Baby Landon enters the world.

I thought I knew about babies being born. I thought, "I've seen a million episodes of the baby story, I get it". No actually, I had no idea, and although I've now been through 14 hours of labor beside a friend and witnessed a real live birth... I still don't know the first thing about it.

What I do know, for sure, is... women are amazing. Stacey was in labor for somewhere near 36 hours. We had decided weeks ago that I would be there to photograph the delivery. I was called at 8am on January 14, 2010. I didn't leave the hospital until after 10pm on the same day. That wasn't necessarily in the plan, especially being 30 weeks pregnant myself. But I wouldn't take back a single second of it. If you've ever been a part of a 'baby story' you'll know what I mean in saying it is life altering and absolutely incredible. I was also unbelievably honored to be given the kind of immense trust to be aloud into such intimate and emotional moments. This was one of the most rewarding, special, and not to mention beautiful experiences of my life. One more thing, before I leave you with a slideshow of the experience... Midwives are AMAZING. I love my midwife and also Stacey's. We should all be so lucky to have these insanely gifted women in our lives. Thank you so much to Stacey and Eddie for allowing me to post this slideshow as well.

I am forever changed.

**If you are visiting this post from USA please view video without music.. by clicking HERE.*** The songs are Feels like home by Edwina Hayes and Lullaby by the Dixie Chicks.

Maternity: Self portrait style.

If I can ask my amazing clients to share their intimate maternity images on my blog, I suppose, it is only fair, that I ask myself to do the same. With just over two months until we meet our little girl, here we are in our studio, with nothing but a little light and a little clothing.

To grow a baby

You may recall the beautiful Tiffany and handsome Braden from their amazing wedding in 2008. Knowing Tiffany for, forever its pretty fabulous to be carrying babies at the same time. Its also nice to get talking about the whole process. I've been thinking a lot lately about pregnancy.

As human beings, generally... we don't really know the first thing about actually growing a baby. I don't know how to make eyes, or hair, or more importantly vital organs, but apparently our bodies do. Women's bodies just know, and without any input from the brain, or logic or reason... a baby is created. That, in itself is incredible, and absolutely deserves to be celebrated. One thing I know for sure about pregnancy now, after going through the experience myself is that there are a whole lot of NOT very glamorous moments involved. It isn't just beautiful photos of a gorgeous belly and then a perfect little baby a month later. There is a lot of struggle, there are emotions, there are countless physical challenges, nervous breakdowns, tears, endless fears, worries and an amazing amount of 'firsts'. I absolutely get it.

More than ever, I now appreciate and realize the intense value in maternity photos. In capturing a glimpse of the beauty of growing a baby. The magic in setting aside the struggles and challenges, and just simply appreciating the beauty of what is happening within the female body. Not to mention, allowing a woman going through so much, to see herself in a different light... my lights.

There are big miracles in life, medical miracles, and unbelievable stories of survival against all odds. Its no secret that pregnancy is a miracle. But I also believe it is a miracle that we fall asleep at night and wake up breathing in the morning. That our bodies carry us around in this world day after day, put up with our clumsiness, bad habits and keep that heart beating and oxygen flowing, all without any intellectual input from us. We think we are cool, or in control, or clever... but at the end of the day we are nothing without our little beating hearts. So, along the same lines when carrying a baby inside your belly you can try and read as many books as possible, you can be the smartest in your prenatal class, know all the terms... but when it really comes down to it, we have very little control over our pregnancies. Our bodies will grow these babies, and then deliver them. Wild.

Here are some of my beautiful friend and her husband a month before their due date. I'm so excited to meet your little one, and see what a marvel you've created together.

Maternal Instincts

Stacey and I have been traveling through our pregnancy journeys side by side. Its a nice feeling to have someone going through virtually the same things you are at the same time. Pre-natal yoga, massages, A&W teen burgers and the occasional donut or blizzard... oops, I mean long dog walks and healthy outdoor activities. But seriously, its awesome to know that you are not the only one in the world going through something. That tends to be the case in most situations. Its always nice to know that you are not alone.

When I start having mild panic attacks about how in the world we are going to be as parents, how its going to be delivering a baby, nursing, staying somewhat calm, balancing wild Vizsla pup, relationship, running my business, shooting weddings etc... I continually fall back on... I'm certainly NOT the first person to ever be a mother. Every time I think about how many women give birth to babies.. daily, repeatedly even. I am instantly ok. I am not alone.

I think one of the most beautiful things I've come across recently was a comment Stacey's mom made while viewing her maternity images. Jill wrote..

"I sometimes feel like this is surreal - that my baby is now having a baby - you look so beautiful in these pictures - you will be such a wonderful mother, and Eddie such a great father. We can't wait to meet our first grandchild - I only hope that I will be as great a grandmother as my mom was for you."

So on that note... I give you a few of my favorite images from Eddie and Stacey's maternity session. I look forward to more firsts with you guys as we embark side by side on this wild adventure. What a ride its been so far. Doesn't she look amazing? And my personal favorite.

Best of 2009: Outdoor Maternity

This year, I started doing a lot more outdoor maternity sessions. It quickly became a huge joy for me. Not only are the women carrying these babies stunningly gorgeous... but even more so combined with the beauty of the outdoors, the glowy sunlight, and their shining spirits. Meet my favorite images of outdoor maternity sessions on Vancouver Island of 2009. There are also more favorites here from 2011 http://www.erinwallis.com/blog/2012/01/2011maternity-favorites/ **Cans for comments still going strong!!**