This fall, I received an inquiry from a fellow photographer, Brooke, she was 7 months pregnant and wanted me to photograph the hospital birth of her second child.  I was thrilled, and then a little nervous.   Brooke is an amazing photographer and I wanted to make sure these images were perfect for their family.  It's an honor to photograph another photographer's birth story, Brooke was the 3rd photographer this year that chose me, and I felt very grateful. Baby Presley's birth story starts on December 29th, the day she started to make her way earthside.  Brooke had to be induced, and the induction started very early that morning.  I went to the hospital later that afternoon to find Brooke surrounded by family; everyone was supporting her and cheering on the arrival of baby Presley.  But they would have to wait a bit longer.   Brooke thought that she was waiting for a "party birthday" on New Year's Eve, and she was exactly right.  We all went home that evening to get some sleep, and hoped that tomorrow would be the day.

The next morning, little progress was made, and Brooke was getting a little worried after being checked by her OB that she wouldn't be able to deliver vaginally.    Later that day, they broke her water and things started to speed up, a little bit.  By late that evening on the 30th, mom was about 6cm dilated but baby was very high still.  We all went home so mom could get some rest, anticipating baby to arrive the next day.  Shortly after I got home and fell asleep, I got a call at 11pm, Brooke was at 10cm and baby was ready to come now!

I rushed back to the hospital, and got there before her OB.  Brooke was resting and saving her strength for pushing.  It had been a long few days and she was very tired.   She pushed a few times with the nurse, and made amazing progress.  A few minutes later the doctor arrived, and she asked dad if he'd like to cut the cord when baby came.  Dad said, "no".  It was then that I witnessed something awesome.  Tom was clearly nervous, and Brooke told him, 'don't look at the baby coming out, just look at me, just look at my eyes."  And he did.   After 2 days of a long labor, Brooke was comforting her husband in his time of need.  It was a very sweet moment.  It's moments like those, that make being a birth photographer so rewarding.  Witnessing acts of love, in times of need. And one push later, baby girl was here!

Take a few minutes to see some of my favorite images from her birth story.

Brooke had amazing support, my favorite supporter (ssssh, don't tell gramma this, she was awesome too) was Brooke's son.  He was very protective of mom, and kept a watchful eye on her the entire time.  When she needed something, he was there to help.

Gramma's are a lot of fun, aren't they?  Smiles all around while the family waited for their little girl to arrive!  Gramma talked to Brooke's belly and encouraged baby to come out asap!  I think it worked.

Shortly after, everyone went home to give mom time to rest.  I decided to leave too, because baby was still very high and because 'a watched pot never delivers' and I wanted to give Brooke and Tom some space.

But she didn't need much time, just a couple of hours later, it was time to push!  Tom and Brooke were settled in for the night when she hit transition and things got intense.  I was called and rushed back to the hospital for the delivery of their baby girl!

When I arrived, they had set Brooke up, ready to push, but told her to sleep for as long as she could before it was time.

Then when her doctor arrived, it literally took just a few pushes and baby was earthside!

Thank you so much for sharing Presley's birthday with me.   It's an honor to be a part of each child's birth story and I am always humbled when people choose me.

If you'd like to chat more about having your birth story documented, please contact me at here to chat more