My distant cousin (don't ask the relation, because none of us can explain it) contacted me back in October, 2012 about taking her maternity and newborn photos. What was special about this was that she was writing from Germany. She and her husband and 2 boys had been stationed there for a few years and they were expecting another little one in late December. Unfortunately, Daddy was not going to be there for most of the pregnancy, or the birth, as he was deployed to Afghanistan with the United States Army. Being a wife of a Marine who has deployed as many times as years that we have been married, I could relate to her circumstance. Well, I could relate in having a deployed husband while pregnant, and I could relate to having a child (not 3, oh my, MAD respect, Jen) to raise by myself while my husband fought for our country. I could not, however, relate to laboring a child without my husband by my side and caring for that child for his first months of life without the help of my partner.
My cousin did come home to MI to deliver her third son in the USA, and she did stay with her parents for a few months until her husbands return was drawing nearer, but none of that could substitute for the comfort and normalcy of being in your own home with your husband, raising a young family together. As soon as we booked her sessions I knew I had to do my best to capture and document this precious little life that daddy wasn't going to get to see right away. This resulted in some of my favorite newborn images to date.
Enjoy.
The scale is an old family heirloom of my clients. LOVE when clients bring personal items to their sessions!
These next 4 images are great. My cousin and her brother's wife (also my cousin's) had their baby boys 3 weeks apart. She had specially ordered these cute little froggy hats and diaper covers and brought them to one of their sessions. How great to have this special memory for these two.
We had a surprise in store for her husband. My cousin had brought along a pair of his Cammie's and name tapes. These are the images that resulted from her preparedness. Precious.
This last one makes me cry. An intimate moment caught during a soldiers homecoming. I didn't take it, I wasn't there (I have permission to use it though). Look at Mommy and Daddy embracing with the newest little one smooshed in between them... Ugh... I can hardly handle it!
I have been through this scenario one too many times, so I can relate and FEEL the relief, joy, and love in this photo. I'm so happy for you and your precious family, Cuz! Enjoy him while he's home.
