Olivia's birth {throwback!}

I've always admired birth photography. Weddings, engagements, family photographs are all wonderful and the chance to be a part of people's lives in those ways have been incredibly rewarding. But, at least in my mind, birth photography is somewhat different--it's really intimate. So of course {with their blessing} I had to jump at the opportunity to photograph my niece being born. I didn't post my photos at the time for a lot of different reasons; to be honest the photographs are not my best work. But looking back on them I can't help my smile. My sister's strength and resolve even during the day-and-a-half of labor {ahhhhh!} was astounding as was my brother-in-law's unwavering support and encouraging words throughout the entire process. Towards the end when Olivia was actually born I was jumping around and shaking so much that the photographs came out quite blurry. Forgive me! But I hope that the anticipation and excitement of that day (and a half) as well as the pain and suffering that my sister endured while laboring are palpable through the photos. I'm so proud of my sister and I don't think there are enough words in the world to describe how thankful I am. Looking back on these I am truly, truly in awe of Olivia's growth and development and I cannot believe that this newborn is now a boisterous tot!