Renee Diaz Photography
Maternity ~ Birth ~ Newborn ~ Beyond
Those who have followed my page for a while will know that photographing a birth was something I have always wanted to do. Unfortunately living in Victoria with out family meant that the practicalities of dropping everything when a expectant mum was in labour was not possible. I am very lucky this year to be back in the Adelaide Hills and have wonderful friends and family who wont mind (wont mind and have no choice – same thing!) 3 am calls to baby sit my two kids!
There are so many reasons why I wanted to and still want to photograph births. Its something completely different to photographing a maternity or newborn session. I have no control of what sort of lighting there would be- if any- (this is why I own and know how to use my camera which is made for low light situations as I chose not to use a flash and disturb a labouring mum) I don’t get to pose anyone, and its not in my warm studio at 9.30 on a Monday ! So different and so awesome.
Late August I meet up with Amanda. We had a chat about what sort of birth she was hoping for, how her first birth went, how she was not to yell at me during labour and make me cry, how I might need a cup of tea made for me by her (labour or not!) if bubs was coming in the early hours!! Jokes aside it was a quick little meeting so when everything was happening I wasn’t meeting her for the first time at the hospital!
During the next couple of weeks I got weekly updates of how everything was going- it was exciting!!
Finally on the Friday 11th Sept I got the message saying Amanda’s waters had broke and it was all about to start! After a lot of messages -and hours!- back and forth I headed in to the hospital Saturday night at about 9pm.
The next couple of hours were AMAZING! I feel so privileged to be able to do what I do. To be a fly on the wall. To be a part of peoples intimate moments , creating lasting memories for them. I got to have a few cuddles with little Zoe while she was only minutes old, and I’m not bragging -but I did guess her exact weight- it could be a hidden skill I have 🙂
I headed home at about 2 am. Not sure I slept as I was wide awake in awe. Amanda was amazing. Michael kept us all amused with his dad jokes. Sadly I laughed at few :p
The next morning I headed back in for a mini session- We wanted to get a few of big sister Sophia meeting her new baby sister. Such a perfect little family!
Only a handful of the photos I took are in the little video below.
Thanks so much for choosing me to be your birth photographer Amanda , its something I will never forget !
Renee x
Sophie’s rainbow nails are what make this image even more perfect I think!
Big brother Sam will all watch over his younger sisters I think!
love me some Black and white!
Thanks so much for choosing me to take your photos Bec! It was great having the kids in the studio
Claira was born on Australia day. Not long after this little princess and her family were in the studio for her Newborn session.
Six months later and I was so happy Rhiannon (Claria’s Mum) booked her in for a sitter session so we could capture how much she has grown!
I mean how perfect is she!
We even managed to get a few sibling images!
I have these guys back in front of my camera in a few weeks for an extended family session and I can not wait 🙂 I love capturing the first year of little ones! They grow so fast!
I can not wait to finish your gallery and show you all the photos we captured from the day Aimee x But until then, please enjoy your video !
