There’s nothing like seeing the face of a father as he looks at his child for the first time. In honor of Father’s Day, I pulled together some photos I have of new dads and their babies taken within minutes of birth. Enjoy!

Last year I was able to capture the peaceful home water birth of this sweet little boy. His mama is a doula herself as well as childbirth educator and co-founder of BabyLove. Along with midwife Aly Folin and her team from North Star Midwifery, this baby was greeted by dad,big-sister, grandma, an aunt and friends.

Things I loved about this birth:

• The look of peace on mom’s face as she labored in the tub
• Dad supporting mom in labor – even getting in the birth tub himself
• Pictures of the baby being born into the water and emerging from water into his mom’s arms
• Mom’s face after the birth
• The delight on big sister’s face when his saw her brother

Thank you to Brittany and her family for inviting me to share in such a special day!

In the wee hours of the night I received the call to come to the hospital. I was excited for several reasons. Mom was a nurse and knew the birthing process well. It was likely to be a water birth – my first captured in a hospital setting. The couple were very down to earth and kind. I was excited to be able to capture the birth of their third child and first son.

Side note – when the midwife walked in I swore I knew her from somewhere, but couldn’t instantly place her. When I was about to leave, it hit me. She had been the midwife at my second birth seven years earlier. Small world!

2012 was a great year for births at Megan Crown Photography! I was honored to be asked to capture fourteen births. Here is how it all broke down:
Singletons: 13
Twins: 1
Girls: 7
Boys: 8
Home births: 5
Planned hospital births: 7
Transfers to the hospital: 2
Planned midwife attended births: 13
Planned OB attended births: 1
Births attended by midwives: 10
Births attended by doctors: 4
Water Births: 6
Vaginal Births: 13
C-sections: 1
Inductions: 2
Non-medicated births: 9
Shortest time at a birth: 3 hours
Longest time at a birth: 35+ hours (I lost track after a while)

Some “firsts” for me in 2012 included the birth of twins, a breech birth and attending a hospital transfer. Thank you to all my birth clients who invited me to be present to capture such a special event. Thank you to all the midwives, doctors nurses, doulas who were supportive (or at least tolerant) of my presence. I can’t wait to see what 2013 brings – a birth center birth perhaps??? PRETTY PLEASE =)

When I met this couple, they were expecting their fifth child. In talking with them it became clear that birth was a family event that was cherished and celebrated. Their other children would be there, each having a role at the birth of their brother. Mom wanted something she hadn’t been able to get at previous births – beautiful photographs of this special family event, tender moments laboring with the support of her husband, the joy & excitement on everyone’s face when meeting their new family member, each person’s participation . . . I left thinking how awesome it was that I might be able to not only witness such a lovely event, but that I could provide this family with something they could look back on for years and years.

Baby Ethan was welcomed by family, friends and the wonderful women of Trillium Midwifery Care. The birth day was FULL of amazing moments. I will try to touch of some of the most poignant. . .

Look how happy this mom is. . . this is what birth can be like! Love it!

Sibling getting a little special time with their new brother. . .

Each child had a “role” at the birth – videotaping, cutting the cord, giving brother his new little hat and weighing the baby!

In anticipation of the birth, mom baked two apple pies. Everyone got to sit in the bedroom and eat a piece!

One of the funnest moments was witnessing the youngest girls’ reaction to the midwife student describing the placenta. After watching her, they wanted to check it out for themselves – so they put on gloves and explored!

I leave off with this image. It shows exactly what I imagined this mom wanted to be able to look back and remember – her surrounded by her husband and all her children, marveling over the birth of the newest family member. Welcome baby Ethan!

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!

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