What an experience!  Tolkien Gary was the second birth I ever photographed after years of being a family lifestyle photographer.  This birth taught me three things:

1. Home births rule!

2. Births can happen verrrryyy quick!

3. Natural labor does not mean the momma is screaming blood murder.

Jessica texted me at 11pm at night letting me know she was experiencing contractions, so I got all my ducks in a row and went back to bed.  I thought it a joke when her husband called me at 1am and said “If you want to photograph this birth you better get here now.”  Really??  There is no way…

Oh, there is!  I walked in the door to Jessica in such control of her labor that I would have guess we had time until I saw Tolkien crowning!  Camera, lighting, set-up, errr, settings. GOOOO!

The midwife tailed right behind me and we all just jumped into positions.  Tolkien was born just 15 minutes after I arrived.  This, my darlings, is why it is sooo important to keep me in the loop.  Thankfully, Jessica knew exactly how to read her body.