There are several traits required of every good photographer. 

• Readiness: The best photographers and storytellers are always equipped, bringing their camera (bag) to each event, outing, and casual gathering. 
• Mindfulness: They are ever watchful and observant of their surroundings. 
• Patience: They are capable of waiting for that perfect moment, deciding when to lift the lens, knowing that in pointing the camera, they risk destroying the genuine quality of the moment. 
• Creativity: Seeing what others may not, they capture what some don’t realize they saw. 

Birth Photography, on an entirely different level, requires a different kind of readiness and patience. It’s a sweet-and-sour of time. There is the perfect moment to arrive at the hospital and the quiet stillness where you wait for action. The perfect moment to capture the reaction of family and friends and stand back as they experience the joy of their first look. 

This story was one for the books. When we capture birth stories, we tell mamas to let us know when they are at a 5 or 6 and we will head to the hospital. They generally want us there for final pushes and a few sweet moments, but not in the way. They want us ready but mindfully patient.

Around 10:30 AM, Mama April texted me to let me know she was having a few contractions, but she was headed to her regularly scheduled 39-week appointment and would be in touch. Her husband Andy was at work and it was business as usual. She had mentioned this appointment a few days ago when we talked. She said, “Just feeling BIG and done! I was really hoping that working VBS last week would do me in...nope - still pregnant! I plan to have the doctor check me to see if we’ve progressed any.” 

Turns out she progressed A LOT. Mama arrived at her appointment at 10:55 and by 11:01 AM she texted me to tell that she was a 6 and that she was being sent to the hospital!

She arrived at the hospital at 11:06 and the baby was born at 11:23! The doctor walked in for the one and only push and the baby was placed on Mama’s chest just as Daddy ran in the room at 11:28!

I arrived minutes shortly after Daddy and got the take the first sweet pictures of this precious family. They loved, hugged, and kissed the baby and each other. They FaceTimed with now big sister, Violet. Mama was up and about in a matter of minutes. 

Sometimes no amount of readiness, mindfulness, or creativity can solve every photographic challenge. This sweet boy decided he was ready and made his way into the world. Some babies just tell you how it's going to go, and Andrew Howard Davies was no different. Welcome to the world sweet boy!