Cape Town Birth Photographer » blomerusphotography.com

I almost missed Camden’s birth by a matter of hours. I was at another birth when I got the call that a c-section had been planned for him to arrive in the morning due to some complications that had arisen. I had to let Tarrin, his mom, know that there was a possiblity that I might have to send my back up my current mom hadn’t delivered in time. My policy is I never leave a birth until its over or it would disturb that mother’s experience. I also didn’t inform them this was happening because they don’t need the stress. While I have never had to use my back up thus far and she’s never needed me, we have contingency plans in place for this very reason. Tarrin was so gracious in understanding this might not work out. I had my stomach in knots at the thought of missing her birth. I make it a point to not miss births!

The plan was to meet at the hospital reception just before 6am. My back up was ready to go if needed. I would text her and Tarrin by 5 am if I couldn’t make it. It just barely all worked out. I left the other hospital at 2:30 am and texted them both so they would see it in a few hours that I was able to make it after all. After a quick refresher nap, I headed out to meet them, still very much on a high from seeing a little girl being born and now about to capture their son’s arrival. There is NOTHING like the moment a child is born. Its sacred and its the one thing I happily pull an all-nighter for.

I am so thankful it worked out in the end. I can’t imagine missing his birth. We formed such a beautiful bond. Thank you to Camden’s parents for hiring me and most importantly, trusting me with this historic day in your lives.

Here’s a bit of mom & dad’s thoughts on having their birth photographed. Enjoy their video and many more images not in the video. As always, these are shared graciously with family permission.

Wayne & Tarrin

 

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Note: The following is an unsolicited perspective from a first time dad. He writes of his own initiative. He and his wife have asked for total privacy for their birth photos, so I can’t show you their beautiful images of meeting their son, but they have allowed me to share with you these where their faces are not identifiable. As always I honour whatever privacy settings a couple chooses. So just because a man chooses to have his child’s birth photographed, doesn’t mean those photos have to be online.

When my wife told me that she was thinking about hiring a birth photographer to record the birth of our first baby, I was at first shocked, and then after the idea started to sink in, rather apprehensive.

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I had the privilege of capturing Aiden’s Birth Story for fellow professional photographer, Michelle (who also blogs here on motherhood, go look when you are done here).

She was so surprised to hear that I also cover baby dedications, christenings, blessing ceremonies, bris, all kinds of events to welcome a new child into a family and a faith. I only do this for my existing clients as it is to me a continuation of their arrival story. Upon hearing this she hired me and crossed her fingers no babies would come on that day. It worked out perfectly.

Here is the beautiful dedication of Aiden. Surrounded by family, friends, tons of food and all the decor made by hand by mom (hats off!).

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Meet Keira. She’s a real life miracle. Keira’s mom had hoped to hire me for her birth but didn’t make it in time to book me because Keira was born prematurely at 27 weeks weighing just 1 kg. Stop and think about that for a second. Tiny, so very tiny.

She emailed me and asked if there was any way I could come do a NICU session since there would be no other way to have professional photos until she was home, months later. And much bigger. This is a service I offer so I happily agreed. Armed with my NICU Permission Form and strict Code of Conduct, Keira’s mom organized with the incredible staff at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital NICU to get me permission to come.

They requested no showing the details on the many monitors that surrounded Keira. So I have blurred all of those out. Its critical to maintain access for these families, that I abide by all the parameters. Also note that I do not touch or position NICU babies in any way as they are so fragile and I would never want to risk infection. I simply shot around them as is my preferred style.

They also requested I not publish any staff faces. We took photos of all of them with Keira and I only wish I could show you their faces. They are fearless heroes who welcomed me to take photos of this beautiful life they have worked so diligently to save.

I’m happy to report that Keira is now home and thriving with her family. All of these photos are shared, as always, with family permission.

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Once again its an honour to collaborate with Your Pregnancy Magazine to share real life South African birth stories, complete with photos.

Aiden’s mom, Michelle wrote her emotional story of a tough pregnancy with Multiple Sclerosis. To see it in real life, be sure to pick up the current issue of Your Pregnancy magazine on stands now. See more of their birth story images, click here.

And Aiden’s mom blogs her pregnancy and birth story in riveting detail on her own blog here.

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