The arrival of Sophia Rae

I've written several blogs about Miss Sophia, the first was when we found out she was gonna be a girl. The next was for her big beautiful baby shower. Well now she is here! Item number 2 on my photography bucket list was to photograph the birth of a baby. The last time I had the chance I didn't make it to the end cause my husband was injured. When my cousin Jaci asked me to be there to photograph Sophia's birth I jumped at this second chance!

It all started Tuesday night, Jaci was to be induced starting at 7 pm. I got to the hospital around 8. Well it just wasn't happening that night, cause 10 other babies were born! So Jaci's induction didn't get started til about 6 am. At that point I had been awake since 7 am Tuesday morning. But I didn't wanna sleep, I couldn't miss anything! Jaci did such a great job laboring all day, things just weren't happening the way the doctor wanted it to, so we did have a moment when they thought they were gonna have to do a c-section. But right as they were about to take her back for that, everything was OK again, and Sophia was ready to come out!

I was one of the three people Jaci wanted in the room for the birth, so I found a corner and stayed put until Sophie was here and I could start taking pictures! The moment that Jaci gave her final push and then saw Sophia, was the most beautiful moment I have ever witnessed in my whole life. I actually have a video of that moment I took for Jaci. I've watched it 5 times already and cry every time. 

We then went out to the waiting room for a little while so Jaci and Caleb could have some family time. I got to wait with 7 very anxious grandparents! About an hour later Jaci and Caleb were ready for visitors. When I walked back in that room you could already see that mom glow on Jaci's face. I continued to take photos while everyone had their turn at meeting and holding Sophie. 

I am so happy Jaci and Caleb allowed me to be there for every moment. I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world, and I'd do it all over again, even with the 40+ hours straight of no sleep!

Here she is, Miss Sophia Rae, born April 8th, at 5:07 pm, 6lbs 11oz. and 20 inches long. As beautiful as her mama! 

I felt like a little photo slideshow would be the best way to tell this story and show off the photos. So here you go, I hope you enjoy! 

This free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Now I can officially check this one off my bucket list! 

To see more of my work, or book a session, you can check out my facebook page HERE

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The arrival of Wesley Blake!

     I have this photography bucket list I put together months ago, you can see it HERE. One of the items on that list is to photograph the birth of a baby. Not the actual exit, but the before and after. Lucky for me, my long time friend Abby was pregnant and said I was welcome to photograph her labor and delivery! 

I got the text about 1:30am on February 23rd, she was in labor, but she wanted me to wait til she got there and got checked to see if it was really go time. Around 4:00 I got a text from her that she had gotten her epidural. I didn't wait for the next text, I grabbed my camera bag and hopped in the car and headed for the hospital! 

When I arrived Abby's room was already filled with her family, they haven't missed a birth yet I heard! There supporting her were her husband, mom, dad, husband's mom and dad, her 3 sisters, and niece and me!

I found a spot in the corner and got to work. 

Around noon there was still no baby, so Abby was resting the best she could for a little bit. That's when the story derails a little. A nurse came over the intercom and asked if there was an Angel Kincaid in the room (me), and that she had a phone call from my husband at the front desk. I ran up there and got on the phone, and on the other end was my husband, he was in an ambulance on his way to the hospital because a tire had blown up in his face while working on it. That's all I needed to hear. I love Abby, and I love taking photos, but not more than my husband. So I ran back to her room, frantically packed my camera up while trying to explain what was going on to her family. Then I ran out of her room, telling her how sorry I was that I was gonna miss it! 

Long story short, Abby delivered a beautiful baby boy about an hour after I left. Wesley Blake Hovis 

was 7lb1oz and 21 1/2 inches long. 

And after 11 stitches, lots of bumps, bruises and burns, one week of strict bed rest and one week of light work duty. My husband is ok. He is gonna have some permanent cool looking scars. But he's alive, thank god. 

As for the photos, I got to photograph the labor part, I had actually stopped taking photos about 30 min before I left cause the hospital didn't allow photos during the actual delivery. I didn't feel like the story would be worth sharing with just the first part. So I got permission from her sisters and niece to use the photos they took after Wesley arrived and I put together this slideshow. It's almost 10 min long, but I didn't want to leave anything out! 

It took almost 2 weeks before I had some free time to actually go over and meet Wesley for the first time. I kept saying how I couldn't believe how close I was to meeting him in the hospital and then had to wait 2 weeks to actually see him in person. He was worth the wait, let me tell you. So tiny and sweet, and smelled just heavenly. I went over to Abby and Daniel's house to meet him, and visit with everyone. But I did bring my camera along and snap a few photos! I couldn't resist! You'll see those photos at the end of the slide show.

Enjoy!

    

This free photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

To see more of my work, or booking, you can visit my facebook page HERE

As always you can like, comment, and subscribe to follow this blog! 

Photography Bucket List

Back in July I randomly decided to make up a photography bucket list. A list of events I would love to be the one to capture. I am guessing it was partially good, or good enough to steal at least. I found it on Facebook with another photographer claiming it as their own, and it was word for word mine. 

She removed it a short time later :)

I have been lucky enough in the months since to be able to cross a few events off that list! I never thought I would get the chance to, and each one I got to cross off was incredibly special to me. I will never forget those days. 

#7, is only partly crossed off. I got to assist one of my favorite photographers, at a wedding she was photographing. I have been inspired by her for years. It was a beautiful wedding at Trump National, on Lake Norman. I never in my life have been to a wedding that nice. I was lucky enough to take photos at the photo booth that night.Lots of fun props and happy people that night. I didn't get to take photos of my friend in action, but I got to watch. She and her husband taught me so much that night, I will never forget!

#8 a pregnant gal...a few blog posts ago you will see that I got to take some maternity shots of my friend Abby. She is the first person that gave me a chance in this journey of becoming a photographer. And has been incredibly generous in giving me her time to practice this thing I love. 

#9 a newborn baby...I believe she was only a couple weeks old when I did this. She was precious, so tiny and sweet! I will hopefully get to do this one many more times, I love little babies! 

In the next few months I will get to cross another one off my list , I may even be able to do it twice since someone asked me recently if I would be there for their day too! And I couldn't be more excited about it! #2 the birth of a baby! I have been on Pinterest almost every day looking for inspiration for the big day! I don't even care if the call comes in the middle of the night! I am gonna be there with my camera on ready to go!

I would love, love, love to be able to cross all of these events off my list. I know it's not gonna happen over night. But I'll wait. :)

*Like my page on facebook and see if I get to cross anything else off my list in the future!*

Angel Kincaid Photography