A few months ago I started training my good friend and now associate cinematographer Christina, remember? we showed you Ladori’s Birth Story which we filmed together. Well, this one she captured all on her own, and I am so happy with all the great footage she captured, she made the editing go quite smoothly.

It was very different editing a birth I didn’t attend, but one thing was quite clear from reviewing all the footage… This woman is a ROCK!! She endured long hours of labor to bring her little one into the world, and even after having to be transferred she worked hard to welcome little Liam into their loving arms.

I love watching couples turn in to a family and couldn’t be happier for this sweet little family. Liam was welcomed by his loving parents and surrounded by a wonderful birth team!

Congratulations Lindsay & Greg!!

Filmed by: Christina Bunger
Edited by: Ceci Jane
Music: Analog by Steven Gutheinz. Licensed through The Music Bed.
Attended by the midwives at All About Babies
Doula: Jamie Hinton

In case you haven’t noticed, I have some pretty amazing clients!  I mean, aren’t all the families I blog about just the sweetest?  What can I say?  A perk of my job is I get to meet wonderful people, LOVE IT!

This little family is no exception, Kari is gorgeous both inside and out, it’s no wonder Jason just adores her!!   I LOVED  witnessing the love these two have for each other and their beautiful Rumi Joon!

The birth was assisted by the wonderful ladies at MotherMe Doulas and MotherMe Midwifery.

Enjoy!

Music:”Your First Light My Eventide” by The Echelon Effect.  Licensed through: The Music Bed

Over the last couple of years I have been fortunate to meet some wonderful women.  It’s been an amazing and life changing experience to be a part of a community of women who are passionate about birth and providing a safe environment for mothers to welcome their little ones. Women who have dedicated their lives to bringing change to the way we view birth and who in turn get to witness miracles day after day!

Melody is one of these women.  The very first births I photographed were attended by her as the midwife and I am just in awe of her love and care for women even despite her own struggles with infertility.    What a happy day when I found out she was expecting a little one of her own and what an honor to be asked to capture it all.

Sweet Elliana was born on Easter Sunday, at home, surrounded by so much love!

(read Melody’s account of Elliana’s birth here)

Melody what a joy to witness the birth of your beautiful Elliana, thank you!!

I absolutely love being at surprise births, there is always so much joy in finally getting to find out if they have a boy or a girl.

This birth was probably one of the shortest ones I’ve been at, and we were all glad we made it in plenty of time. The atmosphere at their home was just so calm and serene as their little one made his way out, and it was so fun to see big sister and big brother come and meet sweet Emerson.

Enjoy the sweet arrival of Emerson Isaac.

It is not unusual for me to get inquiries from expectant moms… oh, you know, a month before their EDD.  Heather, on the other hand, contacted me before she was even pregnant, then again as soon as she had conceived.  It seemed like a long time before we actually got to meet little Knox and it was a joy to get to know a little more about Heather while we waited.  I love being in touch with Mom’s through out their pregnancy, it makes that  birth day that much sweeter for me.

I was so excited when Heather finally texted me that labor had started, and again when it was time for me to come meet them at Beautiful Beginnings Birth Center. When I arrived she was out for a walk, then they returned and she continued to labor beautifully.  Brandon did a great job at making her smile as well as being right by her side as things intensified.   The evening progressed and anxious family members begun to arrive.  Heather’s mom was also amazing, she is a massage therapist, so she was right there helping her out.

It was a long evening, but there was a birth center full of joy when little Knox finally made his arrival.

Enjoy Knox’s Birth Story…

Filmed by: Ceci | Edited by: Ceci | Music: Ceiling Hung With Vines by Lowercase Noises. Licensed by The Music Bed. | Birth Team: Beautiful Beginnings Birth Center

Part of the joy I find in documenting such precious times in a family’s life, is the inspiration I walk away with. Jennifer and Sam’s 57 hour labor inspired me in ways I can’t begin to express. While I wasn’t there for all those hours, I did put in my good share of hours with them and LOVED every minute of it. There is something amazing about seeing a couples trust in the birth process, especially first time parents. Jennifer’s trust in her body and Sam’s constant support were a breath of fresh air… even in the wee hours of the morning. They were supported by a wonderful group of midwives, sweet friends, and their loving family.

Ladori, your mommy worked hard to bring you into the world and she did it with so much grace, here is a glimpse at what that day(s) was like.

Filmed by: Christina & Ceci | Edited by: Ceci | Music: You are Gold by The Candlepark Stars. Licensed by The Music Bed. | Birth Team: Edenway Birthing Center

This film means something else for Ceci Jane, some of you know I have been training someone to join me in filming births. Well I am super proud to say, that while I was there to film this birth, my new associate Christina shot 90% of what you see. While I will continue to do all the editing, I am happy to say that there are now 2 of us available to film births and you can expect the same quality of work! This will not only allow us to have a “back up” but it will also allow us to take more births, which will in turn allow us to do it more affordably. More details to come soon, just had to share the basics, if you are interested in having Christina at your birth you can use the contact form to request more info.

Back in May I had the privilege of filming the birth of Mandy and Jesse’s beautiful baby girl McKenzie. It was a happy day as they welcomed this gorgeous little girl into their family.
However, concern about a lethargic baby soon turned to a 911 call and an effort to save baby McKenzie’s life!
After arriving at the hospital, the situation again took a turn for the worse – and every families nightmare of long days in the hospital with a sick child soon became a very harsh reality.
My heart was torn for them, and I wanted to help. So I offered to help by putting together this video for them to tell their story and spread the word, and raise funds. A family should never have to go through a nightmare like this, but when it does happen; it is a beautiful thing to see the support of good hearted people who are willing to help in any way possible, they have felt the support and prayers from family, friends and even complete strangers.

Here is McKenzie Hope’s story and how you can help!

First – watch the video, meet sweet McKenzie, and hear her story.

Second – Help the family spread the word, share this video on FB, twitter and any social network you can.

Three – if you can, please donate to help McKenzie and her family.

Well, it’s August, which means many things… Summer is almost over, my birthday is coming soon, it’s crazy HOT in Texas, and it’s National Breastfeeding Awareness Month!!!

So, I though it would be fitting so share with you a little promo video I created for Mae over at Mae Burke Photography.

She is a super talented photographer that is passionate about showing the world the beauty of breastfeeding.  

But I’ll let her tell you all about it… Introducing the FABULOUS, Mae Burke!!!

April was a busy month, with lots of little sweet babies!

This little one was particularly special.  I met his mom Elizabeth a couple of years ago when I had first started shooting births, she has been a birth photographer for many years.  I attended her workshop and we have developed a friendship/mentorship ever since. She was one of the first to encourage me when I filmed my first birth, and has just been a great friend all along.  When you meet Elizabeth, you just can’t help but love her.

When she told me a few months back she was pregnant I was so excited for her and her sweet family…  They are all as sweet as her!  Then she asked if I would film her birth… Hmmm, let me think. UH, YEAH!!!    Needless to say I was honored to be there with her and to be able to present her with a keepsake of that special day.

It was a long day, and while she has always had difficult labors, this little one gave her a run for her money.  We all were sure he was going to be an April fools baby, until the clock hit 10:30pm and still no baby.  But, like any good April fools joke, he decided to cooperate at the last minute and made it before midnight!

Grab some tissue and enjoy the arrival of baby Owen!

Music: Till the Stars Burn Out by Kerry Muzzey. Licensed through The Music Bed