The Beginning...

This is my 'brilliant' (to my mind, anyway!) brainstorm, something I've thought about here and there but never really spent much energy considering. But, the more I think of it... the more I wish I had some nice, quality pictures (or even less than quality) from the labors and births, and first few hours, of my daughters' lives. My husband was present for both, but during the labors he was more focused on me, and - to be honest - I couldn't have cared less at that point if there were being pictures taken. That said... now I would like to have a few more memories to look back upon, and serve as an intimate memento of the miracle of birth.

I am far from a professional photographer... my camera is very simple, point-and-click, and I have little to no editing software (right now). However, I would love to do a few sample 'shoots' to see if there really is a way to capture the beauty of birth in still photographs.

I have been working as a registered nurse in labor/delivery and the newborn nursery for the past two years, and love it; I also teach childbirth classes and am active in promoting prenatal education and care. I enjoy scrapbooking - but hardly even get a chance to, so am far behind on my girls' books.

Attempting to work on a scrapbook for my second daughter, Olena, posed some problems. I wanted to have a nice collection of mementos and pictures from the time of her birth until her baptism, and planned to leave the book out for family to enjoy during the celebration of her christening. I realized then, though, that the pictures taken during my labor and delivery consisted of a few upon admission, and a couple immediately before pushing. They were the usual candids, and did the trick for the book - but left me thirsting for more.

In reality, I find myself wondering... would women be interested in this kind of thing? Would it be feasible? I think it would be a certain kind of expectant parent, which is fine - and there would have to be a connection there between myself and the mother (or couple). Sharing this intimate occasion would require a great deal of trust and openness. Ideally, I'd like to blend into the surroundings of the woman's labor... just there, quietly and unobtrusively snapping pictures. Not crotch shots, not painful poses - simply candid, unrehearsed glimpses of what really happens.

Hmmmm.... the best beginning for this, I think, would to find a couple (or couples) willing to share this time with me with no expectations either way. In exchange for allowing me into this private time, all pictures would be the property of the mother at no cost (with an agreement that they could be used - at her discretion - for either 'promotional' purposes, such as on the blog, or for the slideshow presented in my childbirth class)....