Why I Love Photographing Births

Before I had my daughter Charlotte, and long before I even thought about having children, I always loved watching baby shows.  My favorite was "A Baby Story" on TLC.  I have always loved babies, and I have always loved the love that mothers have for their babies.  I've said it a thousand times before, but it is something magical. 

When I became pregnant, being that we were not allowed to record video, I definitely wanted my labor and Charlotte's birth to be photographed.  Thankfully I had my sister, sister in law, mother, and of course my husband in the room with me, and my sister and sister in law took turns documenting the day.  They captured everything, and it was an amazing day. Through the pain, the laughing, the pushing, and the crying, my little girl was finally here, and it was captured, and we could always look back on it.

I think it is so important that every mother have the birth of their child/children documented.  Those moments are so very special, and even though it feels like a long time, it can go by in the blink of an eye. There are so many things that I don't remember during labor, that thankfully were photographed.  I'm glad I have images that show me laughing, smiling, and joking around with my husband. But also the images that show when my contractions hit, when I needed help pushing, the moments where I was telling them that I didn't want to push anymore (I am quite stubborn).  And then the amazing, breathtaking moments of my daughter entering the world.


I was given the opportunity this past December to photograph the birth of my friends son. I was so honored and moved to be there. You can see the birth images here: http://marisataylorphotography.blogspot.com/2011/12/sweet-baby-gabriel-birth-story.html

Birth photography is something that I love, something that I want to do, and something that I want to offer.  I love photographing people, but more than that I love photographing love.  Those first few moments of your baby coming into the world is something that is more powerful than words can describe, and I think you should have images that show that!

If you are or know someone who is pregnant and due soon, and would love to have the opportunity to have their birth documented, please, send them my way. Whether it is a home birth, hospital birth, birth center birth, I will be there! Pin It

Tina {Delaware Portrait Photographer}

Tina is another good friend of mine of whom I've had the pleasure of photographing. Although it took her a while to finally get her in, and she was very skeptical at the magic that I could create. But thanks to another friend Tiffany, who did her make-up, and my awesome hair skills, we had Tina made over and looking gorgeous for her photos.

Let's just say that she is not so skeptical anymore.  Here is a before and after.

And here are a few peeks from her session. Again, totally gorgeous!

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A Journey to the Futures Past

Guess what happens between May 18, 2010 and May 20, 2012?



The STEAMPUNK WORLD'S FAIR!!!

It's one of my favorite events to go to, and Wes and I have been going since the very first SPWF in 2010.  It has been amazing to watch this event grow to what it is now, and I love bringing new people into the world of Steampunk. Before I go running off on a tangent of how awesome this event is, let me first start by explaining what Steampunk is.

There is no set definition of Steampunk.  It's sort of a lot of things pushed into one.  Think victorian times meet the future.  It's what Victorians would have imagined the future, our current time to be.  Think of movies like Wild Wild West (with Will Smith) and Sherlock Holmes (with Robert Downey Jr.).  Imagine airships, and privateers, and brown and leather and cogs, and gears and craftmanship, and mustaches. Oh, the epic facial hair!  If I am sounding way off, then check out "New to Steampunk" here, and it gives you a better idea.

So, why do I go? Well because it is filled with AWESOME! Awesome costumes, awesome music, awesome people, awesome events.  And I love it all.  There are musical performances, such as Emperor Nortons Stationary Marching Band, there is an Epic Facial Hair Competition, as well as Queen of Steam, and other great events. Oh, did I mention that Voltaire will be there also?!

Here are some pictures of the past two years that I took while there. I was having way too much fun to get into full photographer mode, but these will give you an idea of what goes down!

Last year, while I was pregnant, I was interviewed at the SPWF my Mo Rocca! This video gives you more than what my pictures can! I make an appearance at 6 minutes 21 seconds.

And who doesn't love steampunk babies!!!  Here is my daughter Charlotte aka Steampunk Baby of the Year

So again, you NEED to go. It is an experience that you won't forget. You get to see all sorts of fashion, listen to all sorts of great music, and have an AMAZING TIME! Pin It

Portrait: Jose {Delaware Portrait Photographer}

I love photographing people. There's no question about that.  I love photographing wedding couples, engaged couples, families, babies, the whole nine.  The one thing that I don't photograph well (gasp!), is men. By themselves.  I can pose a man great, when he is with his wife, fiance, or children. But if he is by himself, I'm lost.  So I took it as a challenge to myself to get some guys in and photograph them, and make them look as awesome as the ladies I photograph. 

And I think I nailed it with this one.

