Brantford Birth Photography

As I mentioned earlier in the summer, I’m revisiting a few of my favourite birth photography sessions over the years. I’ve photographed births at homes and hospitals and it doesn’t matter the place - every single time feels like its own sort of miracle.

Without further ado, Kelsey (and Adam’s) birth story.

When I get messages asking if I'll come document a birth, without hesitation, my answer is YES. There is something so incredibly miraculous about the process of a birth, and I consider being in the room for such a sacred moment the highest honour.

When Kelsey and Adam messaged me, we hadn't met, but we agreed to go forward with our plans, sight unseen. They eventually came over to our photo studio one cold December night so we could chat through the details and answer any questions they might have. We laughed, we bonded, and when they left, I was more excited than before to photograph the next piece of their story.

She wasn't due until December 31, so I cancelled my new year's plans and opted for a night close to home. Fast forward a week or two. I got a text from Adam the Monday before Christmas. They were at the hospital and labour had started.

I kept my phone glued to me for the rest of the morning, cancelling a couple of appointments. Birth days trump everything else!

When I got the call to come, I was ready. I actually walked to the hospital (which wasn't the plan.) But the taxi didn't show up, and I didn't want to be late. I might have actually hitchhiked for the last few blocks as well, but that's a story for another time.

I made it to the hospital room where Kelsey and Adam were calm and in good spirits. Two hours later, baby T was born, and he is a beaut.

I can easily say, it was the best Christmas gift I received this year. (Well, my sister and mom both came up for Christmas and Jonathan bought me a crockpot, so maybe we can say they all tied for first.) It was amazing and the perfect way to start the week of celebrations.

Thanks again for having me take photos of your birth, guys. I'm soooo impressed with you Kelsey. Can't wait to see photographs as he grows.

Enjoy a sneak peek of their special day.

x.

Brant Birth Photography//Welcome to the World, Baby M

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any of my birth photography, so I thought I would re-visit a few of my favourite birth photography sessions over the summer…

A few years ago when I was still new to Brantford, we met Jay-Cee at an event; she had two kids in tow. It was a brief interaction, scattered, but there was enough in those sparse moments that I immediately messaged one of my good friends and told her I'd found my Brantford person. 

For you see, Jay-Cee is vibrant, stunning, full of life. If you've been around her at all, you walk away wanting to spend more time with her as soon as possible.

Our lives - though not mirrored at all - have small resemblances and intertwining.

She met her South African husband, Ricardo, at a YWAM base in South Africa. Jonathan and I started dating in South Africa, and it is the place we've always talked about returning.

Yet we've all ended up in the small corner of the world known as Brantford.

Jay-Cee, Ricardo and their troop of gorgeous children lived in our apartment for a month or two a few years ago when we were out of town and they were transitioning homes. 

(We moved back into our apartment to find Ricardo had fixed every dent and ding in our place.)

We've done a photoshoot for them before, we run into them in random moments and reconnect in short, beautiful moments.

And then this summer Jay-Cee asked me to document the pending home-birth of their arriving baby; she was due at the beginning of September. After many messages back and forth, we had our plan - she'd text, then call if I didn't reply. I'd started bringing my camera bag home every night at the end of August, and hoped she'd deliver before I commenced school which would put me out of town for two full days of the week. (And with her anticipated short delivery time would mean I wouldn't make it. Her last labour/delivery was so speedy her husband barely made it in time.)

She told me all of their kids had been born on a Monday or a Wednesday so we looked at the possible dates on the calendar and laughed at the options.

After weeks of waiting, but on the very perfect morning of September 13 (a Wednesday - she knew), Jay-Cee messaged that it was the day for baby girl to come. They were setting up the pool and preparing, and that they'd let me know when I should come.

I arrived to find the midwife, Jay-Cee's sister, and Ricardo surrounding her, and Jay-Cee herself laughing between the pain. Despite being hours into her labouring, Jay-Cee looked as gorgeous as ever. (To help you understand the beauty of Jay-Cee and Ricardo, in between contractions, they asked about Jonathan, about our adoption process, about our business.)

And then it was time for her to push.

I cried when baby M was born, so beautiful and squishy and perfect. 

I've been at a few births, but the miracle of a new life entering the world doesn't grow old. 

I'll always remember the day sweet M was born - the sky was the deepest blue, the fields a golden yellow. It was sunny, warm, full of hope. She is so loved and so welcomed into this place.

Thanks, Jay-Cee and Ricardo for the honour of documenting this moment in your family and for allowing me to share it with the world.

xo.