fort lauderdale maternity photographer Archives - Newborn & Maternity Photographer in Miami| Natural Light Photography

The Unexpected | Newborn Photographer Miami

September 22, 2015

Today I heard the saddest news. A dear friend is suffering. Her marriage is in trouble and both parties, with lots of love still in their hearts, have decided to take a break. This makes me sad. Really sad. Because every time I heard them speak they were loving and caring and kind to one another. My heart aches for her today as I know there is nothing I can do or say that will alleviate her pain. It’s deep and it has no words. It can’t be described, it can only be felt.

I’m scared too. I’m scared because there has been many times when I have thought of divorce and separation. When the stress of it all has overwhelmed me and I’ve pictured walking away with my little ducklings and starting over, but something stops me and I keep fighting. Sometimes I think it’s worthless. All the time and energy spent and trying over and over again. All the pride lost in looking over things I always said I wouldn’t look over. But I do, and I stay. Because I believe that he and my babies are worth fighting for. I stay because the fight needs to be fought in the arena and the day I walk away it will only be upon defeat.

Today I’m also thankful that he is in the arena with me. That knockdown after knockdown he lifts himself back up and keeps on fighting. I’m thankful that he too believes we are all worth fighting for.

Thank you for your continuous fight.

A Miracle of Wisdom | Maternity Photographer Miami

September 16, 2015

“Giving birth and being born brings us into the essence of creation, where the human spirit is courageous and bold and the body, a miracle of wisdom.”

– Harriette Hartigan

maternity photographer miami Maternity photography miami

WHAT KIND OF PHOTOGRAPHER ARE YOU?

August 27, 2015

Maternity Photographer Miami

“What do you do? I’m a photographer. Oh, what kind?”

This is a common question I hear people asking photographers. Almost as if a “kind” is specific to what you photograph. They expect to hear: I’m a wedding photographer, or I’m a portrait photographer, or I’m a newborn photographer, but really my “kind”, my “style” is not based on the people I choose to photograph, but in how and why I photograph them.

When I first started photography back in 2009 I was scared and naïve. I followed the crowd and I really thought that my “niche” was who I wanted to photograph. It took some soul searching this time around to really figure out what makes me happy and who I am as a photographer. Mind you, this is an ongoing process, but I’ve learned that my photography is more than a person. I don’t and won’t limit my craft.

I take photographs to capture moments. Not something that is, but the essence of what can or will be.

I want to capture the way you look at the man of your dreams; the way you feel when he places his hand on your belly and you realize that life will soon be different and full.

My “niche” are those who are not afraid to be themselves and don’t hold back. Those that let me in – just a little – to capture an intimate moment.

My niche is not defined by age, gender, education, or interest. They are everyday people who know the value photograph.

So what “kind” of photographer am I? I’m the one that wants you to feel something when you look back at your images. The one that pushes you to let me in and goes above and beyond to capture the essence of your life, just as it is, right now. Something that – only years later – would make you realize just how important this moment truly was.

Vendor Spotlight | Petunia’s Handmade Creations

August 25, 2015

I’m always looking for soft knits for my newborn sessions, but to be honest, I’m a bit picky. I came across Petunia’s Handmade Creations on Etsy and fell in love with her beautiful selection. See for yourself:

So I did what I always do, I contacted her to get more information about the yarn itself and when I heard back from her I loved her shop even more. She uses mostly hand died yarn from small, family owned farms in Africa. Some of her items are made from fair trade organic cotton. Aren’t these amazing? If you are preparing for your newborn session, I encourage you to visit her Etsy shop.

[Tip: Make sure you order weeks in advance as most of the items are handmade to order.]

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Motherhood on Film | Maternity Photographer South Florida

August 24, 2015

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb. – Psalm 139:13

A New Beginning | Maternity Photographer in Miami

August 4, 2015

To be pregnant is to be vitally alive, thoroughly woman, and distressingly inhabited. Soul and spirit are stretched – along with body – making pregnancy a time of transition, growth, and profound beginnings. ~Anne Christian Buchanan and Debra K. Kingsporn

I have never felt more alive and loved my body as much as I did when I was pregnant. It’s an unexplainable feeling that bursts through your pores. I think this beautiful couple can relate. I loved every minute of their maternity session. Their love, connection, and laughter was infectious.

I can’t wait to meet your little prince!

Beach Maternity Session | Maternity Photographer Miami

July 27, 2015

I love maternity photography sessions period, but add the beach as a background and a mommy-to-be willing to go in the water and I’m in heaven. There is a feeling of being connected to nature when you are surrounded by sand and water that has no comparison. I loved every minute of this maternity session.

