The Birth of Amelia | Lynchburg Virginia Hospital Birth Photographer
Is today really Wednesday? In some ways it feels like a Monday... in others, a Friday. I returned home last night after spending two full days in the hospital photographing two birth experiences back-to-back... and while that can feel like a lifetime, it also feels like the rest of the world should have been standing still!
Launching The Birth Session Website
With the new year around the corner and the holidays in full swing, my mind has been on goal setting, reviewing what did and didn't work in 2013, and brainstorming ways to create a better experience for my clients in 2014.
One thing that didn't work for me in 2013 was burnout. I pushed my boundaries quite a bit and learned from it. With that in mind, I started brainstorming ways I could find a healthier balance between doing what I love (photographing love) and paying the bills. There's a lot that goes into running a business that isn't always a ton of fun. But, it's necessary in order to maintain a career of doing what I love.
After much thinking and conversing with Tommy, we've decided to dive full force into bringing The Birth Session to life in 2014. I made the big announcement on Facebook this morning, but I wanted to make sure my blog readers didn't miss the news:
I've launched a new website for the birth side of things,
and a new Facebook page.
Because birth is such a passion of mine, I didn't want my wedding and portrait photography business to become overwhelmed with birth pictures and conversations. While the two types of photography are similar in that they are both photojournalistic and full of emotion, they are also obviously different. So this is a great way to help keep things separate and to respect my brides, grooms, and families who have no interest in birth whatsoever.
I hope you'll come over and like the new Facebook page. (And share it with your friends if you think they may be interested, too!)
Now offering Birth Sessions
It's no secret how passionate I am about birth and the time period (that seems frozen for women living in it) surrounding birth. I am a part of the leadership team of a local non-profit, The Motherhood Collective, which greatly nurtures this passion of mine. Our target niche is a small one: women in the short (yet, oh so long) season between hoping-to-be-expecting and the postpartum period. My favorite group to connect with are mamas with growing bellies who are educating themselves about their birth options and planning for the future of their precious babe. I could talk birth for hours.
The Home Birth Slideshow of Sunday Quinn
What better way to wrap up A Week of Sundays than with the grand finale of her birth slideshow! :)
If you haven't already, feel free to read my birth story before you watch the slideshow.
Sunday Quinn's Birth Story, pt. 1 Sunday Quinn's Birth Story, pt. 2
A year after Sunday was born, I have finally put the finishing touches on her slideshow. This is the first slideshow I've created using iMovie and it was easy and complicated at the same time! I am sure there were easier ways to do a lot of the things I did but I had to go about just doing it the only way I knew how! I am happy with how it turned out... even if some of the tight crops feel a little too intimate. :) I think it's a great illustration of the last 5 hours of our labor and delivery experience with Sunday.
Even though I was pretty detailed with my birth story and I shared some pretty rough pictures of myself along with it... it is still a little nerve wracking sharing this whole slideshow with you all. But... I'm taking a deep breath and hitting "publish." I hope it encourages just ONE person to stop and research their options for labor and delivery... because it really can be a wonderful and empowering experience for women!
If you missed them, check out the other posts from A Week of Sundays: Week of Sundays: Day 1 | Goose Beary Shop Giveaway! A Week of Sundays: Day 2 | Our Must Have Products for Baby’s First Year, pt. 1 A Week of Sundays: Day 3 | Our Must Have Products for Baby’s First Year, pt. 2 A Week of Sundays: Day 4 | Things My Daughter Has Taught Me A Week of Sundays: Day 5 | A year in pictures A Week of Sundays: Day 6 | Things about Sunday Quinn I am thankful for A Week of Sundays: Day 7 | Sunday’s Birthday Party