Savannah Maternity Photography // Katie & Lee // Beach Maternity

This was a super sweet maternity session that started just before sunset at beautiful Sunnyside Beach Park in Steilacoom, WA. Katie & Lee were thrilled about the upcoming arrival of their baby girl, having waited years for her to bless their family. I loved that this couple was so easy to work with. Katie was, of course, glowing with love for baby Kylee, and Lee was just so adoring of his wife. These photos really show how raw affection and happiness can make a session that much more gorgeous! Thank you, Katie & Lee, for making my job so easy, and I hope you are enjoying your bundle of love!

Birth Story // Baby Scarlett // St. Joseph's Medical Center, Tacoma, WA

When Tricia told me she wanted a birth photographer, I was beyond excited. I'd been waiting for the opportunity to photograph my first birth, and this was perfect!

When she hit 40 weeks, I turned my phone on forever loud. Every morning, I would wake in a slight panic that I'd missed the call--THE call!--but I hadn't. Poor Tricia was so done with her pregnancy, having had one helluva third trimester, and so we shared in anticipation daily. Finally, at her 41 week appointment, they did a membrane sweep (her third!) and told her they would induce the next afternoon if it didn't work.

Well, 41+1 at 1:00 PM (her induction time) rolled around, and the hospital was busy. We waited around patiently, but every time she called the induction got pushed back. Finally, right as frustration was peaking, they called--they were ready!

I had decided to go with Tricia to the induction so I could get plenty of photos of her laboring. This being my first birth, even if it was a slow one, I didn't want to miss anything. So I met Tricia and Corey at their apartment and rode over with them.

After checking into the hospital, we waited patiently for a room to be ready. St. Joseph's Labor & Delivery was the busiest I'd ever seen it (apparently this was a "normal" workload for the staff--WOW!).

Once they got Tricia into a room, the anticipation really started hitting. There was so much excitement in the air, and just pure giddiness coming from mom & dad. Tricia got situated and they hooked her up to the monitors. Baby Scarlett's heart rate was a little high, so after waiting a bit for her to settle down, they decided to give Tricia some IV fluids in hope that hydrating would bring baby's heart rate down so they could start the induction.

We watched excitedly as the few-and-far-between contractions that Tricia had been having naturally showed on the monitor. It looked pretty promising for a successful induction!

Finally, sweet Scarlett's heart rate had stayed in the normal range long enough to start the induction. We knew it would be a long night, so we decided to go down to the cafeteria and grab second dinner (it was about 11:30 PM).

After second dinner, Tricia got some rest while we waited.

After she woke, mama bounced on the birthing ball for a bit, then went downstairs and walked the halls to encourage contractions.

We watched the sun rise over Tacoma right before Tricia's midwife came in to rupture her membranes. As soon as her membranes were ruptured--within minutes!--contractions picked up quickly. Less than half an hour later, Tricia was ready to move to the delivery room to finish her labor.

As Tricia was moved to the delivery room, the intensity mounted. Finally, she asked for an epidural. While they waited for the anesthesiologist, Tricia labored in the tub and the nurse gave her some IV pain medication, which brought a few smiles. The birthing team hovered close by while Tricia and Corey sat quietly in the bathroom and labored.

Just a couple of hours after her epidural was placed, Tricia said she was starting to feel a little pain again. She kept pressing the button, but no relief. The nurse came in and helped her turn over to see if that would help, but still she was uncomfortable. They finally decided to check her, just in case, and the news that Tricia was complete and baby Scarlett was ready to come earthside took the room by surprise! As the room was being shifted around and quickly prepped for delivery, mama was in shock and tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at Corey and cried, "I didn't think it would happen so fast!"

In just a few short pushes, sweet Scarlett Rose was born on August 9, 2014 with a full head of hair, healthy lungs and a single dimple (just like her mama)!

Gender Reveal // Briana & Tyler // Tacoma, WA

When I got the email from Briana inquiring about a gender reveal session, I was thrilled. I had never done a gender reveal session and, quite honestly, hadn't even heard of such a thing until a few months before, when I had thrown a gender reveal party for my sister. The idea of doing a reveal through photos to announce to friends and family (most of whom are very far away, being in a military community) was absolutely brilliant.

Briana knew exactly how she wanted to do her reveal. The night before, she brought a giant box over to my place and her ultrasound photo, sealed in an envelope. "I'm so bad… I held it up to the light to try to see through!" she admitted. "I'm so anxious to find out!" I was just a month behind her in my first pregnancy, so I was completely sympathetic to how she was feeling. Well, not only was I sympathetic, but despite barely knowing her, I was just as excited as she was to find out the gender of her baby! I asked the couple their guesses (Briana was hoping for a girl, but had a feeling it was a boy, and if I remember correctly, Tyler thought it was a girl) and then they headed out.

The second they walked out the door, Nick and I excitedly opened the envelope. There was the ultrasound picture with an arrow pointing at the baby and the gender written out… "GIRL."

We had chosen which park we wanted to do the reveal at, but not the exact spot. Nick and I had the box of pink balloons ready, which Briana had decorated with pink and blue polka dots and a heart that read "Boy or Girl?" As we drove through the park waiting for Briana to arrive, I saw the most perfect spot in front of the water with a beautiful pink cherry blossom tree--how perfect would that be?!

By luck or coincidence, Briana saw the same spot and wanted to meet there. I got to the spot to meet her and she commented about the tree. "Wouldn't that be so cute if the baby is a girl?" she said. I smiled… Actually, it was probably more of a grimace, I was trying so hard not to give it away.

Finally, it was time for the reveal. I set my camera on the tripod and counted down… "On 3, open the box… 1… 2… 3…" The box opened to a burst of pink! Their reactions were so perfect, I felt just as giddy as they did!

This session was everything I love about surprise photography… anticipation, excitement, and pure joy. This is what makes life so beautiful and so worth it. I know that I, for one, will never forget the moment I found out that my baby was my daughter (which, by the way, Briana shot, and it was beautiful!). And I know Briana & Tyler will never forget it either. I love that someday they can show these images to Emmalyn, and know she'll know just how excited her mommy and daddy were about her.

You can view Briana & Tyler's full gender reveal gallery here.