New Pastures
As I alluded to on my previous post, I had a really exciting day yesterday...a big haircut and THIS. I am not going to lie, it was hands-down one of the coolest experiences (and coolest photoshoots!) I've ever done.
I have been wanting to get into birth photography for a while, and finally a month or two ago decided to take the plunge and look at getting some mamas who wanted a free birth session in exchange for portfolio building for moi. I posted in a local mommy group and got slammed with 10+ interested parties: awesome. But I couldn't take all of them, so I narrowed it down to a few (because, first and foremost, I'm a mom and something may arise that I may not be able to get to the birth...and they need to be absolutely okay with that) and boom. There I went.
Katie was first up with her due date being May 12th...and although I didn't really want to take on anyone who was due during my school year, I made an exception for Katie because she's awesome and I just love her and Phil. This was baby #1 for them and they didn't know what they were having (squeal!! so fun!!) so I was totally definitely gonna do everything in my power to make it to their shoot.
On Tuesday I decided to bite the bullet and order this bad boy:
OH MY GOSH I was so excited. Everyone raves about the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, so I decided I needed to jump on the train and get it and it came in JUST in time to have the most perfect inaugural shoot.
Katie had text me on Tuesday night that she was headed to the hospital to be induced, and said she'd keep me posted. I was excited -- like giddy with anticipation, and I woke up nearly every hour Tuesday night checking my phone to see if I needed to rush in. She texted me early Wednesday morning saying not too much progress, but I went ahead and brought my camera to school with me JUST in case it progressed fast.
Well, noon came and she said she was only at about 3.5cm, so I thought I had a little while to go, which was great that I didn't need to race out from school. I actually had time to go to Target and get some errands done, run and get my hair cut, do laundry, diaper laundry, make dinner and eat it with the kids when about 7pm she text me and said she was 8cm -- which was our decided time that I'd come up to the hospital.
I gave my wonderful mother-in-law a call and asked her to come over and stay with Patrick and Ro (and put them to bed) so I could go up there. I got to the hospital about 7:15pm and Katie's nurse said they'd check her around 8 to see how she was doing...so we got to chit chat a bit before the nurse checked and said she was complete and good to go!
Now, Katie is amazing: I swear she pushed like 3 times and out shot this adorable little man! But as soon as she started pushing is when my adrenaline amped up and I knew it was go time. What always scared me about doing weddings is that it's a one-time moment (first kiss, walking down the aisle, first dance, etc...) that you can't redo and I was so scared about screwing up. For some reason births are the exact same (if not even more so with a one-time-only event!) yet they didn't scare me at all like weddings did (and still kinda do!) -- so maybe birth photography is my calling?! Anyways, when Katie was pushing I was armed and ready, and man, it went SO FAST.
Seriously, a few intensely-focused pushes later and bam! Phil was announcing "It's a boy!" and out came little Wesley Benjamin into the world!
It was incredible. I feel so honored and privileged to have been able to be a part of this special moment for Phil and Katie and to capture it for them. I guess I'm living vicariously through these births I'm getting to photograph until my next one comes along. I really REALLY loved shooting this birth last night and cannot wait to do the other couple I have scheduled and hopefully get some more booked as well. Yes, it's time-consuming because it's like I'm on call and then don't know how long I'll actually be there for the birth, but wow, it is so so SO worth it when I see these pics.
I really wasn't going to post THIS MANY pictures from Wesley's birth, but heck, I've got to now. I'm looking at them again, getting baby fever, and wanting to share how amazing Katie did and what an incredible story this little guy's arrival was.
And yes, I took these in color but I think the black and white birth pics are sooooo much more powerful and beautiful and just plain amazing. I gave Phil and Katie both the color and black and white versions, but the black and white are just the best I think. Maybe I'll add a disclaimer on my birth photography that I shoot in black and white only so I don't have to deal with color :) Ha!
