I had the pleasure of photographing my best friend’s fourth baby — please have the honor of meeting Ben. My friend lives in New York (upstate, not the city ;)) and as soon as I found out she had him, I booked my tickets to fly out to be with her. You see, my goal was (since it is her FOURTH baby), was that I was going to go out there to help her. I was going to cook for her, clean, play with her kids, and of course, have the honor of photographing Ben during his newborn sweetness. But knowing Erin, I should have realized that all I would be doing was the photographs (and maybe some play time with the older kids). You see, Erin is SUPERmom — she does it all, and with a happy spirit. She never ceases to amaze me.
But I digress — I need to give you some background information first. Erin is a planner. And like any good planner, she likes to know as much information about things as possible. So, when she was pregnant, the doctors gave her the option of doing the nuchal translucency screening test, she took them up on it. It was shocking when the results for Down syndrome came back elevated, but her doctors assured her it was probably nothing to worry about. So, she opted to go for the amniocentesis. And when she got the results back, she not only found out that she was going to have a boy (hooray!), but that her little boy had Down syndrome (Ds).
I can only imagine finding out the news that your child has Ds — and all the accompanying feelings that go along with it. Erin and her family took time to go through their grieving process, and then decided to find out all they could about Ds and some things they could be faced with after the birth of their son. I can honestly say that it’s been amazing being an outsider looking in. Erin has handled the whole thing with grace, and her inner beauty has really shone this whole time.
I was on pins and needles during her last trimester … just waiting for that phone call to tell me she was in labor and ready for me to fly out! And then, one morning, I found out she’d had little Ben. I booked my tickets that day.
When I arrived that evening, the whole family was there to greet me — her Mom was there visiting (who’s like my 2nd mother) and had made an amazing meal, and they were all so welcoming (they always are). And, I got to meet Ben. Precious Ben. Perfect, little wonderful Ben. I fell in love instantaneously. He is such a gift.
And his parents? They blow me away. Seriously. Erin and Nick make parenting look so darned easy, and they are so smitten with all their kids. They are the most amazing parents.
It was really a life changing weekend for me — to see them handle everything with such grace, and to be so thankful for all they’ve been given. And I can imagine that having a child with special needs, a typical response would be to be angry, or be sad or depressed, or just overwhelmed. I think I would be feeling any of those feelings … but the “M” clan are quite the opposite. They are overwhelmed with love, joy, and a thankful spirit.
Erin & Nick — you two are so amazing. I am so overwhelmed with love every time I think of you guys. You are amazing people and your children are all so lucky to have you as their parents. And I am so thankful to have your family in my life. Here are some favorites of Ben from our weekend. xoxo
Edited to add, if anyone would like to follow Erin’s family on her blog, you can read it here
isn’t she beautiful? I so love this picture
If you look closely you can see the little hairs on his lip
Love, love, love this little boy.
What a precious, darling little boy! What a beautiful family! And what a great and wonderful friend you are, Julie! I love you all!
Ah, you made me cry!! What beautiful photos and a perfectly handsome little guy. Congratulations to the family. 🙂
What a precious beautiful baby boy! Congrats to the family and Julie, what an amazing friend you are! These are stunning!
Oh my goodness – what a touching story and what absolutely beautiful portraits! Such a sweet boy! I love the first set where he is swaddled – gorgeous work and congrats to your friends on their precious new boy!
What an adorable little peanut. This was an incredible gift to your friends. Congratulations to them on a fourth blessing!
I love your work and these images are so neat! Down Syndrome kids just have a spirit about them that is amazing and you totally captured that.
Julie these pictures are so emotional! You did an amazing job on catching the closness of the family! I am crying with tears of joy!
These are absolutely beautiful captures of a gorgeous little boy! He is so precious! The pic of him with mom takes my breath away!
He’s absolutely gorgeous!!! You did a fabulous job on these…beautiful lighting, processing and variety. I love the one with him and his mamma…it’s perfect to me!!
I really enjoyed reading the story about them too…they sound like the BEST family.
Both mommy and baby are beautiful! I love his chubby cheeks and sweet face. Just beautiful and peaceful.
absolutely beautiful pictures. and what am amazing family- he is lucky to have them and they are blessed to have him!!
That last one is BREATHTAKING! He is soooo cute! His parents are so blessed to be trusted with this little gem! 🙂
OMG Julie, he’s a doll and their story was so touching, gave me goosebumps. What a lucky little fellow to he is to have such a loving and supportive family. That story board is gorgeous by the way!
He’s just perfect isn’t he? All ready to take on the world and teach us a few things! YOu just captured all his sweetness in these images!
Just stunning images of a gorgeous little boy, who obviously touched your heart. What a blessed family.
Oh Julie. So beautiful. ❤ ❤
He is absolutely adorable! His parents are so blessed.
Absolutely gorgeous. The one with her and mommy in black and white (first one) is spectacular. If that were mine it would go massively huge in the house. Peerrrffect!
What a wonderful story – and what a blessing little Ben is to this beautiful family. Your images are nothing short of stunning – you captured his newness and perfection so well. I love your use of lighting and shallow depth of field, what a wonderful cosy feeling I get from them all!
What an amazing and precious little boy, and family! Congrats to the family! He’s absolutely beautiful!
Wow…what a perfect doll baby! You captured him beautifully!! How blessed he is to have such an amazing family! Stories of such love make my heart smile!
Julie, Julie…oh my word girl! These are SO gorgeous. I am in love with them all…especially the ones with mom!
What gorgeous pictures! You did a wonderful job. My favorite shot is the one of him w/Mom. So beautiful and what a treasure to have for the future when he grows big.
what an absolutely gorgeous baby boy!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the one with mom:) these are a treasure!
Your friend and her family sounds like an amazing bunch! These photos are beautiful, Jules – he is absolutely precious!
So precious! I adore all the sweet images and you do great work!!
What a gorgeous little baby. I loved reading what you wrote. The pic you love with mom and baby is absolutely perfect.
So beautiful!! What an amazing and strong family! He is gorgeous and the family will treasure these forever!
What a sweet baby! I love the variety and the gorgeous light!
Beyond amazing pics!! So glad YOU were there to take them.
May God bless this family over and over again. What a beautiful baby!