It's been over a week, and I haven't written about my birth photography session yet! Ah!
Dear internet, there is something you all must know about being at a birth... it is the most amazing thing in the world. I feel truly honored and inspired every time I attend one. And even though I have to carry around that dang cell phone all week, getting silly text messages from Dave that are meant for my husband, it is always more than worth it.
I love the stillness of birth. The house, the room, is always still... waiting.
I love the smell of birth. It smells like hot water and candlelight.
I love the midwives. I hadn't photographed at a birth for awhile, and when the midwife arrived (for those of you in the know, it was Jeannie), she looked really happy to see me, like we were old friends. And my friend Sarah was there too, and she is the most wonderful midwife in the entire universe. I am always amazed at the amount of work midwives do, and I often wonder how I got along without them during my last birth (an intentionally unassisted birth).
Jeannie hugged me right before I left too. I liked that.
Sometimes I feel like a voyeur, taking pictures. Like I'm not really supposed to be a part of it. I think about my feelings during my last birth... how I wanted to be alone, no one watching... and I transfer some of those feelings onto this births. I don't want to get in the way. I don't want to interfere. I try not to, because that is the way I would want it. (Although, anyone who hires me to take pictures at their births obviously doesn't mind my being there. I have to remember that.)
About 5-10 minutes after the birth, my camera stopped working. I thanked God it didn't go out any sooner. After six years of owning my camera (a Digital Canon Rebel), this was the first time I ever had trouble with it. The shutter was stuck. Wouldn't open. (I still need to figure out what to do about my camera situation... this is the reason you haven't seen any pictures on this blog lately. So, if anybody wants to give me $1,000 to buy my almost-dream camera, that would be wonderful.)
But the pictures turned out great. And the video turned out great (did I mention that I also videotaped it?). I love working on birth videos... piecing together the moments, putting them to music. It's lovely.
Births are lovely. I would like to go to one again. If you are pregnant, live in the Minneapolis area, and would like to hire me to take pictures AND video at your birth, let me know. I would like to be a part of it (assuming I have a new camera by then).
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8 comments:
What a beautiful post! Are you SURE you don't want to be a midwife? I mean, I know the vaginas aren't your favorite and all that, but you were obviously so present and observant and loving at this birth...
aww man, If I knew you were doing birth photography again, I would have been saving my money. You really are the best at it, and it is such a great excuse to get you at my birth!
Kristin
I wanted to have you take pics of my birth! I knew about you 14 months ago. Then I ended up running out of money so my friend's camera phone had to do the trick. If I have another baby, you will probably be invited!
Funny...we were honored to have had you there. You have a very calming presence - I'm so happy you are doing birth photography again!! And so thankful you were there with us last week :)
I really hope that Alyssa will let me see them when she gets them!! I am sure that they are so lovely.
Oh, I so want you at my next birth! (whenever that may be). :)
I love this post. Let me just say you are the most awesome birth photographer. When we found out we were going to the hospital Kevin said I'm calling Allison. (This was for you to help advocate for us of course) THEN you said, should I bring my camera. I was all like "NO, who wants to take pictures of an ugly hospital birth like this, she does homebirths NOT THIS CRAP" But you came anyway, never having shot in a hospital and hating hospitals, you came anyway and you sat and slept on a ugly couch and rubbed my back and told me how great I was doing and then celebrated our birth 36 hours later and then took off on a trip outta town (THATS right people, she stayed up at a HOSPITAL to take my birth photos when she and her family had a trip planned). I loved it and I appreciated it and I could never have shown my thanks. Then the photos came and we looked at them with MASS tears in our eyes and I couldn't believe how beautiful my "ugly hospital transfer induced pre-eclamptic" birth was. But there it was, it was gorgeous and I knew bc you captured it...PERFECTLY. I still look at the images and can feel deep in my gut every moment. I can smell the room and feel my son as I touched him for the first time. I am not scared or unhappy with my birth bc I see it in a different light. I see it through your busted Cannon! You my friend have a very special talent and it is a gift to any woman that is able to recieve it. For those of you commenting on not having the money...neither did I. But we scraped it together and it is priceless to this day. I urge you to do this. Allison, as far as the picture taking part, I don't remember you taking one picture. I will look at a photo and think to myself where was she, how did she do that and then to think you had time to support me through labor as well. You are forever etched into my birth and I am nothing shy of blessed for it.
Thank you
I just wish you were going to be here for this birth! I found an AWESOME midwife btw.
~Sarah J
Next time around I may very well give you a call!
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