TBT: MATERNITY

July 16, 2015

On this throw-back-thursday I wanted to show you this beautiful maternity session in Miami. A couple absolutely in love and comfortable with each other and in front of our cameras. Love our clients!

WHAT DO I WEAR ?

July 10, 2015

Often clients want to know what to wear to their maternity photography session so I wrote this post in an effort to help the process. Here are some things to consider when picking your outfit:

1. What is your style? Your maternity session should be a reflection of you, just a pregnant you. Try and stay away from the overly done maternity gowns that you see in maternity pictures over and over again. If you are traditional, be traditional; if you are boho chic, then be just that.

2. Stay away from logos. Huge designer brand logos don’t look great in pictures. Keep in mind that you will be looking at these pictures yearsdown the road and I’m sure you wouldn’t like the first thing to stand out be the designer that you were wearing.

3. Stay away from busy patterns and prints. Let the focus be on you.

4. Bring with you at least two outfits. Most clients pick both a casual and dressy attire. This will provide for a great variety in your pictures.

5. Girls, try to have your hair and makeup done. I know that when I get my hair and makeup done I feel like I can conquer the world! That is how I want you to feel during your session. STUNNING!

6. Be prepare to show your love. I think this is harder for guys than for girls, as guys tend to be more shy in front of the camera. I’m there to capture genuine emotions between you. Hug, kiss, dance! It might be easier to show your guy other engagement or maternity sessions so they know what to expect and feel more at ease.

7. Props. This can be anything from including your fury baby in your session to bringing a basket of flowers. If there is something that is important to you that you want to bring to your session tell your photographer about it. He or she will take that into consideration when choosing a location for your session.

Above all, the most important part of your maternity photography session, which also happens to be the photographer’s job, is to make you feel comfortable. When you are comfortable it shows!

A BIRTH STORY: UNPLANNED C-SECTION

July 8, 2015

In a previous week I wrote a post called It’s Magic where I shared with you a birth I was invited to attend. My hope was that in sharing, I would encourage other women to document their birth. Now I want to share with you the details of that birth. To follow is a recollection of the events as recalled by the mama herself:

My daughter’s birth didn’t go as planned…

I had a midwife so I could have a more holistic, personal approach to my overall care. I chose a midwife so that when I say, “I want my child to only breastfeed, co-sleep with me, and wait on anesthesia or narcotics she will back me up. Luckily, my OB group used CNMs interchangeably with the regular doctors for all routine care, which I loved.

Around 11 p.m. I went into labor. At about 4 a.m. after walking around my neighborhood under the moonlit sky and bathing in a warm tub in order to speed up my labor and help with my contractions I decided to head on to the hospital. On the way there, I remember thinking, “This is painful but I can handle it…I am going to go natural.”

I had chosen my support system during labor and delivery beforehand…which entailed my Mom, my sister-in-law, and my cousin. These are women whom I trust and love. After being admitted to the hospital I texted them to let them know it was show time.

After being in labor for over 12 hours, and the fact that I was still 2cm, wasn’t encouraging. The contractions were so painful that I was shaking uncontrollably. That’s when the tears started flowing. I knew I couldn’t take the pain of the contractions any longer. I looked at my midwife and she gave me a look of compassion and understanding…but I felt like a failure. I wanted no intervention, no meds, no anesthesia…I wanted a “natural” birth. With my luck the epidural only took on the right side of my body…it had to happen to me of course.

Three hours went by and I was still at 2cm when I agreed on getting Pitocin. That’s when the “party” started; I went from 2cm to 9cm. My midwife decided that I [should start] pushing. I couldn’t wait to meet my daughter. After pushing for about an hour and finding out my daughter was in a sunny side up position, my midwife looked at me and said, “Your doctor and I have decided you need c-section.”

A c-section wasn’t in the plans…it wasn’t in my mindset. I was terrified. I felt like my world was caving in on me. I had so many emotions at once. At that point I had been in labor for about 18 hours. When my OB/GYN walked into my room he gave me the absolute confidence that I had done everything I could and there was no other choice.

In the end, it wasn’t the birth I had plan, but I did amazing. I trusted my midwife and my Ob/Gyn to make choices with my interests in mind [while] encouraging me about doing what was best for my baby and I…regardless of what that meant. I had my best birth, and felt proud of what I did. It was in fact, the longest shortest time. I was happy with the outcome…a healthy baby girl and Mom.

Now I focus on the really hard part…Motherhood.

I love to hear birth stories because each is so profoundly different and meaningful. They are stories about brave women who face fear and pain head-on.

I would love to hear your birth story and document your birth with a birth photography sesion. If you would like to share, please email me at may@thecrunchynest.com and your story could be featured in upcoming posts.