Having the birth of our son photographed was one of the best investments I believe we’ll ever make. I wasn’t very interested in it at first. I thought it would be pretty weird and uncomfortable having a stranger in the room with us during such an intimate event in our lives but Ashley integrated herself perfectly and seamlessly with our family. She was more of a fly on the wall- granted it was 5 o’clock in the morning when she got there! She was, for me as well as Khendra, a welcome distraction when we needed it but also allowed us to have moments with ourselves completely undisturbed.

Her dedication to us was great. From what I understand, she’d photographed another birth that same day, had very little sleep, and then showed up for our birth like a champ. We really got to know her during our maternity photos which made it more comfortable for us during the birth. She really captured the essence of our family in both sessions. I come from Scotland. My only family here is my mother so having Ashley for both maternity and birth photography was essential for us in being able to make my family feel like they were a part of that process. We plan to have a second child in a couple of years and we are definitely going to have Ashley photograph that birth as well. I highly recommend Ashley and tell all of our expecting friends about her. It felt like she was meant to be with us for Lochlan’s journey to earth side. Birth photography gives you something that you will treasure for the rest of your life.

My son, Trail was born on June 7th, 2013. This was the birth of my first child and I had never been present in a birth before, so I really had no idea what to expect. When my wife, Monica suggested getting Ashley to photograph the birth, I was not so keen on the idea. Even though we knew Ashley on a personal level, I was pretty reluctant to have anyone else present during the birth, even close family. I pictured someone snapping flashy pictures like the paparazzi, which I thought would be very uncomfortable and downright unnecessary. Monica would be in such a vulnerable state and she didn’t need any distractions or intrusions. I had better things to do than hide my wife’s parts or pose for the camera – I needed to be there for my wife while she brought our son into the world! Although it felt like a strange idea to me, Monica was confident and comfortable with Ashley being there, so I supported her choice.

When Monica went into labour, nothing was how I expected it. Much to my surprise, neither was the photography. Ashley kept a very low profile the entire time. There was no obtrusive equipment lying around and I don’t remember any flashes from the paparazzi. It was also great to have Ashley there as a friend and as someone who had been through this before as a mother and as a supporter. I was able to share thoughts and ideas with her, and having the extra support kept me more calm and collected.

Ashley has such a natural intuition with photography. Knowing when to take a picture in such a critical moment is not a skill that everyone is born with. This skill of hers definitely showed when I first locked eyes with Trail. It was such an emotional, spiritual and heart pounding moment for me. The fact that Ashley was there capturing this moment was perfect but, the fact that I was aware that she was capturing this moment felt perfect. Every time I see those pictures, it brings me right back to that place – so new and so scary, but so warm and fuzzy, the first time I met my new friend. Those pictures can never be recreated, and without them, I likely wouldn’t remember that moment how I do now.

The day was such a blur, it was emotional, it was painful, and it was long – very, very long. We would’ve forgotten so many of these cherished moments without Ashley’s pictures. When we look back on them, it turns what could be otherwise intense, emotional memories, into happy and amazing moments.

Now, I wish I could tell you how awesome our midwife was too!

I am a dad of 3, and all the births being exciting, scary, full of emotions… I was intimidated at first thinking someone will be in the room watching me support my wife closely in this journey, taking pictures of our most private moments as a couple. BUT my wife really wanted this, as our second child was a traumatic delivery with no pictures, my wife had to be put under, and I wasn’t able to get in the room. This broke our hearts no one was there, so when she heard about this, that was it her mind was set! I begged and pleaded with her saying “couldn’t she just come in after?” but no she wanted her there capturing every moment, every second, nothing was going to be lost from this one, we were all there. When Ashley came it was honestly a weight lifted off my shoulders, I could breath, I could comfort and I could be there in all mind and body for my wife, was a relief. She came and she was gone, then a few short days later she came to our house to deliver this package of pictures that would change my perspective on the hole birth photography thing. She caught the best moments I could ask for, the ones I would have never caught holding the camera myself, moments my wife missed cause you know she was kinda busy lol… These are the moments that meant everything to her and now to me, SO my take on birth photography guys DO IT!! I can’t stop looking at the pictures, I even got a new look on myself as a dad and what I have to offer in the first precious minutes you are there for them.

My name is Corey.