So for the longest time I’ve always wanted to witness a live birth. Earlier this year I got the chance to do just that and I was lucky enough to photograph the events of the evening!!! This is a G-rated post so you won’t see Kamakolu emerge into this world, but I will show you some images right before and right after he entered our world. Kamakolu belongs to my dear friend, Kanani whom I’ve known for about 18 years now. Kamakolu is her third son and she wanted to document his birth. She had never documented the birth of her first two sons so this was a new experience for both of us.
It all happened on a Friday evening…I was at dinner with some friends when I got the phone call—Kanani was in labor!!! I rushed home from dinner and gathered my equipment. I hurried over to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children and mentally prepared myself for my first LIVE BIRTH!!! I was hoping that I was going to be “okay” during the birth, after all it was the first time I was witnessing one and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to “handle” the whole event. I was 90% sure I could since I had seen many live births on television/movies, but some friends had warned me that it was “different” in person.
When I got to the hospital Kanani was in good shape. She was laboring, but handling the pain well. She had an epidural for the birth of her first son and didn’t care for the affects that it had on her and her son. So for the birth of her second son, she refused the epidural and gave birth naturally with no medication!!! WHEW!!! Talk about a strong woman!!! So of course for the birth of her third son there was going to be no epidural!!!
About an hour or so after I arrived it was show time!!! It was honestly a very exciting and emotional event to witness. The birth of a child is filled with joy and tears of happiness. It is a miracle of nature and so intriguing to witness. I LOVED every moment of watching Kamakolu emerge into this world. I LOVED watching my friend and her family be overwhelmed with love and joy. I LOVED watching her two older boys stand proudly because they now had a new baby brother. I LOVED watching her husband be so loving and attentive to his wife and children. The whole event was a whirlwind of people, action and emotions!!!
Thank you Kanani, Ryan, Mana and Kawika from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of this special occasion!!! You guys are absolutely wonderful people and I am so fortunate to have friends like you who allowed me to be a part of such a memorable and cherished event!!! Love you guys!!!
Proud brothers and a proud daddy anxiously awaiting the birth of Kamakolu…
Oh my gosh! makes me wanna have another baby. . . . . NOT! Honestly. . . . I can see the love shared by everyone. The pictures of Kamakolu minutes after entering the world are moving. I got teary just looking at the pictures. His mama holding him is priceless as well. I am sure they were happy. But it takes one very talented photographer to make those pictures evoke emotion. You are the best. Thank you for sharing. Babies are the best little people. Makes you realize what a miracle life is. . . just think how one little swimmer meets up with a little egg to produce. . . . a baby! Just amazing. Thank you Mindy! Love you.
You are so brave mindy! I don’t know if i could handle a birth session!!! Great job!! hope to see more of these soon!