Dakota Newborn Session | Northern VA Photographer

‘We have a secret in our culture, it’s not that birth is painful, it’s that women are strong. ‘ – Laura Stavoe Harm
As you all know, I love birth sessions. I love documenting that raw, beautiful strength in women, and of families welcoming their new little ones. I love being present and witnessing a little soul entering this world and I’m forever grateful for everyone who entrusts me to do so. When Crystal reached out asking me to document her birth, I couldn’t of been more thrilled. When she started sharing her story with me, I was just in awe. This beautiful mama found out at 37.5 weeks that she was going to be welcoming twins earthside to join her, her spouse Zachary and their toddler Avily. She had, had a home birth planned and this beautiful mama and her spouse decided to move forward with a home birth, trusting that this is what was right for their family. To say that this was a beautiful birth is an understatement. This mama showed a strength that was just out of this world, she was surrounded by love the entire time and Zach & Avily. She continued to show love and grace towards Avily and continued nursing her throughout the birth. Zach was so attentive to not just Crystal, but Avily and his new littles ones too. Crystal made several comments throughout laboring how in love she was with birth and her babies. Again, awe struck. Crystal & Zachary thank you so much for asking me to document this beautiful time in your lives. You are amazing Crystal and I am so forever grateful to call you a friend. <3. Here’s just a few of my favorites from their birth story.
{I’m currently booking sessions for 2018, feel free to contact me for more information!}
On September 21, 2017 at 4:10 A.M. sweet Zaynab made her entrance Earthside, at 32 weeks gestational age. She weighed 4 lbs. 9 oz. and was 17 inches long. Before I go any further let me just say this sweet soul has absolutely completed our family. She has brought peace and calmness and has been an absolute light.
Our birth story this go around was beautiful, as they all are in their own unique and different ways. I won’t get into too many details right now, but I will tell you it was beautiful despite being in labor for 24 hours and a long surgery. I was scheduled for a c section just a couple weeks later, but went into labor again and started progressing shortly after hitting the 24 hour mark. I couldn’t of imagined a different entrance for her though, the doctors were amazing, kind and loving and I was blessed enough to have my husband with me and my mama with me for right up until we delivered. The moment I heard Zaynab cry I knew right away my soul was complete. I am forever grateful for the nursers, doctors, my husband, my mama, my family, my children and God. Zaynab you are perfect in all ways and you are so very loved. After two and half weeks in the NICU you are home with all of us and we are all thrilled. I can’t wait to share our birth story in depth at some point, but for now I want to introduce her and share her beauty and the love we all have for her. <3.
If you have emailed me or reached out, please be patient while I return all calls and emails soon! I’m currently booking sessions for the new year and I am so looking forward to enjoying this time at home and the new year when I start doing sessions again!