I am smitten with all of you! 

The Munchback family participated in my Christmas tree lot mini sessions and their baby girl was the highlight of my day. Look at that sweet face! She adored her foster parents and I loved that they chose me to photograph their family for Christmas cards this year. 

*Disclaimer to other photographers, please be respectful and call ahead to ask permission if you wish to photograph at a local business and always be mindful of customers while shooting! We want to be invited back and show our thankfulness to our friends who allow us to use their beautiful property! 

Welcome to the world little Henry! 

From what I could see, this little guy has a whole lot of family that just adore him already.

I'm so glad to provide them with photos of this happy time, I just love Fresh 48 sessions! 

Congratulations, guys! 

"I've never felt closer to God than I do when a child is about to enter this world.

It's almost as though you teeter between here and the other side of the veil."

-Courtney Howden

When the call came in that it was baby time for the Howden family and that Courtney was in labor, I knew that I didn't have long to get to the hospital. I was in bed and had just fallen asleep after photographing a cesarean birth, when I heard that contractions were 'pretty unbearable' and that they were heading in to have their baby soon. When Courtney and I had our initial meeting and were getting to know one another she had said that she only labored for 3 hours with her first son. Not wanting to risk it, I jumped out of bed, brushed off the fact that I had only gotten just 1 hour of sleep, grabbed a banana and ran out the door. I arrived first and snuck in a few shots of the outside of the hospital before going inside to wait for the Howden Family. Grandma and Ryder, their son, arrived to play in the waiting room while mom went back to labor with dad in their l&d room.

Soon after arriving in her room, Courtney told her nurse that she was feeling pressure and asked if she would check her cervix. After a quick exam, her nurse announced that she was 9cm and her doctor reassured her that that could change very quickly when Courtney seemed discouraged that it wasn't yet time to push. Courtney had one more very intense contraction and exclaimed that she felt more pressure and sure enough, one strong surge was enough for Courtney to be complete and ready to push!

Not long after, mom and dad both learned together that their beautiful new baby was a BOY. Grandma and big brother joined them in welcoming little Ezra to the family and big brother was so sweet and said hello by playing peek-a-boo and snuggling up with mom and baby on the bed. Ezra had an intense and fast delivery, but it sure was wonderful to witness. Thank you for having me, Howden Family and congratulations!

"I'm so happy I had Hillarie Mae Photography come document my labor with Ezra. The pictures are so raw and real. I chose to have him without any drugs, like I did with Ryder. This time seemed so much harder for me- or maybe I just forgot. I struggled for a bit after his birth...I was cross with myself for not "handling" it as well as I felt I could have and not being as prepared for it. But then I look at these pictures and realize I did something really hard. Something that really hurt. I'm not sure there's a pain much greater (Or at least I hope never to experience anything greater). Our bodies are amazing. And I'm actually amazing. I'm so grateful for this strong and healthy body of mine. I've never felt closer to God than I do when a child is about to enter this world. It's almost as though you teeter between here and the other side of the veil. During both of my labors I remember asking out loud for help from my Heavenly Father. It was one of the hardestand best days of my life. And a day I'll remember with much more clarity thanks to these pictures."
-Courtney Howden

Any place of birth can be spiritual and beautiful if there is love.

Addalynn Hope arrived earth side on December 7th on a sunny afternoon in Chandler, Arizona. Her mama had a special and peaceful birth, because of the amazing amount of love and support her birth team gave her as she labored and bore her baby. Little Addalynn was born en caul, which means her amniotic sac didn't break until after she had been delivered. It is rare for a baby to be born en caul and some see it as a sign of good luck. 

Not only is baby girl lucky to be born en caul, but she has two sweet siblings that were so excited for her arrival that they were asking to hold her before she was even fully delivered. Big brother cried as baby was laid on mom's chest and told everyone in the room that this was the best day of his life. Mom and dad announced that they had a precious baby girl and the room erupted into excitement, especially from big sister who was very much hoping for someone to play dolls with. Big sister asked excitedly if today was Christmas, because that was the only thing thrilling enough to compare her little sister's birthday to.

The rest of the evening was spent tending to mom and baby, making sure each were healthy and comfortable. Doula Lakisa and Aunt Heather prepared a meal for the family of fruit and sandwiches. Their fantastic midwife, Crystal Pena with Injoyable Birth gave baby a thorough exam and was so supportive and comforting to both mom and baby. It is so fantastic to be able to be cared for at home in the comfort of your own bed with people who love and support your wishes.

  Big sister, London, hardly left her mother's side as she labored. She did such a good job rubbing mom's back, saying soothing words like, "You're beautiful" and "love you". Big brother, Mason, was so caring and often gave his mom sips of water and took turns fanning her when needed. Between her husband, Ken, and her doula Lakisa Muhammed, this mama was supported every step of the way. With every contraction, she was held, steadied, soothed and loved. Once Mom felt like it was time, she labored in the water until it was time to push. Essential oils were diffused and low, respectful voices were used. Dad reached down and caught the baby while their midwife, Crystal supported them and made sure baby was safe and happy. Relief and joy as she realizes that baby is finally here. Baby's gender was left a surprise until mom and dad announced that baby is a GIRL.

Midwife services with Crystal Pena http://injoyablebirth.com/

Doula services with Lakisa Muhammed http://amothersworthbirthservices.com/

Congratulations!

-Tom Petty

I have had clients tell me that they always wondered how some of their friends had such great and emotional photos of their newborn and family members in the hospital room, meeting baby for the first time.

A Fresh 48 session is done within the first two days of a newborn's life and is a great way to get that hospital/home birth vibe without having the actual delivery photographed. It is a great option for those who want photographs of siblings and other family members meeting and holding baby for the first time in an intimate birth setting.

