As a photographer, scheduling is everything, especially for expectant mothers. Kate and Wes, a long time client of mine, reached out to schedule their last Maternity session. I was ecstatic, excited, and nervous, as we are currently all still struggling through the Pandemic with social distancing, hospitals only allowing the father in the delivery room, and mask wearing mandates.
You are probably wondering why I was nervous. Well, I already new when Kate announced her pregnancy, she would want not only that documented, but she would want her birth story as well. She had an amazing birth story with her one and only daughter KJ when she was born, so I knew she wanted one with this new baby.
See I am not sure exactly when Kate reached out to a Midwife, but she did, so she could have me there documenting the announcement of her last born child, Maverick. Not only did she want me there, but she had always wanted to experience a home birth, giving her the opportunity to have one of her children the way she anticipated child birth to be.
When Kate and her family met with myself for their Maternity Session, it was July 30th. Now you are probably wondering what that meant for me, as I also worked fulltime throughout the summer as a Certified Nursing Assistant. My hours for August were already set in stone.
Well after their session, August 10th to be exact, Kate contacted me while I was on one of my breaks, reaching out to inform me that she thinks Maverick will make his grand entrance soon. That was 10 pm at night. I clocked out at 11 pm, drove home and showered, being on stand by. Sure enough at 2:07am, just a few hours since Kate's last message, her water had broke. Her midwife had stated for Kate to just wait until her contractions started. Well, sure enough, 20 Minutes later, Kate called again, saying her contractions were definitely stronger, and well....closer together. I grabbed my keys and camera and bolted out the door. My drive was a little intense, as I lived over an hour away. I punched in the address to the Midwifery center in Buffalo, NY. When I arrived, it was 3:50 am. I was standing on the block waiting for someone to open the door for me. Kate's Mother in law welcomed me at the door, and told me I had made it just in time, as Kate was ready to push. I reached the room where Kate and Wes were, 2 flights of stair in between the foyer and the room they were in. I allowed the door to swing open to see Kate, sitting in an inflatable tub filled with water, only to be in active labor at that point. Within minutes, Kate pushed, and Maverick made his grand Entrance at 4:04 am on August 11th, 2021.
Now fast forward to 6 am, after capturing their moments as a family together, I decided it was time for me to pack and leave and let them have their privacy. I reached the bottom of the foyer and seen that it was lightly raining. I climbed in my vehicle. Mind you, as I was driving, I had realized I had been up for a very long time, working the night before at the nursing home, and then capturing the most spectacular thing in life. As I reached the outskirts of Buffalo, it started to pour. Halfway home, My cars battery light indicator light had just lit, leaving me wondering if I was even going to make it home. I pulled in my driveway at 7:30 am safely, only realizing, something was wrong with my car. But I thanked God that I was able to be where I was 3 hours prior and that the complications of my vehicle held out until I reached my home. Turns out, it was my alternator. So happy I wasn't stranded on the side of the road somewhere.
Below, you will find images from Singleton's Maternity, Birthing, and Newborn/Family Session. All within a matter of days were each of these moments captured. July 30th, August 11th, and August 19th.
Maverick Ford Singleton born August 11th at 4:04 am, at The Coit House, Buffalo NY, weighing 9 lbs, 14.5 oz, and measuring 22 inches long. Welcome to the World. You are so loved!
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