There is nothing more precious than love. Within that lies love for family, love for your spouse, your children, your friends, God, and the love for your precious new baby. As a photographer, my job is to capture that love. Along the way, I often times fall into it. This is my story about Steffanie. I've only known Steffanie for less than two years. She was pregnant with her 4th child, Cullen, when I met her. She's an angel, a devil, a whirlwind and the apitomy of delight and talent all rolled into one. She is a kindred spirit. Last August (and I do mean 2010), we spent a little time together when I did a few candid maternity shots of her.
Yes, these are old shots. I may or may not have blogged about her and them at that point. It was a short little day... we were just kind of goofing around.
Then, that October, it was time for her little miracle to arrive. Baby Cullen was making his entrance to the world, and I was invited. Now, I won't say I wasn't a little nervous- and excited. This was the first live birth I would be photographing. It wasn't in a hospital. There would be no anesthesia. Aside from my own labors, this would be my first stint in the delivery room. I wasn't even sure that live birth photography was something I wanted to get into, but I darn sure wanted to do this for my friend.
The time came. I got the call.... they were about to break her water.... so off to Denton I went. The birthing center was a cozy little house. I found Steffanie, her husband Thomas, her BFF Kristen, her mother and father, and her three older children, just simply hanging out on the front porch. Steff, perched on her ball to "get the labor going".
It wasn't long before things started really moving along. A few strong contractions, and we were off into the birthing room. Now, I know the pictures you're about to see are, from a photography standpoint, not the best. The house was extremely dark, and apparently dark rooms are good for birthing mothers (hehe... I wonder why). I didn't want to use a flash, and my ISO and I hadn't come to full terms with one another at that point (a lot can change in a year and a half). I also hesitated to post these images because of the private nature of them. Pain is intimate, and beautiful. These photos were truly the most difficult I've ever taken to that point. It was hard to watch my friend in pain, and document it.
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| Of course... Steff... texting between contractions. This one made me giggle. |
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| And this is when the real fun started. So many times I just wanted to drop the camera and run over to her. But, her friends and family, thankfully, had that covered. |
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| Who says sisters have to be by blood? |
The next few pictures I can't show you. I mainly can't show you because there aren't any. This is the point at which Cullen came into the world. A few tiny gasps and screams from those little vocal chords, and a miracle had been born. Steffanie was a true trooper. This was the worst of it. No drugs... and it wasn't like in the movies. No screaming. No cursing at her husband. It was just, well, beautiful. There were a couple times, however, I was pretty sure the midwife was going to toss me from the room if I stepped over the invisible line ONE MORE TIME...
If the next shots are blurry, it's because I couldn't see what I was shooting. My eyes were filled with tears.
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| I don't know when I've ever seen her more beautiful. |
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Shortly after, Steffanie and Cullen were moved to their own private recovery room. Steff was given a few minutes to relax, and then her other children were introduced to their new brother.
It was just a couple hours later that the Kantosky family was released and on their way home, where Steff and Cullen could recuperate in their own surroundings.
This was such an amazing experience for me, not only as a photographer, but as her friend. It was such an intimate thing to be part of, and I will never forget it.
As I mentioned before, this all took place in October of 2010. Since then, I've done 5 more live birth sessions. Each one different from the last. Each condition better or worse... no two are the same. All were joyous. None were like this one, the first, with my friend Steffanie.
Since then, Steffanie and I have become closer friends. In all honesty, not as close as I'd like. We both live insanely crazy busy lives. But, she is one of the people in my life that I do make time for. We now work together on occasion, as she is part of the Mulberry Lane Studio staff. It's hard to believe time has gone so quickly. Cullen is now over a year old. Running around... being a general joy... and oozing adorability. This is a recent session I did with our Steff and Cullen, and the rest of the Kantosky clan.
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| Big Sister Chloe |
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| Big Brother Jude |
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| Big Brother Briley |
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| Baby Cullen |
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| The Kantosky Clan |
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| Steff and Baby |
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| Thomas and Steff |
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She wears all kinds of hats. Mother, sister, wife, daughter, (dare I say it)Superwoman. But, most important to me, I am so very glad to call her "Friend". Love you Steffie.
