Three years ago, when I first started doing sessions for other families it was something fun to do that was able to help my family by bringing in a bit of extra income. I was invested in the images and was so thankful for my clients, but it ended there. The beauty of being human though, is that we can morph and change, and with each new client who took the leap of faith on me, I became more and more invested in the stories I was telling. Much like an author, I felt I couldn’t truly tell the story without feeling it. And so, I started to open up with my clients, and in turn, asked them to open up to me. To share their history, their love stories, and their fears. The result is that I started to look forward to not only capturing memories, but to also seeing families again. To hear their birth stories and to see their eyes light up when they told me how there is no way they could have imagined a love so powerful exists. I look at my calendar where due dates are marked, and cross my fingers that they won’t have to wait much longer to meet their new tiny human. I am genuinely happy when I get that text that the wait is over. It’s more than just a job now.

It was smack-dab in the middle of this newborn session when it hit me. That photography is only part of it. Breastfeeding wasn’t going as well as she’d hoped. I knew it going in, and we’d talked about if now was the right time for the session. We gave ample time for everyone to get help, and it was getting better, but still not great. And while I stood there, with my camera to my eye, watching a new mom grimace during the first few seconds of latch, I blinked back hot tears. Memories of my own struggles flooded back. Struggles that were never documented, and now only live within my fading memories. I knew what she was going through and wanted so badly to honour the reality of the situation while still capturing the deep love that came with it. I wiped away the tear rolling down my cheek, and with empathy, captured a journey. Not for me, but for them. Because I’ve done this for long enough now that I know the best stories are the ones which are told from a place that is filled with a mixture of empathy and artistry.

This session also marks the first time I’ve been lucky enough to capture a new mama and babe being serenaded during a session. It was incredibly beautiful. Make sure to watch all the way to the end of the slideshow because I don’t think I was the only one feeling emotional during this session.

This is the story of Daniel and his family. The slideshow is a combo of their maternity and newborn sessions, with a few of my favourite stills below.

Thank you V & B for allowing me to share your reality.

 

 

Ready to have the real story of your incredibly deep love captured? Fiddle Leaf Photography offers newborn photography in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert and surrounding areas. Send me a message today and we’ll work together on making sure this part of your life is documented. 

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