It is always such an honor to be invited into a home to take photos of a brand new baby. This session is my second of my newest offering – Fresh48 – where the session happens within the first 48 hours after birth. Little Quinn was just two days new! He was welcomed by big brothers and a big sister with lots of smiles and enthusiasm. I am sure in no time he will have them all wrapped around his little fingers!

I am so excited to not only announce but SHOW my newest offering – Fresh48 sessions. A Fresh48 session is for those who do not want the entire birth photographed or just want high-quality, documentary style photography of their new baby. This session happens during daytime hours within the first 48 hours of birth. Just like a birth session, it’s done documentary style with me coming to wherever you are – be it the hospital, birth center or your home. Fresh48 sessions last about an hour and include a disc of 20+ fully edited high-resolution images on a disc with print rights as well as a 5×7 proof of each image.

Here is a session I shot just two weeks ago for a family who had a lovely home birth just 24 hours before the shoot. I love the excitement the two older brothers had when they got home and were reunited with their new little brother!

Baby Raya decided she was coming out whether or not any of us were there! I am thankful that mom and baby were able to hold out long enough for the midwives, the husband and myself to get to the scene. Here are a couple sneak peeks of this beautiful home birth:

He took his time getting here, but it was totally worth the wait! Here is a sneak peek at the little guy I got to greet along with his parents this morning. . .

I can’t tell you how excited I saw when I was invited to photograph this home birth. I had taken pictures at hospital births, but never at a home birth. It took forever for November to arrive. . . and then finally it happened. I got the call. What can I say but it was amazing!?! And just what this mama wanted for this birth  . . .

Initially the mom called me on Wednesday morning. Soon after I got there, she started laboring in the tub. She was doing great – relaxing and breathing through each contraction. Then somewhere along the way things started to slow down. Her midwife, Kate of Twin Cities Midwifery, suggested everyone leave to give her space and time. I anxiously waited for the call to come back, but to my amazement it didn’t happen. As I went to bed I was sure I will get the call in the middle of the night, however I woke up rested from a full night’s sleep.

Amazingly this continued until finally on Saturday I got a from Kate – the mom felt like she was ready to push! I jumped in the car and drove straight there. As I entered the space, I was relieved to see I had not missed the birth.

The living room was pretty dark with the exception of the midwife’s flashlight, a candle and one lamp. I got out my best lens for the conditions and started shooting. Just ten minutes after arriving the father and Kate caught a beautiful baby boy.

About two hours after the birth, after mama and baby and dad all had time cuddling, nursing, getting to know one another, Kate conducted the newborn exam. It confirmed what we already knew – this baby was big – 10-pounds big! Can just check out that chubby face . . . so so sweet!

So many thanks to the parents for inviting me into their home for such a special event. It was a wonderful experience! And thanks to Kate and her team for being so welcoming and supportive of birth photography!

I can’t believe what I received today in the mail box. Among some other things that I will blog about tomorrow, I received these four marketing items I ordered. Wow – I just LOVE the way they turned out!  They are 8×8 inch metallic prints on black styrene to make them sturdy.

Special thanks to Michele of Pinkletoes4Photographers for the awesome templates.

As I was updating my portfolio with new birth photos, I ran across this one of my friend. I was blessed to be a part of not one but two of her births. The first time around I was still shooting 35mm – so most of the birth was shot on film with just a couple digital shots I got from my “new” digital camera. I am not sure I even have a picture from that birth in my portfolio (something to add to my to-do list).

By the time second time around, I was all digital which was good because the lighting conditions were particularly poor. My friend, whose water had broken 35.5 weeks, had to give birth in an O.R. as a precaution. The room was dark and with spotlight aimed where the doctor needed to see. However despite the challenges of the environment, the pictures still convey what was intended – what this birth mom needed – documentation of her third child’s birth.

This picture is a favorite of mine. It reminds me of one of the most amazing things about being a birth photographer – capturing uncensored emotion. The joy, excitement and love in her eyes and the connection she is sharing with her husband at this moment melts my heart every time I see it. It is here where I found my calling.

After many, many hours of labor Baby Cullen was born – not quite how we expected – but safe and sound. Here is a little sneak peek . . .

Thank you so much to Joy and Paul for letting me share in your son’s birth day. Thank you also to their Doula Jenica who helped make it possible for me to be in the O.R. to capture  photos for this wonderful family.

Baby Cullen
born June 4th at 6:07am
weighing 8 pounds, 15.2 ounces and measuring 22 inches long