Last year a good friend and local photographer asked me if I wanted to document her time as a surrogate parent.  I was more than excited to do it, especially to photograph the birth.  Being a mom, I know how amazing birth is, but I had only experienced it from the point of giving birth, not watching. 

It's no easy task to ask a pregnant woman if she would like to be photographed during birth.  When I was pregnant I warned people to not snap pictures of me.  At my young age when I first had children, I couldn't grasp that I was indeed a beautiful pregnant woman.  Looking back, I wish I had.  Being pregnant is a miracle, you are a vessel for life.  Giving birth, well...that is a whole different miracle.  I wanted to give other moms the opportunity of being able to look back at those memories, that over time could be forgotten because, let's face it - there is so much going on during birth. 

Hailey gave me that opportunity again recently.  I was so excited to do it.  Her family is a friend of our family, so it was extra special.  Being a mom, it is amazing to watch another woman give birth.  I was there, silently pushing with her, silently cheering her on through her hour of pushing...

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And close to 2:23 am...their little boy made his way into this world.

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And it was love at first site...

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Thank you, Hailey, for letting me experience that again and document you being AMAZING!
Congratulations Hailey & Shelby, Mr Ryatt is just the sweetest thing!

Newborn photos coming soon!!!