Alright friends – buckle up, this is going to be a long one!! I am so excited to finally share some photos from this crazy ride called life I’ve been on for the past month. This little guy is named Jett and he celebrated being one month old yesterday. I met his parents, Scarlet and Dan, about 8 months ago when they booked me for their engagement photos… and surprise! their pregnancy announcement! I was so thrilled to get to capture this exciting time for them & their soon-to-be growing family. I was even more thrilled when they asked me if I would be willing to photograph not only Jett’s newborn photos, but also their baby boy’s arrival into this world. I’d never done birth photography before, but I loved the relationship I had built with Scarlet & Dan and felt so honored that they wanted me to be a part of it.
I did as much research as I could during the last months of Scarlet’s pregnancy to prepare myself for being in the hospital room with them. I asked my fellow photographer friends about their experiences doing birth photography, talked to my sisters and friends with babies about their birth stories, and mentally pumped myself up for the experience. My game plan was basically to be a fly on the wall, capture the emotion and energy in the room, and tell their story to the absolute best of my abilities. I was going to be out of town on Scarlet’s actual due date (June 17th) but we both expected Jett to arrive most likely the week before or the week after (babies almost never come on their come on the actual “due date”!). On Sunday, June 4th, I was getting packed up to head to Vancouver to visit my sister who was in town from Nashville for a conference. Then I got the text from Scarlet – “I have started having some consistent contractions” – and that they were heading to the hospital to get checked out. My stomach dropped!! I of course knew this moment would come but seeing those words sent me into a nervous tail spin! I anxiously awaited every update from Scarlet – I had my phone on loud volume & vibrate at the Sounders match and my gear ready to go. Things were moving slowly though, and I went to bed Sunday night, phone still on loud. Scarlet was monitored throughout the night, sending me updates along the way, but was eventually sent home Monday morning to labor & rest.
I was on pins and needles the entire day. I had pushed my trip back in hopes of still getting to see my sister on Tuesday, but she of all people knows how insanely unpredictable birth can be and completely understood. I did my best to keep myself busy & occupied, all the while having my phone on me and jumping at every ding of every text. Finally, about 12 hours after they were sent home from the hospital, Scarlet’s water broke. I poked around online seeing how long after your water breaks until birth and everything I found was completely unhelpful!! I text Dan telling him to let me know how far along she was once they got to the hospital and when I should head over. Immediately upon their arrival to the hospital, Dan texts: “Come now!!!” I jump in my car, drive as quickly and (somewhat) legally as possible, rush to their room & arriving within 25 minutes – I reach my hand to open their door & hear the beautiful, wonderful sound of a new baby crying! Scarlet had barely made it to the delivery room, pushed once, and joyfully welcomed their new son.
At first I was so crushed that I had missed the actual birth – but I ran into the room and was immediately greeted with a huge hug from Dan saying “You came at the perfect time!” I whipped out my camera and started shooting. I was shaking all over, adrenaline pumping. Scarlet was holding Jett, doctors were doing their doctor things, and Dan, Scarlet’s mom and sister were standing around the bed beaming with happiness. They shared kisses, laughter, and tears as I snapped away overcome with emotion. Eventually, the nurses weighed and measured Jett, recorded his little foot prints, and then handed him to Dan for the first time. Watching a new father hold his son for the first time was so powerful. It brought tears to my eyes. Dan cradled him, kissed him, and gazed at this perfect little human he had helped create in complete awe. I stayed with them a little while longer, capturing grandma & aunt holding the baby. Scarlet and Dan even let me hold him – just 2 hours old. Feeling the weight of his tiny little body in my arms made me go weak in the knees! Also, I did make it up to Vancouver the following day to see my sister for a brief but wonderful visit : )
Scarlet and Dan are settling into parenthood now, and had me to their home in downtown Seattle two and a half weeks later for their less “new” newborn session. Beautifully lit by the natural light streaming in through their high rise windows, I captured them doting on their baby boy. I loved the Pacific Northwest themed nursery which also included the sign Scarlet’s sister had penned revealing the gender of their baby – “And she loved a little boy very very much, even more than she loved herself.” We took a stroll around their rooftop patio, fully embracing these city dwellers’ surroundings, tucked in between soaring skyscrapers. Scarlet & Dan – I couldn’t be more happy for you – I have loved watching you become parents, and fill your home with happiness. Jett is a lucky boy to have you supporting and encouraging him. Thank you for trusting me to tell your story over the last year; I can’t wait to see where life takes you! Congratulations, the best is yet to come!
Keep scrolling to see their at-home newborn session, in-hospital birth story, and their mini maternity session in my studio!
I’m tagging this blog as “First 48” instead of “Birth” since I wasn’t actually there for the birth! “First 48” or “Fresh 48” is a wonderful new photography trend that I love the idea of – while you’re still in the hospital, a photographer (me! wink, wink) comes to capture part of the first two days of life, rather than the actual birth. I think this is a amazing way of capturing the new-ness of parenthood, siblings meeting for the first time, or introducing your new baby to family and friends. I would love to get to do more “First 48” sessions in the future! Now, here is Scarlet, Dan & Jett’s incredible birth story…
Scarlet & Dan stopped by for a mini session at my studio during my Mommy & Me Minis on Mother’s day! I was so glad to get a few photos of them while they were still “expecting”! Isn’t Scarlet radiant?!
Check out more from their pregnancy announcement photos here!
And more from their downtown Seattle engagement session here!
I can’t express how much I love connecting with my couples through all of life’s adventures – It brings me so much joy to give my Forever Clients consistent images & experiences through all of their photography wants & needs. They level of trust & friendship is immeasurable! Thank you, thank you!
