Click it Up a Notch: August

I think I'm in love! I love taking pictures of my son playing basketball. Every year I buy something new to help me improve my chances of a good shot. A camera which can handle noise a little better, a new lens (or 2, or 3). I must admit some guilt would always come with each purchase, even though I was using birthday or Christmas money, how could I justify spending so much money when he only has x amount of years left to play? 

The story starts in March when my sister, who is studying to be a midwife asked if I would photograph a home birth. What?! I was very hesitant, I had never done one before and didn't even know if I could capture the pictures in such horrible lighting. I mean basketball gyms are bad but who are we kidding. Then I started thinking about what a great opportunity it would be. Ever since my sister had her own home birth 10.5 years ago I have been trying to see another birth. Imagine how disappointed I was to find out I couldn't commit because my son had a huge basketball tournament and we would be out of town. But the damage was done. I couldn't stop thinking about capturing a birth. I started doing research but had no idea how to approach friends who were pregnant. I am part of a facebook group where younger women can ask questions of older experienced moms. So I decided to add a post stating I was interested in capturing a birth and if anyone was interested let me know.

I almost couldn't stand not checking facebook on an hourly basis. And then there it was, my daughter's former ballet teacher said she was interested! Fast forward, I get a text around 1245am stating they are heading to the hospital. I am so nervous and praying the whole way. What was I thinking?! I couldn't do this, what if all the pictures came out horrible? After 6 hours of laboring in the hospital a beautiful baby girl was born and 700 pictures were taken (come on, it was my first time and I was afraid of missing something, and she had like 20 visitors within 2 hours of the baby being born). I was in love! Not only did I get to see the miracle of birth but I also experienced this couple's amazing love and support for each other. 

Yes, I'm in love, this is what I'm meant to do. I know it's not picture perfect, highlights are blown, it's noisy and tilted (I tried straightening it but I didn't like the way it looked) but I think the moment was captured.