A BIRTH STORY | COHEN

It was never a sure thing. It's something we'd spoken about from the beginning of Stacey's pregnancy but never really decided on.

Stace had already been in labour for a day or so when Kesh and I arrived. We're kinda like each other's family down here. We've moved here to chase something that stirs within us. For Stacey's husband, Jeremy, it's a career in medicine and he's really close. At the end of this year, he will graduate. 

Their home is a comfortable place for us, it's familiar. Their little ones put a 'y' on the end of both Kesh's name and mine. 'Keshy' and 'Timmy' - that's who we are in the Granger home.

The one thing we had decided on, was that Kesh and I would look after Jeremy and Stacey's three eldest when the time came for Stacey to give birth.

Something I've realised throughout Kesh's pregnancy, is how sacred this is. Without doubt, I believe bringing a new life into the world is the single most beautiful thing humans are able to do. And it's a role that has been specially entrusted to women. With this in the back of my mind, I was wary that having me there might not be ideal, convenient or comfortable. There was a part of me though, deep in my chest, that burned every time I thought about documenting this for my friends. I walked through the front door with my camera bag and told Stacey that I was doing this, unless she told me not to.

Stacey was considered and said 'OK'.

There is an amazing story in these images. It's beautiful to me. I'm not going to try and tell it here, with my feeble words. There is one experience I want to share with you though.

In the minutes before Stacey began to push, she was, in actuality, past the point of being able to continue. I stepped back a little, my heart breaking, tears gathering in my eyes, and I prayed. 'Please baby, come into this world'. For those few minutes, Jeremy put his face in front of Stacey's. He stroked her hair and whispered so softly only she could hear. There were four words I was able to make out though.

'You can do this'.

And with that love and belief, Stacey did.

It's no small thing, sharing the birth of your child with all those who wish to see. I'm so grateful to Stacey for allowing me to share this with you. She is amazing.





























For those of you who are interested, Cohen was ten pounds.

 I'm passionate about life. If your birth is something you would like documented, I'd love to hear from you.

44 comments:

  1. that is totally awesome Tim...stop making me cry!

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  2. amazing job, tim. you've captured this so beautifully

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  3. oh. my. lord. 10 pounds! amazing tim, really amazing. of course. I am so glad stacey agreed to have you capture this too, this truly is such a sacred time in a couple's life - but also in a woman's life, whether she has a supportive partner or not. part of the journey is all by yourself. even if you are in a room full of doctors and loved ones. I know she will look back at these photos with immense love in her heart for you being there. goosebumps - brilliant! x

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  4. So beautiful, Tim! Profound and poignant.

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  5. these are STUNNING! I felt like I was right there with you in these photos! Amazing job. Oh my goodness. SO beautiful.

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  6. Wow, it's wonderful. You've captured this so beautifully, it brings back all the emotion of having my boys, beautiful..

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  7. Tim ...You completely did justice to this . Breath taking . Tell Stacey she made me cry and Congratulations !!!!! xx

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  8. oh my goodness Tim, i have tears STREAMING down my face. A true honour has been bestowed upon you, and consequently us too. BEST STORY YOU HAVE EVER TOLD. Glorious.


    xo em

    i just have to sob a little longer.

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  9. I have no words, just overwhelming emotion, gratitude and humility.
    Thank you to you all for sharing.

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  10. wow Tim!! This was just beautiful, I still have tears in my eyes. Amazing.

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  11. Oh my...
    As a mummy to one, with another growing as I write, this touched me somewhere so deep. The photos are simply amazing, what a beautiful reminder for this family of how tough birth can be but what an amazing reward.
    You are amazing too, Tim.
    Rhi xx

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  12. firstly, sincere thanks to Stacey (and family) for being willing to share these - it is a sacred and vulnerable time. i acknowledge the bravery of your decision.
    and Tim, for being your first time capturing a birth i think you have understood the process remarkably (i always knew you would) - the way you have captured the time between contractions in early labour (life as usual and then intense focus) and i also like the way you have acknowledged the other siblings and the husband (not just the birthing mother).
    i hope you get many more opportunity to photograph births.
    ~dee

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  13. Far out.. This is beautiful! Having given birth only 4 weeks ago myself, I can't tell you how much this affected me.
    Thank you for sharing, and congratulations to the gorgeous family.
    Steph

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  14. I love the silence of these images - just exquisite. I held my breath from start to finish and related to all the minutia of the experience. What a truly wonderful document for their family. Congratulations x C

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  15. Woah that is amazing. Having just given birth a month ago - it was awesome to see all these images. It's such an intense, incredible experience.

