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The Face of Bravery

Heather Lauffer for Tamara Lackey Photography:

I was contacted by the Davis family fairly soon after Kim learned she would be expecting a sweet little boy.  Kim and I exchanged messages of excitement, in preparation for Owen’s very first photo shoot.  “Do you have props, cute hats, what if I buy something for him to wear….can you PLEASE do that adorable chin in the hands pose?!”  Of course my answer to each question was a “yes, I have it or yes, I can do that pose”…and his due date was marked on our calendar.

Owen was to be induced by c-section on May 11, so I waited patiently for news of his birth.  The night of his birth, I received a message from Kim that Owen had arrived, weighing over 9 lbs, but that he was unexpectantly born with a serious medical condition that would require surgery and an indefinite hospital stay.  Owen was born with his bladder on the outside of his body, which required him to be transferred to another hospital and a surgery date set.  At this point, without knowing when Owen would be well enough to come home, photos were out of the question….or so we thought!

A few days later, Owen was given permission to be brought home for 3 days, as he waited for his surgery…so at 5 days old, I was fortunate enough to be one of the very few who were allowed to see him, and hold him.  Carefully, Kim and her husband Heath, handed Owen to me, as I gently began to pose him, capturing the newborn details of this strikingly beautiful baby boy.  He was perfection…and as you can see below, with a little modification, I was able to achieve the chin in the hands pose that his Mommy had been dreaming of!

North Carolina Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill Newborn PhotographerNorth Carolina Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill Newborn Photographer

A few days after Owen’s surgery, I traveled to UNC’s PICU to visit with the Davis family and capture a few more of this brave little man.  He had successfully completed his surgery and was in wonderful hands as his little body healed, yet unable to be held because his pelvis had to be broken during surgery.

North Carolina Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill Newborn PhotographerNorth Carolina Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill Newborn Photographer

As a mother, you sacrifice so much for your children and it was overwhelming to me to witness Kim, who had been a Mom for 9 months as she carried Owen in her womb and 1 week since his birth…she was amazing.  She was strong.  She was so much braver than I could have been…

North Carolina Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill Newborn Photographer

Thank you to the Davis family for sharing your little one with me, for trusting me with his fragile little body as I photographed him, for letting me shower him with kisses…and for showing me how to be brave…

Lots of love…Heather (your Baby Whisperer)

 

 

26 responses to “The Face of Bravery”

  1. Jessi says:

    Gorgeous photos to accompany such a sweet story!

  2. Jessi says:

    Gorgeous photos to accompany such a sweet story!

  3. Janet says:

    Prayers are with this little guy.  The photography tells an awesome story.

  4. Janet says:

    Prayers are with this little guy.  The photography tells an awesome story.

  5. Shannon Heath says:

    Heather – this story, and you, are beautiful.  I’m sure it meant the world to them that you could capture these moments for their family.  What a sweet baby – prayers to their family for a speedy recovery. 

  6. Shannon Heath says:

    Heather – this story, and you, are beautiful.  I’m sure it meant the world to them that you could capture these moments for their family.  What a sweet baby – prayers to their family for a speedy recovery. 

  7. Kisa says:

    Such a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing

  8. Kisa says:

    Such a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing

  9. This is so wonderful! I love everything about this post. The baby is so beautiful. Hope he gets better soon. 

  10. This is so wonderful! I love everything about this post. The baby is so beautiful. Hope he gets better soon. 

  11. Beth says:

    Oh my.  That photo of Kim gazing at Owen has brought me to tears.

  12. Beth says:

    Oh my.  That photo of Kim gazing at Owen has brought me to tears.

  13. Beachyjrh / Jane says:

    Oh my goodness!! Heather, I cried as I read this!! Our Tatum was born with a birth defect , and had surgery at birth!!  I remember the fear in Jason and Trinity’s eyes and all I wanted was to take away the pain. You do have to be so brave!! Little Owen is beautiful!!! You did a great job!!

  14. Beachyjrh / Jane says:

    Oh my goodness!! Heather, I cried as I read this!! Our Tatum was born with a birth defect , and had surgery at birth!!  I remember the fear in Jason and Trinity’s eyes and all I wanted was to take away the pain. You do have to be so brave!! Little Owen is beautiful!!! You did a great job!!

  15. Jeffkelly820 says:

    Wow! What a story! How is Owen doing? Great photos. He is sooo precious! God bless him and mom and dad! I pray that he is doing well and my thoughts and prayers are with you and them all!

  16. Jeffkelly820 says:

    Wow! What a story! How is Owen doing? Great photos. He is sooo precious! God bless him and mom and dad! I pray that he is doing well and my thoughts and prayers are with you and them all!

  17. Jerry Dillard aka Grandfather says:

    As a professional myself, I could not be more please with the care, words and images that were written and captured of my Grandson. Tamara, you have a wonderful and caring staff that follow your photography. Is is truly a pleasure to view such wonderful images.
     

  18. Jerry Dillard aka Grandfather says:

    As a professional myself, I could not be more please with the care, words and images that were written and captured of my Grandson. Tamara, you have a wonderful and caring staff that follow your photography. Is is truly a pleasure to view such wonderful images.
     

  19. robyn L says:

    As a mom who had a baby girl in the NICU (a happy healthy 10-month-old now), these photos and the story touched me deeply.  Excellent work.

  20. robyn L says:

    As a mom who had a baby girl in the NICU (a happy healthy 10-month-old now), these photos and the story touched me deeply.  Excellent work.

  21. Sandra Arscott aka Sissy says:

    My niece Kim and her husband Heath amazed me at how strong they were.  They were blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Owen; and we will all be sharing memories like these with him one day.  Thank you for the beautiful photos of my great nephew and for sharing his story on your first blog.   

  22. Sandra Arscott aka Sissy says:

    My niece Kim and her husband Heath amazed me at how strong they were.  They were blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Owen; and we will all be sharing memories like these with him one day.  Thank you for the beautiful photos of my great nephew and for sharing his story on your first blog.   

  23. Nik Evans says:

    i LOVE this story!  I’m a nurse…and photographer…and hope to put the two together somewhat, just as you have pieced together in this sweet story.  🙂  Great photos!  Thanks for sharing!

  24. Nik Evans says:

    i LOVE this story!  I’m a nurse…and photographer…and hope to put the two together somewhat, just as you have pieced together in this sweet story.  🙂  Great photos!  Thanks for sharing!

  25. Joanne Beecham says:

    Yes I’m an L&D nurse and photographer, and these photo’s brought tears to me. I see such utter highs and lows in my job..and this is an example. Mommies kiss your babies tonight xxx

  26. Joanne Beecham says:

    Yes I’m an L&D nurse and photographer, and these photo’s brought tears to me. I see such utter highs and lows in my job..and this is an example. Mommies kiss your babies tonight xxx

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