I’m not sure if I will be able to articulate my feelings in to this post, but I will try.  Photographing births is such an amazing experience, I get to document a life changing right before my eyes, a first breath, the first moments of a new family, with pain, joy, and so many other emotions mixed inbetween.  Every single time I photograph one, it brings me to a place in my heart that realizes what this world, what life, is about.  It also brings me to a place that makes me realize that what I do, makes sense.  Of all the things people capture with photography, all the milestones, the ‘i do’s”, the beloved snapshots, the gathering of family, it makes sense to capture the beginning moment.

I am so honored to have captured this birth, these memories, this life, for my colleague and dear friend Michele.  Photographing a home birth was a first for me, as was photographing an unmedicated birth, a water birth and all for another professional photographer.  I was nervous to say the least.  Not knowing what to expect, but also, wanting desperately to do a good job for someone as talented as Michele is.

There were so many wonderful moments on Amerlyn’s birth day…..thank you Michele for allowing me to share so many of them.  Click here to view a slideshow:  The Birth of Amerlyn Grace.

In addition to the slideshow, here are just a few of my favorites from the day…..one my first favorite moments was catching a glimpse of Michele and her husband sitting on their bed, watching the sun rise out of the window, on the day their daughter would be born . . . .

It was amazing to watch her work with her body, moving through the pain, connecting with her husband and just allowing her body to do what it was meant to do.


Welcome to the world beautiful girl….

Michele and family, thank you so much for entrusting me to capture the birth of your daughter, it was an honor.  Congrats again from the entire Stradtner family!