Some stories unfold slowly. Others arrive with detours and unexpected pivots—but all of them deserve to be remembered.
Karien’s birth story was one I had the honour of capturing from the very beginning—from the early days of her growing bump through to the powerful, emotional moment she met her baby boy. It’s this full-circle journey that reminds me just how important it is to document not only the moment a baby arrives—but the path it took to get there.
As a photographer herself, Karien understood the value of capturing the real. The raw. The in-between.
“Birth is probably the only time where you can’t act a certain way—what’s inside of you will come out. I wanted that to be captured.”
In her second trimester, she was feeling strong. Prepared. Focused. She was active, stretching, bouncing on her fit ball, and visualising the natural water birth she hoped for. Her preparation was intentional and thoughtful—even meal-prepping for postpartum so her and Josh could settle into their new rhythm with less pressure.
Then labour began...
“My waters broke on my baby’s due date—punctual like his mum!”
What followed was a slow build into something unexpected. Contractions that came early… but with no rest in between. Back pain that wouldn’t let up. And then the news: only 2.5cm dilated.
“It crushed me. I questioned my entire birth plan.”
Twelve more hours of labouring with a posterior baby followed. Then pivot number two—because her waters had been broken for over 24 hours, water birth was no longer an option at her hospital. . Her plan changed again.
But through it all—she kept going. And he kept standing with her.
“Josh’s support surprised me in the best way. He was strong when I couldn’t be. At no point did he let me believe I couldn’t do it.”
When their baby finally arrived—after seeing two sunrises—it was with a cry of triumph, exhaustion, and awe.
“Words that crossed my mind were: ‘I did it!’ and ‘That was a lot harder than running a marathon!’”
And oh, the photos.
The moment Karien held her baby boy on her chest for the first time. The light in Josh’s eyes. The hands held, the tears shed, the relief, the pride.
“Looking at those photos now, I realised how much we actually went through. It makes me proud. Proud of what my body did. Proud of us.”
This is why I believe in capturing the whole journey.
Because birth isn’t just a moment. It’s a story. A build-up. A transformation.
Karien’s journey wasn’t what she planned. But it was powerful. Real. Honest. And full of the kind of moments that deserve to be remembered forever.
“Your encouragement during labour was something I didn’t expect, but now I can’t imagine going without.”
Words like this remind me of why I do what I do.
To Karien and Josh—thank you. For your trust. For letting me into this precious season of your lives. For letting me tell your story from bump… to birth… to baby. For sharing YOUR First Hello!
