08/28/2026
Welcome to the world, Madeline. š¤
Katieās East Texas birth story began with an induction on August 23, earlier than originally planned. I went on call that evening and spent most of the night half-awake, worried I might miss the message telling me it was time.
At 6:30 the next morning, I checked in. Katie was already dilated to five, so I grabbed my camera bags and headed to the hospital. When I arrived, she hadnāt even received her epidural yet and somehow, she was completely calm. You honestly would not have known she was in active labor.
About 10ā15 minutes later, she received her epidural. By 9:00 a.m., the nurse checked her and quickly realized that baby Madeline was right there and ready to be born. Everything happened so much faster than any of us expected.
The doctor came in, Katie pushed one time, and at 9:15 a.m., Madeline was here...beautiful, healthy and looking so much like her big brother, Gus.
Katie, you made childbirth look absolutely effortless. Iām still in awe of the strength and girl power you showed in that room. From the time I arrived until Madeline was born, barely an hour and a half had passed. She was ready, and apparently, she did not believe in wasting anyoneās time. š
The more births I photograph, the more deeply I love birth photography. There is nothing staged or rehearsed about it. It is raw, emotional and completely real...the anticipation in the room, a motherās strength, a father watching his baby take that first breath, parents seeing their child for the very first time, and the privilege of capturing that babyās first photographs.
Being invited into a moment this intimate is something I never take lightly. It is genuinely one of the greatest honors of my work and, without a doubt, one of my favorite stories to document.
I returned the following day for Madelineās Fresh 48 session, after everyone had time to rest and settle in and when big brother Gus came to meet her. He may still be processing the fact that the baby brother he requested turned out to be a baby sister, but I have a feeling she will have him completely wrapped around her tiny finger soon enough. š¤
Stay tuned for Madelineās Fresh 48 story.
SG Photography | Birth Photographer
Documentary birth photography, Fresh 48 and lifestyle newborn photography in Lufkin and throughout East Texas