Anyways, thank you for reading this amazing birth story and for the new pastures Pics & Paws Photography has set out to explore! I'm so excited for this new adventure and offerings for my photog business!!
I have been wanting to get into birth photography for a while, and finally a month or two ago decided to take the plunge and look at getting some mamas who wanted a free birth session in exchange for portfolio building for moi. I posted in a local mommy group and got slammed with 10+ interested parties: awesome. But I couldn't take all of them, so I narrowed it down to a few (because, first and foremost, I'm a mom and something may arise that I may not be able to get to the birth...and they need to be absolutely okay with that) and boom. There I went.
Katie was first up with her due date being May 12th...and although I didn't really want to take on anyone who was due during my school year, I made an exception for Katie because she's awesome and I just love her and Phil. This was baby #1 for them and they didn't know what they were having (squeal!! so fun!!) so I was totally definitely gonna do everything in my power to make it to their shoot.
On Tuesday I decided to bite the bullet and order this bad boy:
OH MY GOSH I was so excited. Everyone raves about the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, so I decided I needed to jump on the train and get it and it came in JUST in time to have the most perfect inaugural shoot.
Katie had text me on Tuesday night that she was headed to the hospital to be induced, and said she'd keep me posted. I was excited -- like giddy with anticipation, and I woke up nearly every hour Tuesday night checking my phone to see if I needed to rush in. She texted me early Wednesday morning saying not too much progress, but I went ahead and brought my camera to school with me JUST in case it progressed fast.
Well, noon came and she said she was only at about 3.5cm, so I thought I had a little while to go, which was great that I didn't need to race out from school. I actually had time to go to Target and get some errands done, run and get my hair cut, do laundry, diaper laundry, make dinner and eat it with the kids when about 7pm she text me and said she was 8cm -- which was our decided time that I'd come up to the hospital.
I gave my wonderful mother-in-law a call and asked her to come over and stay with Patrick and Ro (and put them to bed) so I could go up there. I got to the hospital about 7:15pm and Katie's nurse said they'd check her around 8 to see how she was doing...so we got to chit chat a bit before the nurse checked and said she was complete and good to go!
Now, Katie is amazing: I swear she pushed like 3 times and out shot this adorable little man! But as soon as she started pushing is when my adrenaline amped up and I knew it was go time. What always scared me about doing weddings is that it's a one-time moment (first kiss, walking down the aisle, first dance, etc...) that you can't redo and I was so scared about screwing up. For some reason births are the exact same (if not even more so with a one-time-only event!) yet they didn't scare me at all like weddings did (and still kinda do!) -- so maybe birth photography is my calling?! Anyways, when Katie was pushing I was armed and ready, and man, it went SO FAST.
Seriously, a few intensely-focused pushes later and bam! Phil was announcing "It's a boy!" and out came little Wesley Benjamin into the world!
It was incredible. I feel so honored and privileged to have been able to be a part of this special moment for Phil and Katie and to capture it for them. I guess I'm living vicariously through these births I'm getting to photograph until my next one comes along. I really REALLY loved shooting this birth last night and cannot wait to do the other couple I have scheduled and hopefully get some more booked as well. Yes, it's time-consuming because it's like I'm on call and then don't know how long I'll actually be there for the birth, but wow, it is so so SO worth it when I see these pics.
I really wasn't going to post THIS MANY pictures from Wesley's birth, but heck, I've got to now. I'm looking at them again, getting baby fever, and wanting to share how amazing Katie did and what an incredible story this little guy's arrival was.
And yes, I took these in color but I think the black and white birth pics are sooooo much more powerful and beautiful and just plain amazing. I gave Phil and Katie both the color and black and white versions, but the black and white are just the best I think. Maybe I'll add a disclaimer on my birth photography that I shoot in black and white only so I don't have to deal with color :) Ha!
Anyways, thank you for reading this amazing birth story and for the new pastures Pics & Paws Photography has set out to explore! I'm so excited for this new adventure and offerings for my photog business!!
