Newborn sessions such as this one are near and dear to my heart.  I feel blessed to share a small part in the life’s of the families experiencing tragic child loss by capturing memories of a lifetime for them.  They allow me to share their story with you and I am so grateful for their generosity and kind hearts.  Here are some glimpses into the day I photographed this family.  

My second session with On Angels’ Wings began as I entered the St. Louis Children’s Hospital  through a bridge from the parking garage.  A child’s voice announced the floors in the elevators.  It was like entering a different dimension in which the hustle and bustle of the outside world is blocked off.  Here and there the sound of a blaring siren from an ambulance will enter the hallways.  As a photographer for this organization, my assignment was described as follows:   

4pm  

STL Children’s Heart Center 

Room: ####

Patient: XY

Mom: XY

I reached the Heart Center floor and checked in with the nurse.  This baby was born with a congenital heart disease and wasn’t going to survive the complications suffered.  I met the parents and sweet big sister, Madelyn.  The room was filled with machinery and the lights were dimmed.  There were tubes and monitors everywhere the eye could see.  Some were blinking while others were beeping but their purpose was clear.  Baby Mattesyn was held by her mom while dad was brushing Madelyn’s hair.  It was a perfectly normal scene if it wasn’t playing out here in the hospital.  I immediately connected with 5 year old Madelyn, who was holding a stuffed giraffe and told me that this giraffe is a gift for her baby sister.  I could tell that she was feeling a lot of confusion as to what the meaning of all this was.  The nurses helped bring some light into the room by opening the blinds and turning on some lights.  I was ready to begin my session.  This little angel, born and taken way too soon, left a mark on everyone who entered her room.  

May you rest in peace little girl! 

It was just a few weeks ago when I was given the opportunity to join an organization called “On Angels Wings”.  This organization provides free professional photographs and support for families whose child has a terminal risk diagnosis from maternity to 18 years of age.  They may be facing tragic diagnoses such as “cancer, genetic disorders, heart conditions, extended NICU stays and risk of loss at birth.”  

My first session presented itself on October 6th.  I got a message from Michelle, the founder and president of the organization, about a family in need of a session.  I packed my camera gear and headed to the hospital.  On the way there, all kinds of thoughts ran through my head.  As a mom of 3 children, I can only imagine the torture and pain this family was experiencing at this time.  I got to the hospital within 20 minutes and headed to the nurses station where I asked for the room number I was provided.  I introduced myself to the nurse assigned to the room and I asked her for a brief history of the events that occurred that led this family to this point in time.  She then walked me into the room and I met Katee and Natalie.  Two mama birds watching over their precious little baby boy born on October 4th.  Unfortunately, he experienced an extremely difficult birth that his fragile body couldn’t handle.  

Here are some images from this session I would like to share with you.  I have immense love and gratitude to Katee and Natalie for allowing me to be part of one of the most soul crushing moment in any parents’ life.  I think about them often and know that images are so much more than a click of a shutter.  Sometimes they are the only thing that we can hold onto while the person in the photograph is long gone.  

You can find more information about this organization at www.oawphoto.org

The 17-Mile Drive is a scenic drive through Pebble Beach on the Monterey Peninsula and a must see.  These images cannot even come close to capturing the breathtaking views here.  They are the most perfect backdrop for any photographer.  As you can tell from the images, the sun was setting and it made the scenery even more magical.  We stopped at different points of interest along way.  My favorite stop was Moss Beach.  I loved all the perfect little cobblestone towers on the beach.  Bird Rock was most definitely the smelliest due to the birds and sea lions who call it their home.  Another one of my favorite stops was the Lone Cypress.  This tree is more than 250 years old.  We were also just in time to enjoy the bagpiper who signals the close of the golf course every evening at the Inn at Spanish Bay.  Spanish Bay got it’s name in honor of explorer Don Gaspar de Portola, who was exploring the coastline in 1769 and decided to camp here.  Here is a link to more information about the 17-Mile Drive. 

www.pebblebeach.com/17-mile-drive