…short, chubby and blonde…but oh how I like him!!!

Ethan at 15 days old

After I walked away from documenting my sister’s labor, I realized…I love photography…and I love love love capturing priceless moments for couples. Being able to take photos for her was an honor…and it sparked something in me.

Hers was the first birth I had ever photographed, and actually, I didn’t even photograph the actual delivery, just before and after. It was enough though to really stir a passion in me for birth photography. So I am endeavoring to build my portfolio and introduce births into Amy Schuff Photography.

I know photographing your child’s birth might seem like a very odd thought, it is not often done. Lily’s birth was photographed by a professional and I absolutely cherish those photos. For our first two, Jeremy and I just snapped some pictures right after they were born. I wish I had photos of the whole process, of the emotions we felt, of family as they waited and of the moment I saw my babies for the first time.

In order to gain experience and build my portfolio, I am offering my services to 2 (two) women. This will be my gift to you -

In addition to no sitting fee, I will gift you all of your digital negatives on CD, complimentary, a priceless gift that you will be able to cherish and share with your new little member of the family. You will have complete printing rights to those images.
~20% off all my a la carte items. You have your images on cd, so you may print them wherever you want, but if you desire to purchase anything a la carte, (gallery wrap, birth announcements or an album) you may do so at 20% off.

Honestly, I don’t know how many photos I will take! This is the process of building my portfolio. It all depends on how your labor goes and the setting we are in. Be prepared though to allow me to capture as many precious moments as I can, allowing you and your loved ones to focus on your labor and your newborn. You don’t have to worry about someone “grabbing the camera” in time for the big moment…just let me do that.

What I ask in return:

~Permission to photograph your labor, delivery and a couple hours of recovery time. It doesn’t matter if you will be delivering at a hospital or at home. If you’re having a scheduled c-section, let me know and we’ll work out the details. I’ll allow one of the 2 births to be a c-section.
~Signed model release from you.
~You must be delivering within 30 miles of the Natomas, Sacramento area (95833 zip code, or be willing to pay all travel costs if delivering out side of the 30 mile radius.)

If you are interested in allowing me to capture your birth experience, please contact me at 916.420.8889 or amy@amyschuffphotography.com

He could hardly wait. The whole week has been torture…not sure for who the most, the little boy who had to wait until his birthday, or his parents who had to put up with all the questions! “Is it my birthday now?” “When do I get my party?” “Can I open my presents?” “Is it my birthday yet?” “Why do I have to go to bed? I have to have my party!” Finally, finally his birthday arrived and I am so glad it did!!

He chose Coco-Puffs for his birthday cereal, just like last year. I’m thinking maybe he doesn’t know he can choose another kind? He opened one gift, a nerf gun, and played with it all day long, it is so wonderful seeing him really understand toys and how to work all the little buttons. Each year he gets bigger…older…I guess that’s the point right?

We had a small family birthday party at a park, we all came to the conclusion it was the fastest birthday party in history! Zach just needed to open his toys and eat cake…I love it! It was so his personality….

(beware…photo overload!)

His Grandmas who love him so much…

MIL made the cake of course…she outdoes herself every time!

He came out to play…we were all so glad he did!

Um…yeah…she had a baby last week?? Two words…Hot Mama!

Boys and their toys…

He’s in love…

Officially parents of a 4 year old boy…

…I knew she could. And HE did it…he was her rock…a true team. I’m so proud of them. I loved them before…but now my love for them overflows…they gave us a gift. My beautiful sister and wonderful brother in law who I just want to call my brother…have given us a ray of sunshine…a sweet, innocent, bundle of sun.

She’s going to kill me for putting this photo in. I know, I was soooo sensitive during her labor (haha). But I call this photo “BFF’s” ♥

Yesterday marked a new era for us. I sent my baby to school. Last year we home schooled, which I absolutely loved and so did Abby. I know I will be homeschooling all my life, but for now, in Abby’s case, a wonderfully sweet little private school is where she belongs. She had an “awesome” day (in her words!) I didn’t cry when I dropped her off, probably because I was busy taking photos. I had my mind on other things, rather than my sweet little Abby being in someone else’s care for a whole day.

When I picked her up she said she missed me, she said she thought about me during the day and wondered what I was doing. She made me give her a run down of my daily activities. Suddenly she is out of the loop and wants to know how many loads of laundry I folded, or what I ate for lunch.

I’m sure many many moms went through the same thoughts that I did yesterday…the thought, the longing, of keeping my baby a baby forever. I know she has to grow up, she tells me she does! But I want to protect her little mind for as long as possible. Protect her from getting hurt, from being made fun of, from hearing bad words or things her little 6 year old mind shouldn’t hear yet. I trust her teachers completely, but that still doesn’t take away the worry that I hold at times. She looked way too big of a girl yesterday in her little school uniform…I put butterfly clips in her hair to bring a little bit of “baby” back into her look.

I’m very excited to see how this changes Zach and I’s relationship. In the middle of the day yesterday he stopped me and said, “its just you and me mom!” (even though Liliana was right next to us!) I saw his mind working, that he finally was able to have some alone time with his Mama. I like that.

He’s due to arrive in 2 days…now whether he got that memo, that is up to him. His cousins decided to take their sweet time when arriving, so he might just follow in their footsteps. We’re all patiently waiting, none more so than his parents. Sis and I went to coffee and Ulta this morning, one quick get away before the little man arrives. We both bought pretty things, shadows, polish, and spritzed perfume that “one day” we will purchase. We know things will change after he is in the picture because after he comes I’ll only have one more seat left in my mini-van. We joke that we will have to purchase a 15 passenger just to hold us all when we run errands together. When I think of that, jetting around town, with our *4* kids in tow, all I have are smiles.

Do you remember when you were about to labor with your first? Pray for her…its all new…and all so exciting. God has her and little man in His hands and we all need to lift her up. She’s about to write her own story, and I’m praying it is a wonderful, smooth, memorable one.

He desperately wants to be a big boy, and yet when Abby’s birthday rolled around…he had a very hard time with it! I took this photo as we were serving Abby breakfast in bed. He just didn’t understand! His birthday is in two weeks and his face lights up every time I ask him what he wants for his birthday, Coco Puffs are already on the menu for his breakfast in bed! I’m determined to make his day so very special. I definitely don’t want to see this sad face again…

Since I’m taking forever on her photos…I thought I would share another sneak peek. Hey bro…is this photo more your style??