Haven's Delivery Session

It has taken me a while to compose my thoughts for this blog post. Considering Haven and this session all happened back in the first week of January - I've had a lot of time to think about this post.

As a photographer, part of my job is to capture and tell a story about my subject. For me, I tend to get emotionally involved with my clients. I hear their story, I document a portion of their lives and I am drawn into their family - even if for few moments. In the words of Juno, I just like being a piece of furniture in their lives.

I was immediately drawn into Lindsay's story in the previous post. Lindsay is only a teenager and has dealt with life decisions that I can't even fathom of dealing with. She has brought her pregnancy to term and has made the decision to bless a family with a gift of life. A gift called Haven. She has been able to find a couple who has agreed to an open adoption. This couple has been an amazing blessing for Lindsay as they will let Lindsay see Haven as much as she want. They even let Lindsay name her....Haven. A beautiful name for a beautiful baby.

And so begins the story of Haven.

Riverton Medical - Labor and Delivery Suites are on the 3rd floor....I was literally running at this point to make it to Lindsay's room!!


Cute hospital details!
Lindsay called me at 10:00am and told me she was 5 cm. When I got to her room, she had already progressed to 8 cm!!!!!!! As you can see on the wall, it only took her a little over 40 minutes to progress that much!

Even in the moments before child birth, Lindsay managed to be stunning and beautiful!!

Lindsay and her mom entertained each other and me while we patiently waited for the action to start!
Lindsay was a little nervous...and she had every right to be. No one can tell you what it's going to be like to give birth.

I couldn't get over it when I peered over through my camera lens to capture Lindsay pushing...yes - this is Lindsay pushing. She may be the most gorgeous woman in labor...ever!
More concentrated pushing....
Lindsay only pushed for maybe 30 minutes....tops....one of the last few pushes...
I love the tiny detail of Lindsay's fingernail polish. To me, it shows how young she really is.
At this point, the baby was ALMOST OUT and I couldn't help but tear up...Lindsay had no clue how well she was doing and how close she was to seeing this little miracle...
And then at 11:30...a miracle happened...
...and out popped beautiful Baby Haven.

The whole room immediately fell in love with this little miracle.
Baby Haven wasn't quite excited to meet everyone else in the first few moments of her life...
Tiny baby details.....make my heart melt.
I was so excited to document the feet prints with the ink and all....but there was no ink!! Just baby feet prints!! Technology these days....
Something about this image seems peaceful.
More baby details for Lindsay.
This image makes me want to cry every time I see it.
...but then again, so does this one. A proud mama looking over her baby girl that just gave birth to a baby girl.
In the days following, Lindsay took some time to soak up Haven before she had to go to the placement. The last day, I met them back in the hospital to photograph that angelic gift again.
Peaceful Baby Haven...






Lindsay - you have done a beautiful and wonderful thing. Words will not ever describe the happiness that you have given another family. I am so proud of you and feel so unbelievably fortunate to have been able to document this journey for you. You are a special and beautiful soul. Thank you for letting me document your love story and share it with others. I love you!