The birth of Ty – Leilani Rogers, Austin, TX Birth Photography

I shot my 3rd birth in October! What a treat this was. The mother, Tara, is also a photographer (including birth photography). We’d met only briefly a few weeks before. So when she called me the day she went into labor, I was pleasantly surprised to hear from her! She couldn’t get a hold of her birth photographer and was in a bit of a panic. Well all I can say, is this must have been meant to be. I had a completely open day. The kids had just left for school. She was about halfway through her labor, so I knew I’d be home in time for the kids to return home from school. And I needed one more birth to add to my portfolio! The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for either of us! And I adore Tara and count her as a friend after sharing such a beautiful, personal moment with her, such as the birth of her son.

Tara’s birth was the first I’ve photographed that was done completely at a hospital, and was medicated.  My first birth was done entirely at home. My second birth started at home and ended in a hospital due to complications with meconium. But both of those births were unmedicated births. I am so glad to have gotten the experience of shooting a medicated birth. I think a lot of people view birth photography as something only a natural birther would enjoy. “Because nothing bothers them, let alone a stranger in the room taking their picture!” The images will speak for themselves, but let me just say that I’ve learned that every birth is beautiful, whether it takes place in your bedroom or in a hospital room. Every birth is an accomplishment to be documented! Every birth accomplishes the same task, and that of course is to bring new life into this world. The emotions of the event are no different, and no more special one way or the other. Not to mention, birth photography is not about the pain and difficulty of birth. Â I hope that seeing these photos will help those that are on the fence about this type of photography to see the value and beauty in it. I, personally, cannot imagine foregoing the opportunity to have such a rare and wondrous thing captured. If I could, I would go back and have a photographer at each one of my births in a heartbeat.

{upon arrival tara was really beginning to feel like this was really happening}

{one of the most precious things I get to photograph during a birth is the amount of love and support the father freely gives to the mother of his child}

{ty’s sweet outfit is all laid out}

{epidrual is in, but tara can still feel what is going on}

{Tara’s daughter hayley arrives with grandma!}

{we’re getting down to business now}

{it’s time}

{the OB arrives}

{tara begins to push}

{and daddy delivers his son}

{11:04 am}

{ty is healthy and loud!}

{8 lbs. 4 oz.}

{daddy calms his son}

{big sister comes back in the room}

{peek-a-boo!}

{checking to see if mommy and baby are alright}

{and then they were 4}

{congrats tara and aaron! <3}