Complimentry NICU Photography
It’s been a long time coming to introduce Baby Kilee’s session, much due to Mom & Dad wanting to surprise family with her photo shoot for Christmas. Then with the website going down, her post was postponed even longer. But in all honesty, it gives the chance to now call Kilee a NICU grad who is home and thriving and here to send the message of hope to other parents.
Amazing things happen in the NICU. Inside that glass isolette is a very tiny yet powerful bundle of hope and courage. The power, emotion, courage and hope that can be wrapped up weighing just over a pound is monumental. Amazing. Breathtaking. Especially for a Mom & Dad who has embraced hope and truly grasp the importance of every hour, minute and second of her life. I introduce to you Miss Lilliana Hope who is a little fighter and a beautiful one at that. I was so truly honored to capture this moment in time.
It is an honor and privilege to work with preemies and their families. Tiny, vulnerable and delicate. Loved, cherished and watched over. Worry, fear and anxiety. So many words to describe. And photos probably explain better than words. Here are twins, Paityn and Owen.
There was something so special about Alex’s shoot, it was the first skin to skin, Kangaroo Time that I got to take pictures for. Not only that, but it was Alex’
s moms first time holding Alex skin to skin. I am so lucky to be part of such an intimate and special moment to a NICU parent because these are the moments I live for.
There was something so special about Alex’s shoot, it was the first skin to skin, Kangaroo Time that I got to take pictures for. Not only that, but it was Alex’s moms first time holding Alex skin to skin. I am so lucky to be part of such an intimate and special moment to a NICU parent because these are the moments I live for.
Path:
When I dreamed of this idea over a year ago, I never in a million years would think that a year later we would have such an amazing following. Not only did I get blessed with the oppurtunity to start Ounces of Hope, but I also landed an oppurtunity to start working in the NICU at the same time. Two dreams of mine come true and fall into my lap, just like it was meant to be. In all honesty, it’s been the most healing part of my journey thus far. Since March I have met some amazing new coworkwers who have since then turn friends and have the oppurtunity to connect with parents on a level only hearts can connect on.
I am so very blessed.
But an even bigger blessing is meeting Jaime, a NICU nurse, Mom and AMAZING photographer from Jaime Bristow Photography. I knew from the begining she just had to be part of Ounces of Hope beacuse her heart swells with love for these little babies and add the amazing photography part… it’s a winning combination. So this summer, I asked her to join me.
Best decision ever. You’re going to love her!!
Photo compliments of Set Free Photography
Just this past week alone, we have had 5 babies get thier pictures taken. The response and feedback has been nothing short of rewarding and together we strive to give parents something they can treasure for a life time. We want to document the small details, the easily forgotten moments and preserve those in time.
So Welcome Jaime and keep an eye out, she has a special set of twins we will be posting soon!!
When beauty is measured in grams and when bonding with your baby means looking through glass and two arm holes it is an amazing thing to watch a Mother know her baby like the back of her hand. Skyler’s Mom, Amber is just this. The out pouring of love and support for Skyler is tremendous. Cards from family, pictures drawn from her cousins and little bits of encouragement grace the walls of her room. Skyler sure is one lucky little girl, and a super cute one too!
A note from Skyler’s Mom she wanted to share:
“Skyler Joyce my little blessing was born at 25 weeks and 3 days gestation weighing 1 pound 6 ounces and she was 12 inches long, on August 8th. (actual due date November 18th.) I never realized how little that really is until I saw my baby girl. She is a miracle that’s for sure. Skyler is now 5 weeks old (almost 6) and weighs 2 pounds 5 ounces and is 14 inches long! My Skyler is a fighter and will continue to fight every day!”
A family knit together can make miracles happen and this is so evident if you ever meet Kayden’s parents. I have had the honor to spend quite some time with them over the past 2 months and I am convinced Kayden’s success is a product of their love and devotion to Kayden’s care. The last time we brought you Kayden he was still so very small and couldn’t tolerate much stimulation and they were clinging on hope for a miracle to happen. Our shoot was minimal at the time with a promise to have a reshoot when he grew a little bigger. And thus bringing you this new glimpse into his little life 2 months later. Keep praying so little Kayden can grow stronger and hopefully make it home in time for FSU football season! GO Noles!!
I had the honor to take photos of sweet baby Kayden this past week. Born just days shy of 24 weeks and after his Mom spent 9 days fighting for every single second, he was born weighing 1lb 8oz. He turns 2 weeks this Sunday and he
sure is one beautiful little boy. We look forward in sharing in his journey as Kayden grows, I know his parents are eager to share and get him big and healthy for the Noles football season 2012.
It would be an understatement to express how lucky I am to have the opportunity to meet these families and share in their journey along side with them. Every single baby has a story, one of miraculous courage, strength and hope. Kayden and his parents are definitely a testament to that and I am blessed to capture these moments so often get missed in the chaos and stress. Thank you M & D for sharing sweet little Kayden.
and P.S
GO NOLES!!
To the moms that say prayers hourly that today will be a good day, or the next moment will be uneventful. To the moms that stare through glass to spend time with their baby and have to scrub in for 3 min just to touch the tiny hands of their son or daughter.
Happy Mother’s Day to some of the strongest Mother’s out there. I know first hand strength is not option- it’s part of being a Mother to a baby who fights daily in the NICU. You all are an inspiration to Mother’s around the world today.
I hope you all have an amazing day filled with hope, smiles and love.
Love,
Ashley
I want to begin with how blessed I am to have the chance to give back to the NICU in such a way that is so close to my heart. I am even more honored to have Baby A as Ounces of Hope very first preemie photographed. Born at 28 weeks and just over a pound, this little miracle showed all those who doubted what a fight he has. I am truly honored to have met his parents, share in their journey and most of all preserve this moment in time for them to look back on in years to come.
I’m pretty sure you can look forward to a few more pictures in the future because he is just too handsome not to share!!
