***Disclaimer***
This image is not technically “perfect”, but that is not the essence of the image. There is blood in this image, but it is not gross, and if at first all you see is a blur, then look again…
It is a blessing to be asked to photograph a birth, but to photograph the birth of a dear friends child is something incredibly special. To share in this miracle of life is very hard to put into words as it is filled with pain and joy all at the same time. But a photograph will allow you to feel the emotion for yourself. The beauty of photography for me is being able to capture those moments that you will treasure forever…the moments you may never be able to see for yourself.
A moment such as this…
Slideshow to be posted soon…
A couple disclaimers:
1. I am not used to being on the other side of the camera. I’ll be honest, I really don’t like it, but it is nice once in awhile. At least my children and grandchildren will know I was alive and what I looked like. I am almost always the one taking the pictures and recording memories and am hardly ever in the pictures–but I still don’t love getting my picture taken.
2. I am not one of those graceful, flowing, beautiful pregnant women. In fact my behind looks HUGE, my face swells up, I have 4 chins, and I am all around large. I did however really feel the need with each pregnancy to document my hugeness for posterity sake. My sister-in-law really encouraged me to just go ahead and do them so I wouldn’t have any regrets. I hadn’t gotten any pictures taken of me while I was pregnant this time. I was 4 days overdue with Carter, and on the second day of being overdue I decided I should go ahead and do those maternity pictures I had been wanting to do. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. Although I felt (and was) HUGE, I didn’t want to have any regrets.
My husband took these. He’s very supportive of my photography and was instrumental in getting me into photography. He showed me how to use the first camera we got when we had our little O and was so patient teaching me how to use it. He is very talented and has a great eye for photography.
I am SO glad we did them. I was really happy with the images and know I will cherish them forever. People, please take pictures, even snapshots when you are pregnant. I will say that even though I brake all the rules of when to take professional pictures, you should get them done about 25-30 weeks into your pregnancy so you are not as uncomfortable as I was 
Maternity pictures are some of my favorites to take…okay you’ve got me, I like taking pictures of most all stages in a family, but I really do enjoy taking maternity pictures. Pregnant women are so beautiful and it is such a special and exciting time in life.
Special thanks to my sweet husband for loving me enough to take some great maternity pictures!
I love this angle. It is flattering for almost anyone. It even gets rid of 4 chins!
Me and my three kids.
my girls.
Autumn liked to sing silly songs to my belly throughout my pregnancy. I love this images as it captures something special to our family and how we enjoyed listening to her songs. Keep that in mind when you schedule your maternity session-anything that was special during your pregnancy we should capture.
Grass fight. Let's keep it real people-while having our grass fight, Autumn got dog poop on her hands and we had to cut the photo session short.
My view. Notice the cute pedicure Every woman deserves one before they push out a baby.
Although I have taken plenty of newborn pictures before, I have never done an actual session for one of my own newborns. I know, I am talking crazy now. This is Carter’s first newborn session. Newborn sessions take a ton of patience, but are very rewarding. Most sessions are between 2 and 3 hours long. I knew Carter’s schedule so I got this one done in about 45 minutes, but they weren’t exactly what I was hoping for, but they make my heart happy. Yes, even photographers have mental block and issues with lack of creativity when it comes to their own children’s pictures. I think being completely exhausted doesn’t help much. These were done on day 12. It is very important to do newborn pictures within the first 2 weeks of life as that is when they are the most sleepy and moldable. I should have done them the first week, but I was too spent.
Photography Tip- Using Light: Newborns photograph best in front of a window using natural light and NO flash. Our new rental house has TERRIBLE natural light. I had to look for the best light in each of the rooms during different times of the day. I actually had a very small space to work in due to the light available. Try to look for the best non-direct natural light you can find. You don’t want to have sun streaming in, you want light without direct sun. Look in each room during different times a day to determine which room and time is best to photograph in. Really try to see light in a new way. Also, you can use a beanbag to pose and scrunch newborns a little bit as well.
After feeling like I had been pregnant FOREVER, I finally had this little guy. A 6 hour labor with the support of my sweet husband, amazing mother-in-law (she birthed him, she is a midwife), precious friends and my awesome family (my mom and sister watched via Skype) he was born. It was a fabulous birth experience at Austin Area Birthing Center (huge thanks to Anabel, who was also super amazing). Chinell was there to capture the whole thing. I am sure she’ll be posting some pictures of the experience soon. More on the labor and delivery to come.
Introducing Carter Warren. Born Febuary 19th, 3:13 a.m., 8lbs 13 oz, 22 inches long
Here is a quick picture of the little man. He has a TON of hair. I’ll be taking more soon and posting some maternity pictures soon as well. This is what every photographer wants to see from her precious subject in the first 2 days! Can you believe this kid!
The M family was so much fun to photograph. They were playful and easy going. And my little “No, No” three year old friend taught me a thing or two about capturing smiles…or should I say not capturing smiles. He is the cutest little three year old with a mohawk I have ever seen.
The little lady is sweet as a princess, yet tough as, well as a princess who has an older and younger brother.
Here is big brother, who is full of joy and has a smile that never goes away. I actually had to ask him not to smile…and I still got this little grin.
I was able to get a few images of mom and dad as the M children wanted to explore the creek and climb trees.
Family images
Ladies, some of you are hesitant to get maternity photographs taken, trust me it is doubtful you will be even close to as large as I am at 24 weeks. These were taken just yesterday. Yes, I am only 24 weeks, I look 35 or 40 though Seriously though, every woman should have some beautiful maternity pictures taken. We typically take them between 28-34 weeks so you feel pregnant, are definitely looking pregnant, and your belly is super cute. We can still take them later in pregnancy, but usually women are exausted and sick of being pregnant. I should have taken mine 6 or 7 weeks ago :)
It was such an honor to photography my good friends Ryan and Wendy and their precious girls. Their girls are amazing and I just loved getting to spend some one on one time with them. M warmed up pretty quickly, but R did not want to have anything to do with pictures. It was such fun session and I always love a challenge of a little one (or sometimes it is the dad) that doesn’t want to participate. Thanks for allowing me to capture your amazing family!! I had a blast and can’t wait to show you guys the rest!!!
I always love to get images of just mom and dad.
by Chinell Darling
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