I know that I've posted a whole lot about little Landon lately... see last two entries, but I just can't help it!
Here is little Landon at two weeks old, with his mom and dad.
What a love. (Can't possibly tell you how excited this makes me to meet our little girl! Not long now...)
This one cracks me up... somewhat like.."Yahoo, I made it to the world!" So cute!
10 days old.
Just a little something from an impromptu Sunday session to make you smile on a Monday morning (or a Sunday night, or any day for that matter).
Here is our little friend Landon, (who was supposed to sleep for this session... and of course, didn't!) just ten days into his life. More to come at a later date!
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.
