Baby M | Hampton Roads Birth Photographer

I love Birth Photography | Hampton Roads Birth Photographer

 I love photographing birth.

I feel privileged to be invited to sit in on such an intimate moment, watching, observing and capturing two people as they prepare to bring a brand new tiny human into the world.

Isaac James

Happy Birthday Baby G!

Happy Birthday baby G! So grateful I was able to be part of your birth story. 

To celebrate today I am officially launching my Facebook page for my business. 

To see Baby G's slideshow click on the picture below.

Why Hire A Birth Photographer?

Please watch this incredible video from a fellow Birth Photographer in New Zealand

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Birth - First Light Birth Photography - Auckland, New Zealand from Keri-Anne Dilworth on Vimeo.

All images copyright of First light birth photography - Auckland, New Zealand
Music copyright - Second class citizen by Dexter Britain (Licensed via themusicbed.com)

Sibling Slideshow

I belong to a birth photography group on facebook, Laura Eckert from New Creation Birth Photography (http://www.fb.com/ncbirthphotography), put together this nice collection from 73 different professional birth photographers for a sibling slideshow. I am honored to have one of my photos chosen

Click it Up a Notch October

After spraining both ankles the Saturday before labor day, I was praying my momma would  birth her baby later than earlier. When I got the phone call I was still using a cane, having a hard time standing for hours and not very steady on my feet. Thankful momma labored mostly at home and had the baby with in the hour once we arrived to the hospital. Because of some minor complications the room was packed with extra people and because of my ankles I had to pick a spot and stay there. Momma wanted me to focus on dad's reaction so once I felt he wasn't going to move anymore I picked my spot and hoped he stayed there. Normally dad is a funny jokester always ready to make the room laugh, watching his wife as she labored through birthing their third child caught up with him.  

Hampton Roads Birth Photographer: Birth of baby G and Week 40

 I had the opportunity to capture another birth this week. Mom was absolutely amazing. We were at the hospital less than hour when she had baby G since she did most of her laboring at home. Since every October baby decided to be born in the same 24 hours the wheeled him to the nursery to get him cleaned up and measured so I wasn't able to capture any of his firsts.

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.

Hampton Roads Birth Photographer: First Birth Story

I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to shoot my first birth. J and D are dear to my heart. My daughter took ballet from J for several years and was in her wedding. I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to be with them. D's love and tenderness toward J during labor was so touching and the way they communicated and interacted with each other was inspiring.