Showing posts with label brand new day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brand new day. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

reality

Desiree and I photograph all types of things. I have mentioned a number of times how much I enjoy photographing our connection sessions. As a couple, Desiree and I like these probably more than anything else we shoot together.
On my own, I love photographing more surreal images. I like creating something that doesn't exist, or something that could exist.
Desiree, on the other hand, enjoys photographing reality. She loves the emotion, the connection, the reality that makes life what it is. She doesn't do a whole lot of posing, doesn't really use props, she just photographs what is going on.
If you read this blog you have probably read the posts about the the New Day sessions that Desiree does. She photographs live births, in the hospital or at home. She photographs the nerves and the anticipation leading up to the birth and then the overwhelming joy that follows!

She also enjoys newborn sessions, within the first week or two of birth. Families who contact Desiree for their newborn sessions want life, captured. They want the reality of the emotion and the connection that they have with their new baby.

David and Angela, were married a few years back and we were able to be there to witness their two lives joining together. They recently had their first baby; beautiful baby Lola. Desiree had the chance to photograph the three of them recently. It's funny when you photograph reality, you need to be ready for anything; crying, sleeping, nursing, changing diapers, puking, and crying some more.

Because of the nature of 'getting pictures taken' people often see the crying baby, or the grouchy toddler and think 'Oh, no' all the pictures are going to be of a crying or grumpy baby. Sometimes even Desiree comes home from a shoot and questions weather or not she was able to capture something that that family would really love. I guess we all, to an extent, do that. We tend to focus on the situational negatives and don't see all the positives that are happening around us. At least we tend to dwell on the negatives after the fact and they seem to outweigh the positives.
So, when Desiree came home from photographing baby Lola and her parents, she was concerned that because Lola was awake for the majority of the session and got a bit fussy during part of it, that she would have nothing more than a crying, fussing baby.
Anyway, I got into sorting the images this morning and found that most of the images were those beautiful reality capturing images. Yes there were some crying images but even those were pretty cute, and showed that slice of life the David and Angela are experiencing.
Anyway, the thing about it is, reality is just that, real; in all of its varying forms. Capturing that means capturing the crying, laughing, kissing, hugging, pooping, sneezing, etc.
And all of that life is what, even though it may cause for some worries after shoots, inspires Desiree, again and again.

Congratulations David and Angela on your absolutely beautiful baby girl!!!







































Friday, August 19, 2011

Hey Jude...welcome to the world

I stopped into the hospital to check and see how Dan & Andrea were doing, before the hard labor begins when there is still laughing and story telling,  Dan and I are talking about how crazy my work schedule tends to get and he said, 'and why you still want to do this?' Meaning show up at middle-of-the-night-thirty and photograph a baby joining this world?!  I answered him, you'll see!
 I went home for a few hours to try to get some sleep hoping that it wouldn't be too long until I received the text saying it's time! A few texts "she is progressing well, probably a few more hours" and then at 4:45am: "she's at a ten, game on!?  I hopped out of bed and rushed to the hospital.  Arriving there, I found Andrea in bed finding some relief from her pain with an epidural. A few nervous, soon to be grandpas and grandmas,  stood by ready to meet their grand-baby.  I am always amazed at the process a woman instinctively knows, they listen to their bodies and know what to do to bring their baby into the world.  We watched her struggle and hurt and strain every muscle, I watched as Dan anguished seeing his wife hurt and knowing there wasn't anything he could do to relieve that pain, only time could do that. I saw him stroking her arm, whispering words of encouragement  And just when you think that's enough, that she can't possibly handle anymore, I  hear the midwife say, "five more good pushes and you will get to meet your baby, you can do this!" After two hours of extreme strength, he was here.  And that pain is eased and will soon be forgotten, I hear a baby take his first breath and make a good cry, and as I survey the room that miracle of the life amazes all present.  And then joy erupts, laughter returns, tears fall freely, hugs and kisses of congratulations are given.  They get to hold him for the first time, and this baby who has been a part of them for nine months gets to see them and they get to meet him.
A few minutes later, Dan looks up at Andrea and the other women in the room and, in awe, simply states "You women, I don't know how you do it, you are amazing."
And I said, 'see, this is why I do it!'
Welcome to the world little one, and congratulations to Dan & Andrea.

-Desiree










































































If you or someone you know might be interested in birth photography, I would love to share in their brand New Day.