early labor, but I couldn’t photograph her actual delivery.

I was bummed that I wasn’t able to photograph her arrival, but through the change of plans I have come to understand the beauty of birth; each experience is unique and unpredictable, but it’s always miraculous.

Many, many thanks to my husband for helping me fill in the blanks and tell our sweet Juliet’s birth story.

It’s no secret that photographing births is one of my favorite things to do.  Please contact me if you would like more information about Birth Photography.

P.S. Make sure your sound is on!

Having just celebrated Mother’s Day I can say without a doubt that motherhood is the greatest gift I’ve ever received.  My daughter is my greatest joy and accomplishment and I simply cannot imagine life without her. This joy is one that I hope and pray every woman is able to experience.

I had the privilege of seeing this joy born unto new parents, of seeing a beautiful little girl take her first breaths and seeing the greatest gift given, the gift of motherhood.  You might remember Jennifer from her maternity session blog post a few weeks ago.  We’ll, the little blessing she was carrying arrived just one week after our session.

As a surrogate Jennifer gave Allison and Doug the greatest gift possible…Miss Emma Madison.

Special thanks to Dr. Jon Rawson and the nurses and staff at Memorial Herman The Woodlands Hospital.

J&M and A&D – thank you, thank you, thank you!

If you would like more information about birth photography feel free to email or call me any time.

Enjoy!