Little Luna, Teaser Post

Mommy and Daddy originally contacted me to do a NEWBORNstory photo shoot for their baby. However, there were some complications during delivery so we were unable to take pictures in the hospital. We agreed to do the shoot at a less stressful time. Two weeks later, baby Luna was better and we did a HOMEstory shoot instead. Here are some teaser photos!

See little Luna's HOMEstory photo slideshow here! :)

A Natural and Unassisted Water Birth, Teaser Post

Wow! What a memorable birth this one was! Mommy was so determined to have a unmedicated water birth, and she did it! Only the second Mommy who has successfully done it in St. Lukes. As the doctors and nurses said, "Many have tried but..." 

Look at how awake and alert the baby was, just a few minutes after being delivered! This is the result of an unmedicated delivery :)

Daddy and Mommy were completely in control of everything that was happening. Even the baby just swam out without Mommy having to put any effort. It was a joy to watch. Cant wait to post their complete BIRTHstory! Stay tuned...

P.S. Want to learn more about natural and normal birthing? Check out Chiqui's Prepared Childbirth Class.

See their complete BIRTHstory here and their BIRTHstory photo slideshow here! :)

A Superhero's Shower, Teaser Post

This one is a superhero-themed baby shower I covered as a favor to a friend. I loved all the little details they had! Plus, the games were awesome! We threw in a few maternity shots as well. The parents look lovely, right? :) Stay tuned for more... 

A Big Baby Boy, a Brave Mommy, and a Supportive Daddy, a BIRTHstory Slideshow

A Big Baby Boy, a Brave Mommy and a Supportive Daddy, a BIRTHstory from My Story Photography on Vimeo.

Births are always so moving... I couldn't help but tear while making this slideshow. To read the complete BIRTHstory, see A Big Baby Boy, a Brave Mommy, and a Supportive Daddy, a BIRTHstory. To view the slideshow in youtube, click on this link.

What is your Baby Coming as this Halloween?

Halloween is fast approaching! Bring out the cute costumes Mommies and Daddies! :) 

A Big Baby Boy, a Brave Mommy, and a Supportive Daddy, a BIRTHstory

Every birth I cover is different and special in its own way. I will remember this birth for the big baby boy they delivered. This is their BIRTHstory from my eyes.

A few days before Mommy hit 40 weeks, Daddy informed me that if labor didn’t start in a few days, they were going to get induced. I cleared out my schedule and waited for their call. A day before THE day, I received a message informing me that their baby was getting quite huge and they were opting for a scheduled cesarean instead.

At 1pm, Daddy gave me the signal that they were going to make their way to the delivery room in an hour or so and that I would be joining them. I excitedly made my way to the hospital. I usually meet my clients before the delivery, but given the short notice, this was the first time I was meeting Daddy and Mommy. I found out that Daddy had a twin, and if they told me they were carrying twins as well I would have been convinced. Mommy was long and slender but in her tummy seemed to sport a large baby boy indeed!

We made our way to the delivery room to get prepped. I could see the anxiousness mixed with excitement in their eyes! In a few hours, they were going to meet their baby!



At around 5:00pm, Daddy and I were called into the OR to join Mommy. I could see Mommy was quite nervous but she remained calm and strong the entire time. Daddy stayed beside Mommy, holding and reassuring her.



I watched this couple as they went through their long-anticipated moment and reveled on how they found strength and comfort in each other.



A few minutes before 5:15pm, they were ready to deliver Baby R! He was a big one indeed. It was quite a challenge to pull him out. We all marveled when we first saw his chubby cheeks and full body! Did Mommy just birth a 3-month old? He was round and healthy and measured big for his age in every aspect.





Mommy was exhausted and nauseous from the medication, but when she saw her son up close, she let out a radiant smile.



I could tell Daddy was a very proud father. He had no trouble carrying his not-so-little one. Once he held him, he seemed to no longer want to let him go!



Congratulations to the family for a perfect baby boy. May this wonderful addition bring even more joy and love to your home.

Here's the email I received from the couple a few days later when I showed them the edited files and photo slideshow. It was so sweet, I was extremely touched :)

Dearest Rej,

Awwww... this is just perfect! It's the perfect BIRTHstory of our son. Thank you so much for documenting this event for us. We will always relive the happiness of that day through your photos. We did not make a mistake in choosing you to do our birth photos... From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU, thank you for this wonderful photos you did for us.

I want to share it on FB and show every Mom/ Dad to be that this is one (to professionally hire a photographer) of the greatest decisions they will make when they give birth.

