I loved all of little Emma’s hair…it was perfect for all the bows Kristin had been stock-piling. We decided that yellow was her best color, which automatically means that she’s going to be a gorgeous little girl. Who can pull off yellow??? Only the gorge.

Kristin and Kevin, thanks so much for letting me photograph yet another milestone for you. I look forward to watching Emma grow through my lens for years to come!

I wanted to take the time to address some of the big questions I get about birth photography, both from expectant mothers, and from the (non-expectant) people that I mention birth photography to.

• Why would I want pictures from my child’s birth?

Well, in my mind the real question is why wouldn’t you want pictures of your child’s birth…but I suppose some might need convincing. Childbirth, as anyone who has experienced it knows, such an emotional event, no matter how many times you’ve done it. The idea of carrying a life inside of you for 9 months, nurturing and caring for yourself so that you can in turn nurture and care for this new life, and then meeting that life for the first time is a truly remarkable feat. No matter how much technology and 3D imaging the tech world develops, nothing can compare to meeting and holding your child for the very first time. Seeing their little eyes look up at you, greeting you for the first time is difficult to describe in words. However, the details of those memories can quickly fade after long, sleepless nights, dirty diapers, and growth over the years. What better way to preserve them forever than with professional, documentary style portraits?

• Can’t my husband/partner/sister/friend/mom just take pictures of my baby’s birth?

Sure. But if you’ve invited them to be in the room when your baby comes into the world, chances are they’re a pretty important person in your life. Which means you’d probably like to have them there to support you and love on you during your laboring, instead of making them have the job of having a camera in front of their face. Furthermore, chances are, the person you ask to take those pictures knows you and loves you too, which could inhibit their ability to be discreet. This person may be more likely to stick a camera in your face and say “SMILE” in the middle of a heavy contraction. Ok, maybe not. But you get the idea. A professional is just that…they know how to stay out of the way of the hospital staff and your friends and family members.

• Do you take pictures of the baby actually coming out?

Only if that is something that you want. If you hire me to be your birth photographer, I have a list of questions to ask you to help you decide just how much of the birth you’d like to see in pictures. During our consult, I’ll get an idea of just what you’d like to see in your images. There are many ways to capture the feeling and intensity of the moment without invading your privacy with my camera. However, if during your consult you express a desire to see everything, then everything you shall have. The power is in your hands!

• What do I get when I pay for birth photography, and what’s included in my package?

The price of birth photography includes my time (which varies with every woman, and includes on call time around your due date), and an album of your images. The base album that is included is a storybook album, but you have the option to upgrade. Samples are available at your consultation.

When you contract me to photograph your birth, I am literally on call for a total of 3 weeks surrounding your due date; 2 weeks before, and 1 week after. That means that I’m very careful about what I schedule during those 3 weeks. I don’t do anything that I can’t leave in an instant, and I don’t travel more than 30 minutes outside of the city. Once your labor begins, I’m around for the duration of your labor as well as 2 hours afterwards. I will take breaks, but only when I’m sure that I won’t miss anything. The hours after the birth are devoted to your baby. It usually is enough time to cover the baby getting cleaned up, measured, weighed, eating their first meal, and having their first bath.

Once your images are edited, you’ll have an in-home viewing session. I know what it’s like to have a new baby, and I certainly won’t expect you to be going anywhere. At that time, you’ll be able to pick your images for your album, I’ll create it and order it, and you’ll have it for a lifetime.

• Won’t having one more pair of eyes on me during delivery make me uncomfortable? (Ok, no one has ever asked that, but I know they’re thinking it!)

Maybe at first. But once your labor starts progressing, you won’t even know I’m in the room. I stay as far away as possible, to ensure the safety of you and your baby.  My goal is to take a completely documentary approach to your birth. It’s your show, and I just watch, and capture all the love for you to remember for a lifetime.

If you have any other questions about birth photography that I didn’t cover here, please be sure to leave a comment or message me! I’d be thrilled to  talk with you about your birth, and answer any other questions you may have. I’ll leave you with this sweet shot I got of this brand new girl and her daddy at the hospital the other day.

Amy and I spoke on the phone, and we had decided to do her maternity photos and after Christmas. But we waited about a day too long because Amy starting feeling the beginning of labor, and wasn’t feeling up to the belly pictures. I completely understood, having labored twice myself, and told her and Ken to give me a call when that baby made his appearance. I was thrilled to get the text letting me know that baby Joshua had made his appearance, and shocked and proud that tiny little Amy had brought a 7lb 15oz baby into the world! Atta girl!
Ken texted me and let me know that they wanted pictures to be done as soon as possible. I was thrilled when he said they wanted to do the pictures as soon as they got home from the hospital…as in, they got home around 12:30, and I arrived around 2. I was so excited, because it’s just remarkable how much babies change in their first few days of life. I was soooo excited to meet Joshua, and preserve his sweet newbornness (it’s a technical term) for his parents.

Amy and Ken, congratulations! What a year full of blessings you have had… and I feel blessed and grateful to have been able to capture some of your most cherished moments.

A couple of weeks ago I was thrilled to have a Girls Weekend in Durango, Colorado.  While I was there, I offered a mini-session, and I was SO excited when my beautiful friend Emily took advantage of the offer.  I’ve known Emily for many many years, and she has an incredibly adorable family!  Her hubby was out of town on a fishing trip, so it was just her and her little guys.  And boy oh boy, do these two make ADORABLE boys.  (I’m sure that if they had a daughter that she’d be adorable too!)