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  16. Wow wow WOW!!! So intimate, so beautiful, so real. I held my breath through each photo, I am in awe! Brought so many memories back for me of Elliot's birth. What a beautiful experience for all of ou. And congrats to Stacey - 10 pounds!

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  17. Wow this brings back so many memories - must admit I did shed a tear looking at these photos.
    Such an amazing experience!

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  18. Oh Tim! There aren't enough words to describe how precious these are! You've captured the experience in such a respectful and beautiful way. You have this hormonal pregnant woman crying tears of excitement and joy. So so beautiful.
    And to Stacey - a 10 pound baby?! Well done! Cohen is gorgeous. xx

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  19. I'm crying over here. These are so precious. Specially loved the ones taken home, before leaving to hospital and of course the ones when the baby was born.

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  20. Wow that was amazing! Just scrolling down quietly and I found myself watching the clock (in the pictures) all of a sudden thinking of the hours and then OH! a picture with daddy holding the baby and passing it to mum and....well words don't describe well enough that special moment. Hello Cohen.

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  21. This is amazing and beautiful in every way. I'm sure they feel so lucky that you were there to document such a special moment.

    And (on a side note) I'm quietly wondering how Stacey's hair stayed so perfect throughout the entire labour!

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  22. I know you know this was special but you just wait... We you and Kesh have your bub you will truly know how super special it was to both you and them.... This whole experience will be magnified ten fold. Blissful. Thanks so much for sharing you have made many Mums memories coming flooding back x

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  23. Man, that's courageous and wonderful. x

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  24. So well done, it is a feeling that can not be felt in any other capacity. And so great that you guys were there to help watch the little ones. With 5 kids I know exactly how important that is at this time. Congrats to them...

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  25. This is beautiful. So emotional and sensitively photographed.

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  26. nothing can ever describe how she feels. nothing. - pain.fear.elation.love- one enormous package of raw emotion. the miracle of life. your images, however they come very close indeed. huge congratulations to you. xx Tam.

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  27. Gosh Tim, where do I even begin?

    This is so, so special. Beautiful and full to the brim with emotion. I didn't realise I was holding my breath til the end. I'm so glad you got this opportunity - it makes me really want to photograph a birth! Or have another baby. Either one!

    And Stacey is a champ.

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  28. What an honour for you to be invited to witness and document such a magical time in their lives. You should be very proud, Tim. These are just beautiful. Well done! x

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  29. I'm a friend of Stacey and now a huge fan of yours! I am also sobbing whilst viewing this amazing experience. My son was over 10 pounds too and I found myself right back there to his birthday. Your work is captivating and awe inspiring. Much respect and thanks for you and the Granger family for sharing this with the world!!

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  30. Wow. Tears here. What amazing photos.

    Congrats to Stacey and her family. She is blessed to have these photos taken, during one of the most precious moments you can experience.

    Tim, I'll drop you an email next time I'm expecting.

    x

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  31. that is amazing. i never would have thought to have my child's birth photographed. it was done with such humility, grace and dignity - they will cherish those photos forever. congrats to you and the parents of little cohen

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  32. I am in awe - such an raw, touching, gorgeous set of photos. Seriously tearing up.

    your work is beautiful.

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  33. That first black and white of dad bringing baby up to mum, i about lost it! That was such a perfect, perfect shot. You are a true talent.

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  34. This is so labourious! Such great insight :)

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  35. Even though I was such a long way away looking at these photos felt like I was there watching the birth of my Grandson! Absolutley Beautiful, thank you xxx

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  36. I've had four boys. My own birthing days are over and yet I am obsessed by about it. A new life, coming into the world. What is not addictive about that?

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  37. Amazing ... So much more than photography

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  38. priceless photography of the wonder of the female body.

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