We are so happy... Thank you so much again.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Safe in Mommy's Arms, Teaser Post

I first met this family when they were pregnant. I dont usually do maternity shoots, but Mommy really wanted my help with one, so I obliged to throw one in with the package. Im glad we did it because we ended up having tons of fun! :)

A few weeks later, their baby boy was born. He was glued to his Mommy's arms! Thank you to this family who made me feel more than just a birth photographer :) I enjoyed laughing and chit-chatting with you guys :) Till we meet again!

A Big Baby Boy, Teaser Post

Congratulations to this dear family for a big and healthy baby boy! He came out looking like a 3 month old - round and extremely huggable! :) This was quite a hard delivery for Mommy but she remained strong and calm throughout the delivery. I applaud her. Praying for a speedy recovery for Mommy.

An Abundance of Love, Affection, and Laughter for “Baby J”, a NEWBORNstory

Births are not something that can be planned. On top of this, births in the Philippines are often treated as hospital procedures where much of the control is in the hands of the hospital and doctors. On the other hand, births are special occasions for families. A lot of unconditional love and hard work goes into labor. Then, when the baby is finally delivered, it is the first time father, mother and child meet each other. Births are unpredictable and special at the same time. I find that my job,as a birth photographer is to adjust and compromise to be able to capture this very special moment in a highly unpredictable environment...

In my earlier post “Amidst a Storm, A Beautiful Boy is Born”, I mentioned that I was unable to cover the birth of Daddy and Mommy T due to hospital policies. So instead, we agreed to play it by ear and photograph whatever we could. After photographing baby J post-delivery, we decided that I would visit them at the hospital once they were settled in.

When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to see tons of visitors sharing their love and smiles with the family! I stayed a few hours, and witnessed at least 5 people come and go, and each one came in a cheerful and jolly mood!

Mommy T, even after undergoing a long labor, seemed full of energy herself!

Daddy T, amazingly good and comfortable with handling his newborn baby, was ever so helpful and supportive.

Baby J, on the other hand, was undisturbed by all that was happening around him. He was content and happy to simply sleep. And when he did get fuzzy, all he needed was a comforting hug from his Daddy and Mommy, and a cozy suckling. 

At the end of the day, although we were not able to capture the delivery itself, what we did capture was how this newborn baby was greeted with an overflowing abundance of love, affection and laughter. I wish Baby J to continuously be surrounded by joyous and supportive people all throughout his life! 

Bikini Baby!

Showing off this little ones curves!!! Hihihi :) Whether you have rock hard abs, a bit of a pouch or Mommy-stretch-mark-tiger-stripes, everyone should feel comfy and "un-judged" in a bikini. Have a good week every one :)

Amidst A Storm, A Beautiful Boy is Born, A BIRTHstory

Mommy T has been a friend of mine since my younger schooling days. So when I found out she was on the way, I immediately offered to photograph her birth. Much to my delight, she agreed. We were to do a BIRTHstory coverage. However, a few weeks before her due date, we found out that although her OB as amenable, the hospital was quite strict in letting other people besides the husband inside the delivery room. We were both a bit disappointed but agreed that I would still be there to capture what I could.

A few days later, I got a message from Daddy T informing me that they had checked in the hospital at 1cm. I knew it could go quick or slow from there so I kept my schedule free in case labor decided to speed up.

The next day at around 5pm, I decided to pay Daddy and Mommy T a visit. They were checked in a room patiently waiting for labor to progress. Grandpa and Grandma where there as well, all excited and anticipating what was going to happen next.

The last IE read at 3cm. I spent some time with the family and was just in time to witness the next IE which read 5cm! Labor was progressing! Mommy T was wheeled to the delivery room with Daddy close by. We all said our well wishes and saw them off with one thing in mind: the next time we see them they would be a happy threesome!

I headed out to dinner and waited for Daddy T to let me know when their bundle was delivered. By 1am the next day, I still hadn’t heard from Daddy T, so I decided to give the hospital a ring. I found out that Mommy T was to undergo an cesarean due to the baby’s heartbeat declining. I knew I had to be at the hospital at least an hour later to get some good post-delivery pictures! I quickly grabbed my gear and made my way.

When I got to the hospital, Daddy and Mommy were still in the delivery room but a few minutes later the baby was delivered and brought to the nursery. I quickly called Grandpa and Grandma and we all headed to greet Baby J.

It was a happy moment. Baby J was a big and healthy baby boy. We watched him through the nursery glass as he got accustomed to his new world. Daddy was full of smiles and I think I even caught a few happy inside tears from Grandpa and Grandma.