I am 30 years old and feel my maternal clock ticking, especially every time that I photograph an adorable child. I photograph newborns, toddlers, school aged children...I am basically surrounded by kids all the time. I love their innocence, their honesty and their energy. They are untouched by the harshness that the world can throw at us. There is such beauty in their purity and the way that they seem to view the world.
The day that my good friend Christina found out that she was expecting her second child, she phoned me right away. Her excitement was contagious! She asked if I would photograph the birth of her baby. and without hesitation I said, "Yes. Definitely!" It was later that the realities of this request really started to sink in. I had never witnessed the actual birth of a child. I had watched TLC's "A Baby Story" with fascination from time to time, but that was the closest that I had ever come to witnessing the miracle of life. I knew that I was in for an experience that I would never forget.
In the months leading up to the due date, Christina and I discussed the logistics of my presence during the birth. We decided that during the birth I would position myself next to Christina and photograph everything from her bedside. We both agreed that I would document the moments and emotions surrounding the birth of her baby, not the "actual" birth.
On the big day, I received the call that I had been preparing for. It was go time! I met Christina and her husband, Tim, at the hospital and began to document the birth of their child. It took a little while for things to really get going but once everything was underway I was busy snapping away with my camera.
I feel like I do not have the right words to describe what it was like to be present for the birth of a child. Watching "A Baby Story" does not even begin to come close to the real thing. One minute there were six of us in the room and the next second there were seven. It was the most amazing thing that I have ever witnessed. The air in the room was thick with so many different emotions and everything seemed to be happening at warp speed. I had to remind myself a few times to keep shooting! I was in such awe of everything that was happening. I wiped tears away from behind my camera as I witnessed Tim's tears at the first sight of his new daughter. I smiled as I captured images of this brand new life with her parents.
I am so glad that I was able to document such an extraordinary event for Christina and Tim. I will never forget the moment that baby Clara came into this world. Being present for such an amazing moment has reminded me of the beauty that life has to offer.
Love Patricia
1 comment:
what a fantastic series! great job!
Post a Comment