Today is this girl’s last day of High School. I know exactly what her mom is feeling. Mixed feelings of joy and sadness as one chapter closes and another begins.
Oh, the places she’ll go… when we let go and let them! Congrats Erynn. God speed.
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Beth and Alex’s home birth story
*MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN OR THE WEAK AT HEART*
a few weeks ago I got to experience an awesome birth story. It was actually a HVBAC- Home Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, which is not very common, at least in my world!
Beth had an amazing birth team of her Doula, midwife apprentice and business partner at Integrated Massage, Jennifer; her midwife Barbara, and another apprentice midwife.
Watching these women work together, along with Beth’s husband, to bring sweet baby into the world at home was just breathtaking. Here is a look from my view of the whole experience
When I arrived at 4:40 am Beth’s water had broken a few hours prior. We learned she was about 4 cm dilated. I captured a few images of that early labor, then headed home to nap for a bit as she continued to rest in between contractions.
When I came back that afternoon, she had walked, showered and changed. Still working on bringing her baby into the world as naturally as possible. these moments of intense connection..
40.6 weeks. This is what full term pregnancy looks like. What a BEAUTIFUL thing! The couple opted for full surprise of the baby’s gender, which I’m sure helped get her through moments of intensity in labor.
So, a little story about the bracelets Alex and Beth are wearing: During her pregnancy her friend Jen (also her midwife and doula as mentioned above) threw Beth a Blessing Way. It’s a Native American tradition that honors the divine feminine as a nurturer. The bracelets were part of what’s called “the web of life”. It started as a ball of yarn, the first piece wrapped around Beth’s wrist and as she wrapped it around she said “My name is Beth, daughter of Maureen, granddaughter of Rose and Dorothy”, and then it was passed to another person in the circle, and they wrapped it around their wrist stating the same of their family heritage, and so on, until everyone was connected. Once connected the strings were cut and symbolized life to come. Once the baby was born, they were able to be cut off. as moments of baby’s arrival got closer the water was heated and preparation to bring baby earthside was getting more intense.
Every possible position was used to help baby come down into teh birth canal. They knew she would be quite a bit bigger than her 19 month old sister as sister was born via emergency C at just 34 weeks. This whole labor and pain thing was new to Beth and she handled it like a champ.
Midwife Barbara decided to get the birthing chair out and THAT was just the angle Beth needed to bring her baby into the world!
I have photographed dozens of births over the last 12 years and though this was my first home birth, EVERY birth is a miracle! I am always in so much awe watching LIFE. and … IT”S A GIRL!!!!!
Penny Rose was born at 4:24 amthat moment when you hold your baby for the first time. When you realize every ounce of everything you just went for was for THIS. THIS moment.
I mean, come on!! Most adorable “scale” ever!
and.. at 11.5 pounds… So, I was able to go back a couple days later for some more images. I mean, a 27 hour labor left everyone pretty tired so, a couple days to rest was in order!
I just love FRESH BABY sessions, at the hospital or at home within 48 hours or so of birth. They change so much in the first wee or two, these first hours are most precious to preserve.
sweet baby toes.. OH MY… I just can’t!! Alex and Beth, thank you both so much for allowing me to be there to witness your miracle, and to share it here.
xoxo
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Sarah & Corey {a downtown LOVE session}
I met Sarah & Corey three weeks ago, and I’m spending the day with them Saturday to shoot their wedding! Typically clients book about a year or more in advance, but these two are on the ball and wasting no time!
Sarah works downtown Toledo and loves the whole atmosphere so it was a great location choice for their {LOVE} session!
Here is their story from Sarah;s heart:
Corey & I first met at a Music and Arts Festival in 2011 and it was not love at first sight. We reconnected a year later when we went to see one of our favorite musician duos play at the Clazel and then the journey really began. At the 2014 Rootwire Music & Arts Festival some magic really went down… I tried on a ring made by a wire wrap artist passing through with some very unique pieces of jewelry. Looking at it longingly, I said “If only I had an extra $100.00 to blow on something like this”. I turned my attention as the artist ventured away and Corey chased him down without me knowing to purchase that same ring. On July 20th, under the light of the stars and surrounded by the kindness and love of new friends, Corey swept me off my feet. Corey looked me in the eyes and said, “You know I’m going to love you forever right?”. I replied,”Of course, and I will love you forever too.” Then he popped the question. It took me completely by surprise when he pulled the ring out of his pocket and I realized what was happening. After giving several sweet kisses of disbelief and bliss we announced to our friends I said “YES!!” and everyone under the tent cheered! This weekend I have the honor and joy of marrying the man who has never failed to love me unconditionally and I absolutely can’t wait to be his wife who returns all of that love.
Why do I call it a {LOVE} session? Well, because often clients would tell me they have been engaged for a while and don’t need a session, or they’ve already had one done by a friend.
I firmly believe in getting to know my clients well before the wedding day so we can build a bond, click, and I can gain an understanding on what they like (and maybe don’t) well before the big event. I know I, myself, get SUPER nervous in front of a camera and need time to warm up! This way, clients come to know how I direct and gently guide to capture those fun yet natural looking moments! So, since I want to capture the {LOVE}, that’s what I call these sessions, because that’s what it’s all about! I love LOVE!
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Welcome Home {baby} Miles
Birth photography is quickly becoming my specialty of choice! After a birth, I am so excited to
meet the parents at home with new baby, welcoming all the changes bringing a baby home entails. A quick little portrait session in the master room, and sometimes baby nursery is so meaningful and personal.
Oh, but those first smiles.
Dad’s arms, so strong, yet gentle. Loving hands that cradle baby’s still delicate head.
Welcome home Miles. Welcome home.
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At home with baby B
I can’t tell you how excited I am to post this sweet little family’s images on the blog.
I started out being hired to photograph the birth of Benjamin, their fourth child and first boy. We began with her maternity session which was actually a beautiful milk bath session (posted here)
Julia delivers SUPER FAST, and by super fast I mean, her second child was born in her hallway at home by the firemen! We kept in close contact those last couple weeks because she knows how fast she goes and I needed to be on the ready. The other birth photog they had hired for the last two births had missed them because of that as well, so I wanted to be sure to run.
The only days I wasn’t available are the weekend of September 25,26,27, as my son was getting married that Saturday and I was shooting another wedding Sunday. No problem she said.. She had planned on going in the 28 Monday. (she knows her body!) On Friday night she said “No worries, I don’t think he will arrive before Monday”.
Saturday morning at 7:30a.m. her hubby called and said it was time. 
I was so bummed.. if it wasn’t my own son’s wedding and if I didn’t have my hair and makeup person coming in an hour I would have went. And I should have. She delivered 10 minutes after they arrived at the hospital!
That’s only the second birth I have missed in 12 years! UGH.
Nonetheless, we changed the packaged to a lifestyle session at home and I am SO PLEASED at how it came out!
Enjoy!
I was so glad Craig was able to come home for a bit to join in. Then we got some snuggles in with big sister when she woke up from her nap.
I completely adore how big sissy jumped up with her bottle as baby B was nursing… sweetest moments captured are those unplanned. These moments.. these precious, fleeting moments..
The days are loooong, but they go by in a blink.
Thank you Brandi of Beauty By Brandi for the makeup that day that helped Julia feel so pretty as a new mommy again!
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Beautiful subject of course! my lovely great niece Erynn! Julie you always take such terrific photos!