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In the weeks following Vera’s birth, I often found my mind wandering back to those transformative hours of labor, trying to piece together the in-between moments. As Vera continued to grow in front of my eyes, I found those memories slipping through my fingertips and I started to feel a sadness that soon I would forget some of the most important hours of my life. I found myself writing about a strong pull to be reconnected to the birthing process, a desire to be involved in a separate way other than just experiencing it myself. I wasn’t sure what this way would be, but slowly, the pieces are starting to come together. Through my birth photography offerings, I am hoping to provide families with a way to be brought right back to those moments in time, to be reconnected to their process.
Labor is a sacred space, and I am grateful for Collena & Daryl to welcome me in as a witness. When I entered the room I could immediately feel the peaceful strength of a family working together, patiently & intuitively. When Railyn entered this world, I was reminded of all that is true: there is only this moment and we must be present and open to receiving, if we want to experience it fully.
I am incredibly grateful for their amazing and wonderful birth doula Liz Beyer-Partin for her support as I explore birth photography, (When Liz’s special ring tone I have set for her rang at 3:43 am on Thursday morning, I could feel the excitement of getting close to new life entering this world), and for the incredible team at Birthing Center of Buffalo. I am in awe having witnessed them doing their work.
If you are considering a birth photographer, I am currently accepting birth story clients that are using facilities within a 10 mile radius of my home, including home births, and births that take place at any of the following: The Birthing Center of Buffalo, Sister’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Buffalo Midwifery Services and with Fika Midwifery at the Coit House, Children’s hospital. Birth photography information for births in Buffalo, New York can be found here and includes all of the high resolution images. Please e-mail me at info@shawphotoco.com if you have any questions!