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Love, Mom - Melanie & Amber {Delaware Portrait & Family Photographer}

You never know how much love your heart can hold until you become a mother.  A mother loves unconditionally and unlimited.  We create and carry and nurture life.  It really is an amazing thing.  When we see our little girls grow up from little babies to bright, strong, beautiful young women, our heart breaks yet fills with more love at the same time.  We don't want our little girl growing up, but at the same time we are so proud of what they are growing in to.

I was so happy to finally have my friend Melanie and her daughter Amber in for a Love, Mom session. I've done Mel's boudoir session as well as a mini session with her son. Now being able to get Amber in too, was great.  Let me tell you about these too, they are cut from the same stone, exactly alike. Which is quite humorous to watch when they are together. 

Melanie and Amber, I love you both!

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Chic Critique Cover Contest

I don't often enter contests, for a numerous amount of reasons. One of them is that I am a big baby, and I get all sad when I don't when. Then a mandatory trip to Sonic is involved for some tots and slushies.  But tonight, I came across this contest for Chic Critique Forum, and figured why not?  If I win, awesome! If I don't win, not so awesome. Either way, I am going to go to Sonic!

So the image I am entering is one that I love, and every time I look at it, it takes my breath away. It's from a portrait session I did with Amber, who is the daughter of a good friend of mine.  Amber, I'm hoping your awesomeness will win!

You can see more of the contest over at http://chiccritiqueforum.com/cover-contest  It's not a voting contest (which makes me happy in some sense), the editor will be choosing the winner. So let's hope that this stunning image of Amber wins! Pin It

I've Come a Long Way Baby! - Delaware Wedding and Portrait Photographer

It's not about where I am, it's about how far I've come. And baby, I have come a long, long away. I use to struggle with finding my style, my niche of photography. I tried to emulate every editing style that I saw, imitate every pose that I viewed, but in the end it wasn't me.  Being in a field such as this, where your work is the end product of your creativity, it is hard.  I always criticize myself. I always wonder what and how I can do better.  It's a journey.  It really doesn't have an end.  If I ever get to the point where I am comfortable and completely content with my work, that means I have lost my hunger, my want, to create great images.  It means I have lost that drive to create great images.  Which is why, now after a few years running my business I am ok with not being rich. I am ok with not being famous. I am ok at criticizing my own work and wanting to grow and become better. It means that I am still on my journey. It means that I have come a long way from where I started at.  Pin It

{Newborn Portrait-Robert} Delaware newborn and baby photographer

My friends Karen and Ridge added an adorable little addition to their family named Robert.  I have been anxious to meet the little one since he was born! And yesterday Karen stopped by so we can catch up, and I could not resist getting a few shots in.  Of course, he woke up, and I still believe my curse of the non-sleeping newborns is alive and well!  It's ok though! His little face and big personality totally made up for it.  So here are some of his images and you can soak up the adorableness for yourselves!

The last picture I like to call "The Gun Show", since that is the little pose who is in. Do you have tickets?  To what? The gun show!!! 

Every time I photograph a new little one, I am amazed at how fast time really does fly. My daughter is almost 8 months old. And I see this tiny little babies, and then look at my daughter, and I'm just baffled. Time really does slip away. I am so glad that I am able to be a part of peoples lives and give them images of the very special times in their lives.

Now it's Saturday! And apparently I do not know what the meaning of taking a day off to relax is, hence me working and posting this blog. But I am going to head out and enjoy the day with my daughter and husband!!! Have a great weekend everyone! Pin It

Childrens Session: Morgan and Taran {Delaware Baby and Children Photographer}

Babies, babies, babies galore. And throw in their adorable older siblings, and it is a recipe for pure cuteness. I love photographing little Taran and his big sister Morgan. They were just the sweetest things ever.  Full of personality and fun, and just amazing.  And again, Taran was another newborn who stayed awake for his entire session. Will I ever photograph a sleeping baby? Probably not. But I must admit, I do love when they interact and make little cooing noises at me. 

Here is some of the images from their session. Enjoy.

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Love, Mom: My Family! (Delaware Family Portrait Photographer)

I can talk the talk, but can I walk the walk? Well, actually...yes I can. Today I photographed my family for a Love, Mom session! It included four generations of women, and now I can finally say that I do have portraits of me and my family, and yes...I do have a portrait with my mom.

Since this was my family, I kind of went happy go lucky and edited it all in black and white. I LOVE black and white.

My mother and grandmother

My mother and grandmother

All of us, four generations! Myself, my daughter Charlotte, my mother Shirley, my grandmother Katie, my sister Shannon, and my sister Maya.

My mother and gorgeous little sister

Me and my mommy. Yes, I still call her mommy.

And the next picture is perhaps my most favorite picture of all time. To me, it emotes such emotion and happiness, while still being a simple image.

My grandmother, and Charlotte

For details on Love, Mom sessions, go here. Pin It