​Another reason why Fresh 48 sessions are getting so popular, is because it is sometimes impossible for a photographer to get access to a birth. Whether it be a hospital policy on C-sections or a very speedy delivery.

The Wesolowski family knew they wanted this special time documented, but because of the hospital policy which only allows one person into the operating room, they decided that a Fresh 48 session would be the best option for them. It was a relaxed and sweet hour I got to spend with them and I am so happy that they have these images to look back on and treasure. Thanks for having me, Wesolowski Family!

I love to see babies grow!

I am so excited that they contacted me to photograph their new baby girl, Addison and big brother Ethan who is so sweet with her!
 

If you didn't see Meadow's birth story, take a minute to go take a peek, it is beautiful! Just 5 days after she was born, I set up in Meadow's home and photographed her in the oodles of wraps and headbands that I brought with me. Big sister, Willow had been dreaming of a baby sister and it was so sweet to see her love on Meadow.
 

Cousin Ava who was visiting from out of town decided to join in on the fun. These two did not stop goggling the whole time I was with them.
 

Cousins are the best!
 

Because baby girl was measuring big, they decided to book an induction date and when January 31st came, everything progressed smoothly at the hospital. I arrived when Brooke was 6cm dilated and the feeling in the room was relaxed and happy (yay for epidurals!) Frank and Brooke were making each other laugh and as much as I tried to be a fly on the wall and be as inconspicuous as I am with my clients, it's difficult with family members and they had me laughing and chatting up until she was almost ready to push. The most fun I've had waiting for a baby to date!
 

When it was time to push, baby girl came down so quickly that she had a bit of bruising on her face and because she was so big, she suffered some nerve damage in her shoulder which caused her to go into shock. The nurse practitioner was called in immediately and when Meadow was laid on mom's chest she was limp and unresponsive, but breathing. She was quickly scooped up by a nurse and the NP gave her a thorough check up to make sure all was well. Baby Meadow Marie was weighed, foot printed, measured all while being admired by her dad, Frank. I knew Brooke was worried and a little sad that her baby was out of her arms. She had mentioned while she was in labor that she was really excited about doing skin to skin right after Meadow was delivered. For the first time at a birth, I was torn between doing my job, and comforting my client. I had two roles that were pulling at me in two different directions, Sister and Photographer. However, I knew that she couldn't see her baby and what was going on, so I had to be her eyes and focus on the job that they had asked me to do.
 

It wasn't long before Meadow was returned to her Mama and they were able to bond with skin to skin. By far the best moment of the night in my opinion was Mom and Dad getting their first moment together to soak in their brand new, tiny piece of heaven. I couldn't edit the images without getting emotional. Even with the minor scare, it was such a beautiful birth and the feeling in the room was indescribably sweet. Meadow is 9lbs 15oz of perfection and her shoulder is expected to heal completely. Welcome to the family Meadow and thank you for having me Gamble/Laver family! 
 

Thanks for the laughs Kaylee!
 

Arizona is my home. I love it here and just as I was telling this family about the dust storms we get and how they're nothing to worry about, the wind picks up out of no where, as if right on cue and within just a few minutes had us hurrying back to our cars. The last image was just before we decided to leave, before it was super windy and by the time we got to the parking lot the sand was stinging our faces and we could hardly talk to one another! I could see the dust rising like a cloud over the horizon on my drive home, crazy weather! Welcome to Arizona, Hosken Family! Glad you're here. Hope you grow to love the desert just as much as I do, haboobs and all : )  
 

"Infertility has by far been the most challenging trial for me.. For several years my greatest desire, and dream was to have a baby. Many nights I'd lie in bed, sobbing, begging, and pleading to The Lord for this one specific thing. Here I was grieving for so long. Grieving for something I had never had, yet was yearning for. I knew that there was someone else missing from our family. I couldn't understand how something that should be so simple, was something that was so impossible for me. Worst of all.. it devalued my femininity, and I felt like a failure for not being able to produce the very thing my body was made to do as a woman. Very few women around me could relate, and it made it very difficult to express my excruciating pain and heartbreak to them. Thousands of dollars were spent on this unexplainable infertility, just for the giant let down of "I'm sorry, it didn't work."
 

I'm a firm believer in the power of prayer, and prayed earnestly for answers. Finally, I got my answer. It wasn't what I wanted to hear, but it was so clear. I had to let it go. I had to stop obsessing over the "why's" and to just focus on making myself healthier. I trusted in Him, and did just that.
A couple years later, with no Infertility treatments, no help- I became pregnant. Just like that, my body worked on its own, and I was blessed with the incredible miracle of life growing inside of me. I was super blessed with a healthy pregnancy, and even more blessed with the most perfectly healthy baby boy! Things in life aren't going to always go how WE plan them. But, if we have faith in HIS timing.... It will all turn out OK." -Heather Koester
 

As a birth photographer and mother of two, I know first hand that not all births go exactly as planned. They never do. Trust me. No matter how detailed our birth plan is and no matter how many birthing classes and books we read during our pregnancy, they can never fully prepare us for our little one's arrival. The Koester family did not anticipate a C-section birth for their little boy, but given their past with infertility, they knew what was most important and took the change in plan with grace. Although I wasn't permitted to photograph the actual birth, I was able to be with mom and dad as they cuddled and held their baby and introduced him to family members for the first time. The feeling in the room was so sweet and heavenly and you could just feel how much love these parents had for their new baby. He truly was worth the wait! 
 

Every birth story is beautiful as long as mom and baby are happy and doing well and this was one of my favorite births to date. Congratulations Koester Family and thank you for inviting me to be there for you and document your little guy's arrival!
 

Hugs,
 

Hillarie