Sweet, sweet baby...

I was so excited to have another birth booked in for the beginning of November.
Preparing myself for 'the' call at any time of the day or night!

But Laura simply wasn't well enough to continue on with the pregnancy.
So at 34 weeks sweet, tiny, little Lily was born.
Into an unknown world.
Where the likelihood of her getting whisked straight to the humidicrib was high.

But Lily had other plans!
She was healthy enough to sneak in 10 minutes of cuddles with Dad, and then she was put into the humidicrib just to monitor her.

So I stayed until Grandma and Grandad got to see Lily for the first time.
Then the next day I went back to capture some mummy cuddles:-)

Three weeks later, Lily had put on enough weight and was allowed to go home :-)  So yesterday I visited them at home for one last lot of photos!




Lily's Birth Story from Bellakee J Photography on Vimeo.

Welcome baby girl...

I feel incredibly privileged to be invited to photograph another fellow photographers third birth.  With a planned caesarean there were no surprises on the day in which Stella would join this lovely family.  But I will admit that I WAS surprised with how early the c-section was booked in!  I was expecting a leisurely sleep in (for the new mum-to-be of course!).

Well, despite having 5 children of my own, a caesarean is a whole.new.world to me!  I had no idea what to expect!!

Arriving 15 minutes before Liz was to be taken to the anaesthetist, I found I was only minutes late in seeing her, as she was whisked away early!  So I then had the pleasure of chatting to Michael for about an hour...as he waited to join Liz in theatre for the delivery.

It then wasn't long until I was able meet their gorgeous little girl and witness the moments she shared with her Dad whilst waiting for mum to come out of recovery.  It is incredible to see how perfect c-section newborns are - no bruising or misshapen head!!  And little Stella was simply adorable.

Being able to share in the joy as Liz met her little girl for the first time was very special...as was the excitement of Stella's 2 big brothers as they examined her and gave her the gifts they had bought :-)

Thank you Michael and Liz for allowing me to be part of such a special time for you and your boys. xo



Stella's Birth from Bellakee J Photography on Vimeo.

A Beautiful Birth....

It was Monday night.
After a false excitement the week prior, at 6pm I received a text message.  Tonight COULD be the night.
I waited!
Like every night for the past 2 weeks, when I went to bed I made sure my phone was beside me and turned it OFF silent.
I was on call.
Ready to photograph a birth.

1am...the call comes.  LOUD in the silence of the night.
But I am instantly awake.
Excited.
By the time I made it into town...into the ghost of the hospital carpark, it was 2am.
I walked into the birth suite, only to be told they were going home.
WHAT????

They'd only just arrived and they were going to send them home - 1/2 hour away.
This is a woman so in tune with her body...it was her fourth baby after all.
Crazy.

So they decided to walk the street first.
We chatted, I photographed, I left them in peace.
And on their way back to tell me they'd decided that they would go home, it happened.
Her waters broke.
In the middle of the street.  Right.outside.the.hospital.
It was 2:40am.

Back in we all traipsed - and got the perfect midwife really.
It all makes part of an entertaining story...and they couldn't have been happier with the hospital.

I am going to say it now (with a touch of envy)...she was amazing during the birth.
Smiling, joking, quietly scrunching her face with every contraction.

We took bets on what time he would make his entrance into the world.
The girls won (yes...I felt the need to add that!).
At just minutes to 4am, a healthy little boy was born.
I was trying not to cry....it was beautiful.

And proud dad was there every step of the way.
To catch him.
To hold him.
To love him.

I was back home in bed by 6:30am.  How incredible is that??

After having five children of my own...this is the first birth I have been honoured enough to witness and photograph.  I feel incredibly privileged.  It was beautiful.  And the photos just remind me how special it truly was.




A Beautiful Birth from Bellakee J Photography on Vimeo.

Beautiful life within...

When Tearah first asked me if I'd be interested in photographing her birth...I was excited.
WAY excited!

When we met up a few weeks prior to her birth, Tearah, a fellow photographer, was planning on doing some self pregnancy shots, but then asked if I'd mind.
Did I mind?
Ummmm, yes!
I really have only done a couple of maternity shoots, and in no way consider myself a pregnancy photographer.
I'd actually say I'm scared of doing belly shots.
Weird when you consider I've been pregnant five times ;-)

But what I can say (plenty I'm sure!) - I think the photos speak for themselves really!
We had a great day bouncing ideas of each other.
Laughing lots.
Trying different things.
Some worked.
Lots didn't!

And wow - was she up for anything...even suggesting hopping in the pool, despite it not being the warmest of days!  And her sweet third child joined in for some of the photos too :-)

The fact that Tearah is one of the most beautiful pregnant (and even not pregnant) women I have had the pleasure of photographing certainly makes for some gorgeous images.
I'd be happy to look this good even when I'm NOT pregnant :-)

As for the birth...well I was blessed enough to witness and photograph that last week!  Stay tuned for that blog post!!