Ohhh how I love Fresh 48 sessions! Its the very best thing next to birth. This little darling was so fresh, he had literally just been born. There he was in dad arms while dad beamed with pride. Family gathered round in adoration while we all stared in awe at what a little miracle was in front of us. Witnessing a woman and a man evolve through a right of passage of parenthood. Looking at each other like 'yes. we did this.' Mum holding her new bundle as she and bub learns how to breastfeed. Woman to woman, sissy to sissy, mum's big sister gently encourages and guides her. Right through to finally collapsing by the end of the day out of pure exhaustion. Their first sleep together as a family.
There is a bit of a back story to these newly weds, who have long anticipated for the arrival of their first born child. The mother Eliza Spiteri lost her own mother to cancer when she was only 16 years old. Understandably the whole family was completely devastated. Eliza has had to go through life with some significant milestones without her mother being there, such as finishing school, her wedding and now the birth of her first child.
Eliza’s oldest sister Dannielle also rocked the family with devastating news 6 years ago. She was diagnosed with terminal melanoma. She was told the family she may have 2 years to live. Thankfully and overwhelmingly fortunate, Danielle battled her way into remission. Welcoming the arrival of baby Theo was an ecstatic, love filled yet bittersweet moment for Eliza and Danielle. Having Danielle there, a close relationship with her sister now more important than ever, her guidance and mother figure in her life. Danielle felt triumphed and in awe that she survived cancer that she made it. The thought that she was told she would not be here to see this day overwhelmed her. The bittersweet moment of staring at this precious baby boy in awe and knowing their mother was not here to share that moment. Eliza wanted photos more than anything. she told me how documenting her family was so important to her now as she has suffered such a loss. All she has are photos of her mother. Eliza wishes to have as many photos of herself and with her son to pass down to him if anything were to happen to her.
These photos fill my heart and soul. If there were anything that I would say that drives me to be a photographer, its this. To capture those important moments and deliver them in the best possible way I know how.
If your birth story is something you would like me to capture then please email me -justine@justinecurran.com.au