8.05.2007

A photographer's dream. Well, mine, anyway.

I just have to tell you guys something that I am really really really excited about. As a photographer, I am just so excited about this. So much so. Yep, really really really excited ;c)

My very good friend, Leann, is a doula. And a mighty fine one, too. She is DONA certified as well as certified as a child birth educator on top of her already having a masters degree in education. She is one mighty cool gal.

We both live in this small town together now. We really really feel a pull now for us to bring our passions together. And I think what I am about to tell you is one of them. One day I really think we'll join forces, and I think this is just the beginning of that journey. I. Am. So. Excited.

I am pretty much "on call" for the month of August and then later in this year also because . . . drum roll . . . I GET TO PHOTOGRAPH TWO BIRTHS!

This is a DREAM come true and a huge gift from God above because there is nothing, nothing, more powerful and amazing on this earth than a baby being born. And I get to photograph it. Wow. It makes tears form in the corner of my eyes.

I think the thought of this makes me all emotional because 1) I didn't get to have either of my births photographed at all. (I had a photographer "on call" but the way things happened, it just couldn't happen. Ah well.) Nothing about them was photographed except for the moment I got to see Noah 2 hours after his birth and then holding Maia for the first time 2 DAYS after her birth. That was hard. And beside the point. Well, kinda. I feel this is a gift given to me to fill the void which I never had.

And 2) To be a part of a birth just amazes me so much. I can't wait to celebrate these new lives. I can't wait to PHOTOGRAPH these little human lives making their way into their mommies arms . .. into this big big world. Wow. Hopefully I will be able to shoot with all the tears running down my face. Who knows, maybe my super photographer powers will erupt and I won't feel the urge to cry and I can hold it all in till it's all over. I doubt that will happen, but we shall see. I am hoping I won't disappoint myself.

Anyway, is this not the coolest thing EVER?! I mean, really. Come on, what is more spectacular than that?

Thursday I think I'm going to shoot some maternity pictures of Lindsey, who is one of the mothers. I have met L but never met the other mother. And this other mother . . . I can't wait to meet her. She is having a WATER BIRTH. Talk about amazing. I've seen pictures, but have never seen it with my own eyes. I know it's going to be something very special.

So stayed tuned. I hope to be talking about these births in the near future and then I hope to be able to talk about other births and just where all this will be taking me. I pray this leads me and Leann on a new great adventure. And I think it will. I already feel like it's starting.

10 comments:

Christy said...

Congratulations! I would have loved to have my third birth photographed. It was actually fun, and I really felt like my dh and I worked great together.

Oh, I emailed you, then realized that I had just replied to your comment and you don't have an email associated with it :)

My dishwasher is a Maytag Legacy QuietSeries 300, FYI!

LiLi said...

Val that is TOO COOL!

Anonymous said...

how special
I can sense your excitement :)

Anonymous said...

YAY!! So exciting for you!!!!! Your excitement jumps out of the post!

Unknown said...

Jo, it does?! ;c) (*giggle*)

Michelle said...

Have fun! Sounds right up your alley!! The new mamas and papas will be more than thrilled with the results, I know!

Anonymous said...

How cool. I can't wait to hear all about it! Will they let you share the pix? I'd love to see them!

Cate said...

What a fantastic opportunity, Val!

Unknown said...

amanda, I am pretty sure they will let me share, at least the not-so-graphic ones, because they're doing it partly to help me spruce up my maternity/ and L&D portfolio. :)

Erin said...

Yeah, I agree, you can definitely tell how VERY excited you are!!! What a huge exciting awesome experience that's going to be. And yeah, sure, if I have more kids you are more than welcome to come and photograph the big event. I can't imagine that would be to easy to be "on call" though, you living there and me way over here. Congratulations. It's going to be so neat for you.