Traveling has been a passion of mine since I got my first passport at 6 months old (no joke!) I sat on my moms lap and made gaga sounds at the photographer. I started traveling alone at age 6 to visit my Aunt in Missouri every Summer. I haven't stopped since. Where I go, my camera follows. I love experiencing new places and capturing each one in my own way.
On Monday, I got the honor of photographing the birth of baby Rayce. This was my first ever experience with birth (other than my own, of course) and I am so glad that my friend’s Jodi and Adam trusted me to photograph this miraculous event. It was a long but rewarding day. A healthy baby boy was born at 3:59pm, weighing just over 8lbs and 20.5 inches tall. It was a very emotional moment, even I shed some tears from behind my viewfinder.
Ok, I’ll admit it. I shed some tears editing these photos today. It was an amazing experience that I am having trouble putting in to words. It definitely did not scare me off of having my own children (in the future, not anytime soon).
And thank you to Jodi for allowing me to share these special images. I have the more graphic ones on lock and key, but I want to show you the emotions that go along with the labor.
I got there early, so it was just me, Adam and Jodi for the first few hours. They had just induced her at this point.
Listening to the babies heartbeat
And the contractions start….Adam is watching the seconds hand.
And she is starting to feel them…
I got pretty good at watching this machine. It shows when she is having contractions…as if she couldn’t already tell! The top line is Rayce’s heartbeat.
The family showed up mid-day
She was still smiling between the pain
This is just 55 seconds before he was born. She pushed for under 3 minutes.
Welcome to the world!!
We had a bet going to how much he would weigh (their daughter was 9.9lbs!) I guessed 8lbs, so I was the closest!
Proud papa Adam
While everyone got their turn holding him, Jodi was texting the news to everyone else not in the room!
This is Rayce’s big sister Riyen meeting him for the first time!
I love this because Riyen is looking at Adam like, “Dad, I know what I’m doing here.”
Riyen turned to Jodi and said “I like him”
One of my favorite shots of the day.
Wow, here i go again, I have something in my eye…
Jodi and Adam (and Riyen), I am so happy for you and your healthy baby boy! I am looking forward to seeing him again next week for his newborn photos!!
XOXO, M
Wow…you’ve been so busy with shoots! What a moment to capture…so sweet and I bet these will be cherished by the family (& baby Rayce) forever!
Amazing photos…Jodi and Adam are very blessed to have such an incredibly talented photog to document their special arrival! The pictures brought tears to my eyes. You have a great gift and a great “eye”.
amazing mel! You did a great job!! I’ve been so excited to see these and I wasn’t let down! great job! It was good to see you last night! 🙂 I like you!!
WOW Melissa. These are amazing!
WOW!! Perfect! Just amazing Melissa you really captured the full story. Beautiful images. I love the miracle of birth. I made it to the last shot until I shed a tear, that one is perfection, it says it all! You could tell the whole story in that one image! I love the way you framed it and your focus! Love the look on Jodi’s face as Adam kisses her and the “big sister” on Riyen’s shirt and her face is precious, you can just tell that everyone is so proud and happy.
Oh I didn’t mean the others didn’t get me emotional, just the total story and then the last shot being so perfect, just made me tear up. I tried to hold on I did, but man you are just too good!
that shot of ryen kissing rayce is priceless. that one made a ninja tear up. great job melissa.
Oh those last 2 shots made ME tear up and I don’t even know them! lol Great job Mel!!
Melissa, these are amazing. I have no idea who these people are, but I am crying while looking at them. You captured every beautiful moment for them. Totally amazing. I am in awe.
Awesome job, Melissa! Don’t be surprised if you end up getting requests fore more births. : )
-E
Thank you for posting these so we too can share the moment !!
Wow, Melissa! Incredible!!! You totally knocked this one out of the park. I’m sure the happy family is totally thrilled with how you documented this. Kudos!
Absolute sweetness Melissa… makes me want another one! 🙂 Great job. 🙂
Melissa, you did a really awesome job! The family must be so happy to have had you there taking pictures. As soon Samantha gets me pregnant, we are totally gonna hire you!
YAY! What an amazing experience to capture! Wonderful shots Melissa!
so awesome!!! looove the b&w’s!
absolutely stunning!
i SO wish i did this when i had zoe. 🙁
beautiful.
complete awesomeness.
So precious! Great shots!
These are so beautiful. I have tears in my eyes looking through them. The last one is my favorite. Wow. Absolutely fantastic.
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I finally got my emotions together to look at these images, and I lost it when I saw the image of Rayce being born. Birth is such an event, and you captured it beautifully. I absolutely LOVE them.
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