Karly's Birth Story
When my sister, Emily, asked if I would photograph Karly's birth I felt a rush of excitement and nervousness. I was thrilled at the chance of photographing a birth but worried that I would mess it up somehow. I worried that me being there would take away from Emily and Jeff's moment.
D-day came, and I was a mess of nerves. But my worries melted away as I watched my sister focus and wince through each contraction. I watched the concern on my brother-in-law's face and remembered that this was about them---not me. I moved to a level of photography that I've never reached before. A level where I was able to forget , for a moment, about f-stops and shutter speed. I became so immersed in the moment--in their moment-- that I forgot to feel like a 3rd wheel. I became a little fly on the wall (one very emotional fly on the wall) and watching the experience through my camera only magnified the experience.
It. was. incredible.
And luckily, I resisted my urge to yell out things like, "You're a winner!" and "Don't give up!"
(You're welcome.)
I hope you enjoy their birth story as much as I did.
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Love this Melissa! You did a great job. Your sister looks so great and most def doesn't look like she was in labor, or barely even pregnant! Karlie is beautiful too.
Completely stunning. I'm a mess of tears over here. Next time we have a baby, you're coming. Loved this!
WOW Melissa. What a beautiful series of pictures! What an incredible gift for your sister, who is amazing looking (with jewelry even???) for having just given birth!?!
Lovely Melissa. Great work, for all of you. Both mom and baby are so beautiful and what a supportive husband! I particularly love the shots with your sister and Karlie. Well done!
These are so beautiful, Melissa. Well done. There are too many favorites to note, but the mama-baby shots are simply stunning.
Well done.
Wow Mel! What gorgeous pictures and memories to go along with it! I am sitting over here bawling like a baby. Thanks a lot:)
Wow - these are beautiful pictures. You captured everything so beautifully.
Truly amazing. You have such a talent!
Tears streaming down my face. What a beautiful way to capture moments and memories.
BTW I am Emily's friend here in StG and I just love your sister to death.
Oh and I enjoy blog stalking your blog as well...hope you don't mind.
Great Job Melissa on being a very privileged fly on the wall.
What a priceless thing for Jeff and Em to have.
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Wow. That was amazing. You Melissa, are amazing, and I am not just saying that.
Oh. My. Heck. So beautiful. I'm totally crying over here - - - you almost make me wish I was having a baby soon so you could take the pictures (*almost*).
I'll second what Lindsey (the first) said! Wow, amazing pictures that are deepened by knowing (and loving) the subjects.
Beautiful people. Beautiful baby. Beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing. Very cool.
So amazing and beautiful! Hello - I am not surprised though...you are incredible! You really captured the birth story perfectly. Thanks for the morning tears! :) I really hope you're still around when I have another baby...
I am completely unsurprised that your sister looks so amazing while giving birth- I bet you would too. I love the one of the names written out...and I love her name, and had a sad laugh when I realized that I can never use it...Karly, Marley...too much, right? Anyway, beautiful, amazing, and I am holding you to your promise next time I have a baby:).
I am crying. Seriously. When I kept reading that you wanted to do "birth stories" I thought, man...Melissa, you are crazy! But I finally got around to looking at some of these, and it is AMAZING! Love it! Beautiful mama, by the way. She and baby look awesome! I can't beleive she just gave birth. Beautiful!