This is the day when two became three and I witnessed my best friends as they saw their child for the first time. I laughed and cried and ate ramen noodles while I sat in bed that night and reveled in what I had just experienced. They say that childbirth is a miracle, they don’t lie. This is the story of how Adelaide Elle entered the world in the most real, raw, and authentic way. This is the day where I tried something new and was challenged in my craft. This is the day where I fell in love harder with the gift of photography and the opportunities my camera has given me. This is the day that the world was blessed with one beautiful little girl.

 Turn on your sound, grab a coffee, get some kleenex and hit play. This is my most favorite video in the history of ever.

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We sat on our couch on a Sunday afternoon wearing sweatpants and talking life and how it was about to change – Meghan and Cullen were expecting a babe and we knew things would be a little bit different for them (okay, a lot a bit, but in an amazing way!) We started talking about birth and somehow we got on the subject of birth photography, it wasn’t something I ever planned to do – in fact, it was so far from my mind that I hadn’t ever really considered it. The thing about birth photography is that it can either be done really well or quite terribly. We agreed that it was something that needed to be cautiously done and talked about the possibility of telling Meghan’s birth story. As the due date started getting closer, we got more serious about our talks, I had offered and they wanted me there. After I got over the initial mind-blowing fact that someone trusted me enough to be in the room with them when they went through labor and delivery, I started to get excited about this challenge. It was a stretch for me and something that I wanted to do for two of our best friends, my fingers were crossed that everything would pan out and I could be there. 

I woke up on Wednesday morning at 6:30AM to find a text from Meg saying her water had broke and they were at the hospital. I was too wired to go back to sleep and so all day I awaited the message telling me to pack my stuff and get there. Things were happening pretty slowly and they didn’t want to make we sit around for hours but at that point I just wanted to be there in case things stated to happen. After waiting for four more hours of resting, conversation, and some good laughs Meg was finally ready to start pushing and meet her little girl. Being a woman who hasn’t really explored the idea of parenthood and a former wanna-be surgeon, I was amazed at everything that goes into a birth. I kind of want to run a lap around the world and high five every mom on the planet, you guys are amazing (seriously, amazing.) I channelled my inner nurse as I got to watch the process unfold (my mom would have been proud!) Meghan was a champ, I hear that all the time when people have babies but she seriously was incredible. Never complaining, always smiling, and so darn strong. We quickly realized that baby girl was coming faster than anticipated so after a somewhat frantic call to the doctor who was on his way to the hospital (um, hurry up doc) Meg finally got to hold her sweet girl for the first time while Cullen looked on with so much pride in his tear filled eyes. 

The experience was something I will never, ever forget. It was a miracle and beautiful and mind blowing and crazy all balled into one. I got to see what people mean when they fall in love the moment they hold their baby and I watched as two became three in front of my eyes. The amount of emotion in that room was ridiculous and the whole experience makes me weep like a hormonal girl watching the Notebook for the first time. I laugh because I have gotten so many questions about shooting a birth, yes guys, I do know where babies come out of. The truth is, after shooting shoes and dresses and flowers and rings, seeing something so life changing and raw and authentic and beautiful made my heart beat fast.

Being able to create images and a film for the day they met their beautiful and perfect Adelaide is priceless. Sure, it wasn’t my normal, but it was a stretching and challenging day that made me fall more in love with what I do – preserve moments forever. As I sat there and cried pulling together the footage for the film, I knew that I had created something more than art. It was a collection of memories that tell a life changing story, a way to preserve one of the most precious days on the planet for this family. Knowing that Meghan and Cullen could fully engage and be present in the moment without trying to take a blurry iPhone photo to announce the birth of their baby girl was priceless in itself. I truly believe every couple deserves to have beautiful images of such fleeting moments and being in the presence of such a life changing day was a miracle in itself. Welcome to the world, Addie, you are already so incredibly loved. I can’t wait to tell you the story of the day you were born, the day I got to be one of the first people to meet you. You are perfect in every way. 

 Special thanks to Meghan and Cullen for allowing me to share their beautiful story! Additional gratitude to the amazing staff at Aurora who welcomed me and my camera with open arms. 

See more of the beautiful ways of this world, everyday holds a miracle:

• Cullen + Meghan – Maternity Session
• SURPRISE!!!! (No, I’m not pregnant)
• The New Girl on the Block: Jenna Marie
• Take it Off