when life changes in an instant

There are few times in life when you know that your life has changed forever. Last week, my dear friends, Josh and Emily, experienced that in the most profound way when they welcomed their beautiful son, Leo, into the world. (You may remember Josh from our photo session last year.) Jason and I arrived at the birth center just a couple of hours after he was born. The energy in the space was palpable. There was joy and laughter and tears and disbelief. New life has a way of bringing all of one’s emotions to the surface.

Since I am expecting my first child this fall, I was soaking in all of the sights and sounds of this beautiful day in a deep way. I kept thinking, the baby was in Emily’s belly and now he’s here! Amazing! I know that people give birth every day, but it still blows my mind. It is truly miraculous.

I was really struck by how changed Josh and Emily were in such a short amount of time. We had just had sandwiches and gelato with them three days earlier, wondering when little Leo was going to make an appearance, and there they sat on the other side of the unknown. They had seen things that I have not yet seen. Exhausted and elated, they were in the thick of life. REAL life. And it couldn’t have been a more beautiful place to be.

It really was an honor to be there in those first hours of Leo’s life. I can honestly say that my life changed with his arrival. Little did I know on that day that his mama and daddy would ask me and Jason to be his Godparents. What an amazing honor. There are no words.

So since I’ve run out of words, I thought I would share with you a slideshow of photos I took just hours after Leo was born. I get a little weepy every time I watch it. You may want to grab a tissue. Consider yourself warned.

Everyone, meet my sweet Godson, Leo, his amazing parents, his grandmas, and the midwives who helped usher him into the world…

Music: Over the Rainbow by Ingrid Michaelson

Congratulations, Josh and Emily! I couldn’t be more thrilled for you and happy to be a part of Leo’s life. Here’s to many years of love, laughter, and music!

I have been so moved by my experiences photographing newborns this year that I have decided I want to do more of it! If you or someone you know is expecting a baby and would be interested in photos of those first precious moments of life, send me a note. It would be an honor to document the occasion for you.