My career is one place I have felt God's hand very strongly. I am so blessed and so grateful.
During the winter I was praying for a way to make some extra money and also hone my skills. I knew I needed something flexible, my full time job is my full time job, and also something where I could use my talent. I knew it would be a hard bill to fit. I prayed anyway.
Maple Grove Hospital
In May I was shooting a feature for The Magazine at a local hospital. I started chatting with the doctor I was taking portraits of and as we passed the newborn nursery remarked on a few images hanging in the hallway. He told me he knew the president of the company who did that and would put me in contact with her. I decided to be proactive and e-mailed her the next day. I sincerely was hoping for an informational interview, just to get some pointers about getting into the business of newborns.
Turns out I had heard of her before. Years ago, I watched a local news story about a woman who had lost a baby and gracefully photographed him. She ended up getting involved in a network of photographers, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. You can read about the honorable work they do here. She also began her newborn photography company.
She agreed to meet with me and our coffee date informational interview turned into part-time position that was truly an answered prayer. I began training in July and have been shooting two weeks give or take every month during the times when I'm not busy with my regular gig. I love, love, love it. I travel to about three local hospitals and have the honor of photographing a baby's first day.
Methodist Hospital
I love that I see so much diversity, after all, everyone has babies! I love how excited and thrilled parents are. I love the raw realness of it. Probably my favorite part is how first-time dads are... so excited every one of them, a little nervous and very gentle. One dad looked over at me after showing him a slide show of images of his new daughter and said, "isn't she just the most beautiful baby you've seen?!" And they are, because every life is beautiful and special. I love that at our first staff meeting my new boss reminded us of something so poignant: every life is a fresh start, a clean slate. I love being part of something for the greater good.
