I met Leslie and Patrick about 7 months ago for a family session in which she told me she was expecting her 3rd. I loved their session and little family. There are some people on this Earth that you feel immediately connected and comfortable with. I feel that way with Leslie. I read some passage once about how tribes roaming the Earth were split up but you always know and feel when you meet someone from your former tribe. Deep, eh? Well, Leslie is from my tribe.
One of my dreams was to photograph a birth. I get birth. You don’t get the beauty and miracle of birth until you are on round two or three. At least I didn’t. Put it this way – there is no way in H*E* doublehockeysticks – that a photographer would be in the same room with me during my first delivery. But once I was pregnant with my 4th I realized that the swollen ankles, the double chin and the giant thighs were just the battle scars of the amazing journey. The journey that I only found amazing and humbling AFTER I had the baby. While I was pregnant I wanted to kill someone…
So long story short I asked Leslie and Patrick if I could be in the room while they had their 3rd baby. I felt comfortable asking because she’s from my tribe. And they said yes. It’s something I want to offer. I think it is as important as wedding photos. I want to offer a classy simple book filled with a few maternity, a lot of birth and a few newborn images. I’m still figuring out the details but I think it’s important. And meaningful. Totally something you would grab if your house was on fire.
So here is Part 1 of Leslie and Patrick’s journey …
Stay tuned over the next couple of days for the rest. Unless you have a heart of stone you will be moved and blubbering. I don’t cry much but everytime I go to work on these photos I get choked up a time or two.
Oh and for these maternity images – Leslie couldn’t move. Seriously. The baby was sitting on a nerve that left her totally incapacitated. Like 110 year old lady, lol. I felt so sorry for her. So her maternity shots consist of getting out of the car and facing one direction. Then turning around facing the other direction.
Want a sneak peek of what’s to come?
Somewhere along the way it became a tradition to go to House of Japan for birthdays. Love. that. place. I love it because the food is yummy and predictable and because my kids A) eat and B) are entertained and honestly that is all I need. Most of the time when we go to restaurants I feel as though I need to be paid. Not here.
We usually wait for Grandma and PaPa to come up – they have become part of the tradition too. Love that. So I finally felt like I should document it.
A few notes about these images. Bad light. Brynn and Ellie were beside me – I only took pictures of what was in front of me in between giant bites:) Bad mom. It is still a novelty to me that Brad needs reading glasses. I think he’s HOT in them. That is my dad content. Imagine what he looks like mad, lol. No one could make me cry faster when I was a teenager. EVERY SINGLE MEAL he takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes. And every single one of my 3 year olds hid when it was time for the volcano.
What a fun session this was. It is so fun to finally meet the people you talk on the phone with. Pallawi called me two months in advance to schedule her session around her parents arrival from India. Guess what day I scheduled the session on without noticing? My husband’s 50th birthday, lol. so we had to bump it back a few days, but it worked out perfectly.
Pallawi and Bhushan were the NICEST people. I loved how they looked at each other. Great great connection. Lots of laughter. So natural in front of the camera. Dreamy. Loved how cute and festive the baby’s room was. They are going to make a beautiful little boy:)
Pallawi has only gained her cute little 25 pounds (the weight one of my thighs gains while I’m pregnant). She was stunning.
Pallawi’s MOM and DAD (traditional and modest people) were standing 2 feet behind me during this shot. It made me soooo nervous and twitchy (can you imagine what they were wondering about me, heehee), but I am so glad I went for it because I love this shot:)
love. love. love .love. love love.love the next one….
Speaking of mom and dad …
Indian jewelry is my favorite. This necklace symbolizes that she is married. How cute is that picture of her dad? He was one you had to sneak up on. And I conquered.
So many amazing shots from this session but these next three are my favorites.
Thank you for calling me and trusting me Pallawi and Bhushan! It was so nice to meet you. I can’t wait to hear how your labor and delivery went – hope that little stinker has turned and you get your natural childbirth (even though you are a CRAZY WOMAN).
So Caron (mom) emails me to see if I could take some family photos before their son was deployed to Afghanistan.
Ummm. Yes.
Most of the time my job is super fun, carefree and happy … but then there are those few sessions that stop me and make me think and think and think because of their importance and value. This was one of them. The pride they have for Brandon could honestly be felt, it was a privilege to hang with them and experience it. But I know with their pride is a mountain of worry because unfortunately for Caron (and Stacey and Doug) he is not a mechanic or cook. No. He had to pick BOMBS to be his thing. Boys have no idea how much they stress mother’s out. No idea.
Smokin!
You might recognize Stacey from her Senior pics with her horse. Those were THE FUNNEST EVER Senior images I have taken to date and it almost didn’t happen because I was a big baby and cold that day and wanted to reschedule (rainyish) but they wouldn’t let me:) And here she is still as stunning as ever……
These two out takes have made me laugh and laugh and laugh.
The last time these two have had their pictures taken together (other than the standard wedding and reunion) WAS AT THEIR WEDDING!! Crazy and wrong. I love the one on the left for some reason. Love it.
Thanks for calling Caron. Perfect night wasn’t it? Good to get to know you better Doug (even though you have issues with looking AT the CAMERA). Stacey, you crack me up. period. Godspeed Brandon.
by Cathy
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