The 9th Street Bridge area in Durango is one of my favorite places I’ve ever been to on the planet.  When I was in college, I spent many hours there on the rocks watching the river go by and pretending to study.  :)

When I see this picture I can hear the boys laughing in my mind.

Emily! It was so much fun to see you.  Thanks for giving me the chance to do what I do in one of my favorite places on Earth!

Remember Rachel? Well, her adorable little baby bump turned out to be an even more adorable baby boy!  He arrived April 10th, and was just 13 little days old when I met him!  He was still so smooshy…and can I just tell you, I love the baby smoosh.  Babies only have this smoosh for the first 2 or maybe 3 weeks of life before they start to change and much more resemble the child versions of themselves.  So, I caught this little guy just in time!  And he was an absolute doll.  I think he cried for all of 3.2 seconds, fell asleep for a quick catnap, and then was just pleased as punch to be awake and check out the new world around him.

Little baby fingers and toes are my favorite thing about small humans.  Even now, with my children being much bigger than newborns…I still adore their little hands and feet.  LOVE them.  And when they’re this mini…how can you resist!!

Rachel was kind enough to let me hold little “B” as soon as I got there.  He fell asleep in my arms, which is baby speak for “I really like you.”  We’re obviously good friends now…I think he was trying to wave at me here.

After several facebook chat conversations, I shared an idea that had kind of been forming in the back of my mind.  A commercial for Lamb Photography Company.  I don’t really do much advertising, but my “about me” page just didn’t quite measure up to what I wanted people who didn’t know me to see about me.  So, Kyle came along on this past weekend’s engagement shoot in Denver and did another amazing job.

So, thanks to Kyle Koziol of Kozi Visuals, I give you the Lamb Photography Company commercial.  That’s right, a commercial. For me. I feel VERY proud.  And, I think you can probably guess who I’d recommend if you were looking for an amazing videographer for your wedding or event.  Click on the link below to watch it!

The Commercial!

Huge thanks to Anna and Tim, who you’ll see more of when I blog their engagement shoot.  And of course, to Kyle for being so inspirational, and helping me keep my cool.  I really spend all my time behind the camera, so this whole idea was kind of unnerving for me.  During the part where I was shooting Anna and Tim, I didn’t even know he was there.  See? I told you he was quality.  :)

FIRST!

I’m heading southwest to Durango for the weekend of April 29th and will be offering 5 Mini Sessions on a first-come, first-served basis!  The Mini-Sessions are $75.  All the details are below!  I would say book now for the best spot, but they’re all good spots.  Come on, it’s Durango!  But you should hurry…this is an awesome deal, and with only 5 spots, they’re sure to go fast!

Second!

I would absolutely LOVE to shoot your wedding in Durango, Colorado.  I will be offering local prices (that means NO TRAVEL FEE, and a savings of $300) for any couple who books their 2011 wedding in Durango!

To cash in on either of these awesome deals, just email amanda@lamb-photo.com, or call 719.648.2152!

When she told me that she’d be thrilled to allow me (and my camera!) into her delivery room, I was ecstatic.  I’d been wanting to photograph a birth ever since I met the amazing Charlotte Geary for coffee one night, and she mentioned that she was on call to photograph a birth.  I was instantly intrigued!  I’ve, of course, had two children of my own, but I had never actually seen a child be born.  It was TRULY an amazing experience, and I’m so very grateful that Tiffany allowed me to be a part of her sweet baby girl’s birth.

Tom Petty was so right…the waiting sometimes really IS the hardest part.  So true for these excited ladies!

Thank you SO much Tiff!  You’re an amazing mama!

If you are interested in more information about birth photography for yourself or someone you know, please contact me using the contact form on this site, or by calling (719) 648-2152 or emailing amanda@lamb-photo.com.

It’s always amazing to watch a man become a father.  I saw it happen to my husband…  for 9 months, while I was trying to decide how to do what was best for me and my baby, he was anxious about the baby, and worried about me.  But then, the instant he held our daughter for the first time, I could see it all over his face…he had changed into a father.  It brought tears to my eyes then, and it still does when I think about it now.  Although, being that I only have older brothers, this is the first time I’ve been lucky enough to see that transition happen to any of the other men I love…or at least been old enough to appreciate the change.  But I noticed it the first time I saw Austin with his daughter…and each time I see him with her I notice it again.  It’s all over his face…That’s my daughter…and I’m SO proud! I love it.

Austin, Jill and Landry…You’re such a beautiful family!  Love you guys!

Cami, tell your mom, dad, and big brother thanks!

Happy birthday, Mr. Bean!  Your family loves you SO much.

If you’d like to tell Breckin happy birthday, leave a comment.  I’ll be sure to pass along the message!  :)

Sweet Landry was only 6 days old at the time of our session.  I was so excited that I got to photograph her when she was still so new!  Those little babies change so quickly so it’s always very special to get to photograph them in the first 10 days after their birthday.

Austin and Jill…thank you so much for letting me come photograph your sweet little girl.  Love you guys!

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Here are some of my favorites, but today I’ve saved my very favorite for last!  Congratulations, Sean and Shawnte.  You two are already such wonderful parents!

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