This blog post title pretty much sums up what I'm about to share. There is no place on earth that I would have rather been on March 17, 2011 at 6:50 p.m. This is the story of Levi Daniel...a precious little miracle sent from above.
This little miracle was much anticipated. Since his birth was taking place a couple hundred miles from my home, my parents gave me a cozy place to stay while awaiting his arrival. We knew he could arrive any day...and then it happened. I got a call from Shannon the evening of March 16 telling me that she had been having contractions all day long and that they were getting closer together...she was certain they would be meeting their little one within the next 24 hours. So I showered, packed up my bags, and was set and ready to go whenever I got the call that they were headed to the hospital. Around 11:30 p.m. that night, Zach called and said they were heading to the hospital. So off I went. I met them in the parking lot and we entered through the Emergency room to the birthing center. The rest is history and journaled in the photos to follow.
I hope these photos will bring you joy as they tell you the story of beauty that can come from pain. I felt so honored to have been a part of this beautiful day. Thank you, Zach and Shannon, for allowing me to document this day that will never be forgotten.
BEFORE YOU GO FURTHER...I would love for you to check out the video montage I have put together below. But if you don't have time, feel free to scroll down to view some of the photos that are in the video. I just feel like the video tells the story best. :-) They are grainy and dark, but I personally think that adds to the photos since it embraces the mood of this momentous day.
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16 comments:
These photos are truly beautiful and capture the amazing gift and arrival of this precious baby boy so perfectly! The way each moment is captured is incredible. Great job Le - and great job Shannon for making it through such a long but worthwhile birth :) Ahh! I just can't get over how great these photos are. *love*!!
Hi Leah, I'm not sure how I happened upon your site, but I'm so glad I did! Are you a Clickin Mom perhaps? Maybe I clicked through from there. Just wanted to say that these are some of the most beautiful birthing photos I've seen! Did you take all of these with your xsi and 50mm1.8? You did outstanding!
That was the most beautiful photo diary of a birth I have ever seen. Absolutely amazing.
I have chills. Those were seriously the most beautiful photos I've seen maybe ever. I love your style and your honesty. Gorgeous gorgeous stories you are telling. Thanks for sharing.
aww...thank you so, so much everyone!!! <3
Shannon -- Yes, I used my 50mm f/1.8 for these, but I have upgraded to a 50D now, so that is what I used...the XSi has been sold. :-) In hindsight, I wish I would have rented the 35mm f/1.2L to give me a wider angle and more room to work with a wider aperture, but now I know for next time. ;-) thank you for your kind words! :-)
These are gorgeous photos of such a beautiful family. Great job!
I love all of these pictures. You did an amazing job capturing the beauty of childbirth. What a beautiful little family as well. That Mama looks gorgeous the entire time, even during those painful contractions and after all those hours of labor. I wish I had pictures like this of my son's birth.
Leah - I'm not sure if you would mind, but I'd love to ask you a couple of other questions about your photography. I'm a hobbiest "momtog" and I just think that your images are some of the most beautiful I've seen. Would you be willing to email with me? My email address is shannwells@gmail.com. Please shoot me an email if you're so inclined. Love, Love, Love your style! :) Thanks in advance!
shannon, sure i'll try to help if i can. :-) and i have to make a correction on my comment...i meant to say the 35mm f/1.4L, not f/1.2L as that doesn't exist. lol
love thse!!! such a unique take on the birth experience. love this so much
Oh my. I'm not going to lie, these photos had me bawling. Brought me back to the birth of my babies. Beautiful post!
Lovely photos! :)
Holy smokes, Leah! These are phenomenal. The images, the emotion, the music. Home run, girl!
oh bummer..i just left a comment about how beautifully done these are but i didn't fill in the word verification for security reasons. ;-( what an amazing tribute to Levi! well done...i have some constructive criticism...and it has nothing to do with photography since i am a newbie-and i think your work is amazing. when i watched the video...i think the first frame reads 'emergency.' i am an advocate for homebirth and midwifery but i know its not for all women....still..giving birth is generally not an emergency. women were made to give birth and we have been successfully doing it for thousands of years. i felt the first frame sort of took away from that fact and levi's entry into this world. its simply a natural process and women do it every day...thousands of women all over the world. take it or leave it...again...i am a big proponent of home birth..and that was just my initial reaction. the photos are gorgeous. be well
jessica
Jessica -- thank you for the compliment about the photos. :-) In response to your constructive criticism, I appreciate where you are coming from. That said, the photo is merely part of telling the story -- *their story*! It was late at night and that was the only way they could enter the hospital -- through the Emergency entrance. I totally understand your point, but the photo has nothing to do with any kind of "message" I was trying to give. This was more about documenting their story and tracing their footsteps in doing so. If there had been an actual hospital sign nearby, I would have opted for a photo of that instead, but this was my first birth and I was more concerned about keeping up with the soon-to-be parents than I was about tracking down a hospital sign. But as I said, I understand where you are coming from and I will keep that in mind the next time I shoot a birth. :-) Thanks for taking the time to look, and for your kind words regarding the photos. Take care! :-)
WOW. Enough said....
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