To Infinity and Beyond!, A First Birthday

Before anything, I would like to apologize for not being able to update my blog. I have been a bit overwhelmed with all the work cut out for me, not to mention my extra-curricular work activities. If anyone is interested, I am open to hiring a part-time back-up to help me document births and edit pictures. Please contact me at +632-2115007 or regina@mystoryphotography.com.ph.

Anyway, going back... one of the many lovely things about a birth photographer is bearing witness to such lovely babies born -- but even more lovely is being able to see them grow!

I cant believe that it has been 1 whole year since my first water birth. I will forever remember that experience of how brave and strong a mother's body is and how it is completely capable of birthing a baby on its own. 

click HERE for more on their BIRTHstory.

Six months after, I was able to photograph baby L at his baptism...

...and now at his first birthday! My does time fly! 

He is such a loved little boy! I look up at his parents for being so hands-on. Imagine, Mommy is still purely breastfeeding (that in itself is tough, I know because I did that too), they are both working a full time job, and they choose not to have a nanny! Oh my... what heroes!

On top of all that, they are artists so they were determined to get everything perfect. And perfect it was! They thought of every single detail of the party! From the customized backdrop, the gigantic cake, the themed balloons and centerpieces, the dessert corner, giveaways, prizes, entertainment, photo corner... even the family costumes! Superheroes indeed!

His parents always remind him that I was the first to see him (what a privilege!!!)... somewhere inside, I think he remembers :)

Happy happy birthday little Baby L. I pray unlimited blessings upon you and your family. May you be healthy and overflowing in love :)

Adorable, Teaser Post

Isn't he just adorable?? So much chubbiness makes you just want to squeeze him all over! He was such a behaved little boy, hardly ever complained. He had this expression that looked like he has perpetually in deep thought. Cute!!!

There were a few rare moments when he would relax his eyebrows, he looked like a completely different baby! Its amazing how little ones can have so many different expressions at such an early age! I enjoy trying to capture them all :) 

Stay tuned for more!!!

Twice the LOVE!, Teaser Post

What an awesome day! Couldn't wait until I browsed through all my hundreds of pictures before posting this. Such adorable twins!!! 

L1 and L2 in their baptismal outfits. Doesn't she just look so dainty and feminine and he so "macho" and playful?

Extremely adorable! I cant say it enough! Love their outfits here :) Thanks to Ninang C for picking them out.

CUTENESS!!!!!!! :) It was tough getting them both in this position, he was a crawler and wanted to go places! She was a bit different though and simply loved it in this nook!

Hmmmmm... flash-forward, 18 years from now? hehehe :) More pictures to come, stay tuned!

Family + Little Ms. Long Lashes, a HOMEstory

Just a few weeks after delivering her baby, Mommy P invited me over to do their HOMEstory. I was excited to join them as this was going to be my first Indian family to photograph. I spent some time in India when I was still working in the corporate world and was amazed by their colorful culture! 

True enough, we had our lovely share of kurtis and sarees in such vibrant colors! Grandma was even there to prepare some authentic samosas and Indian sweets that brought me right back to the time I was in Mumbai.

As they are only in Manila temporarily, Mommy P also wanted some classic shots to remind her of the place where she birthed her daughter.

I love little baby parts! As time passes, its easy to forget how small our children used to be. I'd like to think of this as a reminder of how you cared for them at a time when they were so tiny and fragile.

Mommy P took childbirth classes with Chiqui Brosas. She delivered her first baby in Mumbai via c-section. Sadly, it was not her choice and she felt forced into it. This second time around, she wanted to do all she could to deliver her baby naturally. When she spoke to me of her birth, I was amazed! She chose to labor most of the time at her own home and said she was glad that she did. Labor seemed so much easier in a comfortable and familiar place. Plus she had her family and household help around her for emotional and physical support! Labor progressed quickly. Just a few moments after she got to the hospital she was ready to push her baby out! Maybe it is true what natural advocates say, that laboring in the hospital where you are constantly poked, prodded and given a time limit can pressure a mom and slow down labor. Anyway, I was so proud of her for going through it...

I recall Mommy telling me how attached her eldest daughter was to her, to the point that she'd get jealous when her own Daddy would get close. I imagined it being tough on her having a newborn little sister. But I pleasantly surprised when I came to photograph them. She came to me proud of her little sister, telling me how she was a big sister now. Even more adorable was how playful, sweet and loving she was towards her sister during the shoot. She really took being an older sister to heart, it was such a heart-warming thing to witness.

What a beautiful family indeed. Welcome to the world Little Ms. Long Lashes! 

Three Months Later, Teaser Post

Oh how time flies! I first photographed this boy when he was still in him mother's belly. A few months later, I saw him at the hospital nursery for his NEWBORNstory shoot. Its been three months since and that once small boy has grown so much! Look at those chubby cheeks!!!! :)

My Long Lashes, Teaser Post

Today's baby girl had beautiful long lashes! I am jealous :) I am addicted to a baby's gaze :)

Little Angelic Baby Boy, Teaser Post

Isn't he darling? And he is as angelic as he looks. He was so behaved from the moment I arrived, hardly letting out a whimper. Stay tuned for more about their HOMEstory.

Little Luna, a HOMEstory slideshow

When I met Daddy and Mommy, we agreed on doing a NEWBORNstory shoot at the hospital. But some complications arose so we decided to wait when all was better. A few weeks later,

Mommy was so organized and prepared! She was calm and composed. It was as if she didn't have a newborn at all! She came complete with outfits, props and even food and drinks for lunch! And there was no yaya in the picture that day! Where does one find the time? Talk about supermom!

Maybe it was because Daddy was so good with Luna. He changed her, fed her, calmed her, put her to sleep... He was like superdad himself!

Or maybe it was because Luna was so easy to take care of! She would hardly fuzz and when she did, a little shushing would calm her down right away. A friend once told me that babies that go through a tough time in the NICU are generally behaved. I wonder if thats true?

Nevertheless, it blessed me to be with this family and see such love and excitement for their baby. We had fun dressing Luna in all the simple silly wishes they had for her - a football (soccer) player, a musician... We took our time and let little Luna set the pace of the shoot. In the end, we got some awesome shots and was even able to sneak a short video.

P.S. I am no videographer, but I like to sneak a few videos here and there. I feel it sometimes helps tell the story...

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! :)

What is your Baby Coming as this Halloween?

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