A first look at a new baby brother | Oahu birth photography

I hid behind a curtain with my lens trained on the door as I heard  excited whispers and little feet pattering down the hallway. It was a fun first for me, I was about to photograph two little boys meeting their brand new baby brother. I always thought birth photography was really special, but with two kids at home I don’t have the flexibility to be on call. This first look was the next best thing.

Elizabeth had called me as I was photographing a sunrise session for a family at Koolina. The baby had just been born and could I hurry. She was in a private recovery room with a nice big window, but they needed to move her to a shared, windowless space. Many hours and increasingly frantic phone calls later, I arrived at Tripler. Noelle of Sweet Rain Media was going to capture video of the event, so the two of us dashed through the maze of hallways together. When we opened the door sweating and breathless, all was calm and baby smells.

When the boys arrived, they were instantly fascinated and full of love. They checked him thoroughly to make sure he had all his parts. The littlest became fiercely protective of “his” baby and refused to leave his side. It was a precious scene.

Personally, I can’t remember my children meeting. I have a vague memory of the dim hospital lighting and a cranky, unimpressed toddler. We had been telling him for months that his baby sister would not be an instant playmate. He insisted they would go straight to the playground and be best buddies. Still, I wish I had couple photos of that moment.

If you have a newborn on the way, consider a first look session to capture those first moments together. Find our more about my photography sessions here.