people often ask me what why people would want me to photograph their labor and delivery and usually i tell them that it is a beautiful event. if you are one of those who can't stomach this life event then i would skip over this post now! :) little did i know that home births were even more reason to photograph your child's birth- it was magical. i was not quite sure what to expect when aaron told me they were having a home birth with a midwife. i had never photographed one at home so I was not quite sure what to expect. i can say that so many more emotions occur outside of the sterile hospital walls and it was fun seeing the difference between the two. i had both of my children in the hospital where i felt safe, both experiences were great but there is something to be said about having your baby in your home with your family.
i arrived after aaron texted me around 2:30 p.m. saying she was "in transistion" which had me worried i was going to miss it because i had left my phone in the car during a shoot. turns out she was "in transition" when i got there so things did not come quite as quickly. :) i was happy to be there during this phase and watch rachel move gracefully through each contraction.
the birthing ball ---> moved to the swaying back and forth ---> moved to the shower ---> moved to the floor ---> moved to the chair and you get the point. rachel was strong and beautiful and gave birth to a healthy baby girl at 6:53 p.m.. little nova was a hefty 9 lb 12 oz and 21 inches long. she is perfect and mom and dad are doing well!
i photograph births because you are only born once. /////// visit their family to see some pre-nova pictures and baby ones too if they get time to blog!
aaron is an amazing videographer at 31 films so he had to grab some shots of nova as she had heart checked. she was so alert and interested in everything going on.
i was even there for novas first bath (it was an herbal bath that the midwives made for them).
Lauren @ ELD said:
Wow these images are gorgeous. Amazing. Breathtaking. What a gift to be able to have these moments captured! Thank you for sharing!!
(10.03.11 @ 09:04 PM)
Jennifer Nichols said:
Brooke, this series is just unbelievable. Beautiful, beautiful, priceless images you've created for this family.
(10.03.11 @ 09:15 PM)
brooke said:
thanks jennifer. i was so glad to be there.
(10.03.11 @ 09:23 PM)
brooke said:
thanks lauren. i felt the same way about the experience that i had to share.
(10.03.11 @ 09:24 PM)
Adam Nyolt said:
Incredible work, Brooke! Very tastefully done. The expression on Aarons face in the first color photo after the birth is incredible. Complete awe, joy, and even brokenness. All at the same time. Love it.
(10.03.11 @ 09:49 PM)
taylor lord said:
Absolutely one of the most beautiful photojournalistic posts I've ever seen. I cried. Amazing work.
(10.03.11 @ 09:53 PM)
Savannah said:
These are some of the most moving images I've ever seen. Amazing. Thank you for sharing!
(10.03.11 @ 10:59 PM)
fanik said:
beautiful and so artistic.. I have to give it a try!
(10.04.11 @ 01:35 AM)
Aaron said:
Brooke...I'm still struggling to even put into words, how much these images mean to me and my new family. You captured the most life-changing and emotional moments of our lives in such an incredibly beautiful way. I cannot thank you enough. Thank you thank you thank you.
- The new dad
(10.04.11 @ 09:17 AM)
Aaron Tharpe said:
By the way...I've been trying to figure out how to explain the feelings I had when I caught and delivered Nova and handed her to Rachel. It's like nothing I'd ever felt before! Adam pinpointed it exactly in his post though: "Complete awe, joy, and even brokenness. All at the same time." Thanks for translating everything for me Adam :)
(10.04.11 @ 09:20 AM)
May Tharpe said:
Great job Brooke! It's was so nice meeting you at the birth. The photo's are amazing! So nice to have treasures of Nova's first moments with us and a glimpse of the emotion surrounding her entrance. She is definitely surrounded with love! Thank you!
(10.04.11 @ 09:26 AM)
Hannah B said:
This is so amazing! Gorgeous photos! Absolutely beautiful.
(10.04.11 @ 10:29 AM)
Janica Boles said:
I can't even come up with the words... Goosebumps, head to toe. Amazing photographs of THE most amazing moments for this family.
(10.04.11 @ 01:11 PM)
katie said:
beautiful as always brookie! can't wait for you to be a part of my number three :)
the last photo is so peaceful - i can't wait to be there!
(10.04.11 @ 01:24 PM)
Maggie said:
This makes home birth look so appealing and relaxing! Thanks for showing everyone something that is not often seen.
(10.04.11 @ 09:33 PM)
kelly said:
this post mad me cry. so beautiful and perfectly captured.
(10.05.11 @ 07:17 AM)
Jamie Kutter said:
Brooke you are so incredibly talented my sweet, sweet friend! What stunning captures....aahhhhh, I'm so inspired by you! :)
(10.05.11 @ 08:40 AM)
Lindsay Kelso said:
Absolutely stunning! How wonderful that these images are captured for all time.
(10.05.11 @ 07:33 PM)
clint shuttlesworth said:
Wow.. that was incredible.. you captured the experience so beautifully.
(10.08.11 @ 09:28 AM)
lindsey said:
BEAUTIFUL!!!
(10.14.11 @ 04:37 PM)
Fenja said:
Some of the best pictures I've ever seen – unique moments.
(10.15.11 @ 02:41 PM)
Deidra Wilson said:
What a great job of shooting a tough event to shoot, very well done!
(10.16.11 @ 12:50 PM)
mackenzie said:
these are incredible. i never thought about how beautiful these moments could be. seriously, amazing job. i hope i get a chance to do this one day!
(10.21.11 @ 08:03 AM)
Sarah Jane said:
These are absolutely beautiful. I admire women who have their births photographed- the moments couldn't be more genuine, what a special thing to have photos of.
(10.21.11 @ 11:39 AM)
Tina said:
Absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much for posting!
(11.08.11 @ 01:55 PM)
Natalie Bice said:
This is probably the most beautiful birth photography I have seen. You have caught those special moments between them....so perfect. I LOVE the shot of Dad squatting against the wall and mum leaning on him. That made me stop when I saw it. Congratulations Nova is beautiful
(11.08.11 @ 06:28 PM)
LesleAlvarado said:
What an amazing experience and phenomenal photographs. Brava!
(11.27.11 @ 09:10 PM)
Brooke Fitts said:
wow... this post totally made me tear up. that's some beautiful + powerful photography...
(12.04.11 @ 08:35 AM)
Lee Anne said:
gorgeous! I've recently started photographing home births, and it is phenomenal...
wondering what you shot with for this birth?
(12.20.11 @ 09:39 PM)
a.r. said:
i am speechless and crying. This was captured so beautifully. Amazing. Thanks for sharing.
(12.29.11 @ 04:16 PM)
Gwendolyn said:
A beautiful and perfect birth and baby. :)
(12.29.11 @ 05:42 PM)
Sara said:
Thank you! These pictures are exactly how my 3 births went, but I never got any great pictures!! I was shocked- really, I did the shower, the ball, the waiting, and then the beautiful moment when you can see that baby....oh! Brought back wonderful memories. I did all home births and birth center births too....love it!
(02.28.12 @ 07:38 PM)
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