I am not shooting weddings anymore. HOWEVER, when your good friend calls and asks you to second shoot their first look you say yes!
Finley's story starts a little earlier than most births. She wasn't growing well so the decision was made to induce mama at 35 weeks and 3 days. She was measuring very small and it was decided that she needed to be delivered to ensure a healthy baby and mama. Mama went in the evening before and things really got started at 7:00 am on April 6, 2017. The pitocin was started and mama was 1cm and 60% effaced. Finley was born at 9:54 am. It was fast and furious! In fact, it was so fast that the nurse wasn't even in the room as she crowned. Grandma was holding her head as a nurse ran in and finished the delivery. She didn't even have time to put gloves on! She started crying immediately and it was the best sound. She is a strong little girl. She weighed 3 lbs 6 oz and was 16 inches in length. She is tiny but is most definitely a fighter. It was such a privilege to be asked to document this day.
This year I was eligible to submit photos to the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers Image of the Year Competition. There were 4 categories: Labor, Delivery, Postpartum, and Details. I chose to enter 2 photos. One in the labor category and one in the delivery category. I knew there was no way I would win. I'm very proud of the work I've done in the last year but I also see the work of the other birth photographers that were going to be entering images and they are all so incredible. I entered not to win but to push myself to be better. To get out of my shell and put my work "out there".
The coolest aspect of this contest took place in the days leading up to the entry deadline. Each photographer was posting images that they were considering and asking their "competition" for help deciding which one to enter! The community of birth photographers across the world is incredibly supportive and instead of acting like competition, they are encouraging and helpful. Even though this is a "competition" the idea is NOT to put one birth against another but instead to show the beauty in every birth and the strength in every family that is welcoming a new baby. You should take a few minutes and look at not only the winners but every entry. (There are only 600, shouldn't take too long right?) You can check them out here: 2017 Image of the Year Competition, IAPBP.
Below are the 2 images I submitted. I'm already looking forward to next year!
From the home birth of Lola Mae
From the hospital birth of Luken Paul Bradley
I had the privilege of taking Miss Caroline’s newborn photos. She is such a doll and was so good throughout the whole shoot! Congratulations Kelsey and Grant on your sweet baby girl!
What an exciting day this was! Mama was sent from her 40 week appointment straight to the hospital with a high leak in her water. They started her on pitocin and 2.5 hours later he was born! After two girls, mama was hoping for a boy and it was so exciting to hear dad announce "We got our boy!". What a sweet day this was.
Just 1 week after I met Liam at the hospital I was with him again! This time I got in a little snuggle time since we were doing some newborn photos. He is a sweetie!
Liam's Fresh 48 session is a bit different from the traditional 48. Instead of waiting a day for everyone to get settled, mama requested I be there right after little man was born. I was able to document his first few hours and it was so much fun! Mama had a quick labor and I just loved watching these first time parents fall madly in love with their little guy.
Lakyn is 6 weeks younger than my daughter. We were at the hospital when she was born so it was extra fun to take a few 1 year photos of her.
