The Parkot's Coit House Birth with Fika Midwifery and Wholenine Wellness | Buffalo Birth Photographer

An actual written definition of the word support is to bear all or part of the weight of or to hold up. There is no greater place to really feel the meaning behind these words than in birth. Bringing a child into this world is an arduous task, especially when you’re attempting a natural birth without intervention of pain medication. From those in the room alongside a woman in labor, especially for a spouse/significant other, there is a requirement for support like you may have never imagined giving. It requires remaining positive and encouraging even though the mom may be crying out in pain, saying she can’t do it (which by the way, all moms say this; every. single. one. of them). And it may even require actually, physically holding up mom so she can drop down and labor as her body is telling her to. Birth is a heavy experience, and the weight of it is best to be shared with people who you love and trust, and most of all, who you can count on for support.

The Parkots arrived to the Coit House on a wintery Wednesday evening, and just after sunrise welcomed their newest addition, another baby boy to complete their family. This mama worked so hard to bring her baby earthside, and throughout the evening received nothing but love and support from her husband, doula (Rebecca of Wholenine Wellness), and midwife/assistant team (Maura and Sigrid of Fika Midwifery). It was the kind of birth story that gives me all the feels. The support felt in the room was so strong, and when I look back on these images, it puts me right back in those moments all over again. That is my greatest goal as a fly-on-the-wall birth photographer. I want my clients to see moments like this where husband and wife are really leaning into one another, connecting and supporting one another throughout the entire birth experience. Whether it’s a painful moment or a joyous one (because there will be plenty of both!), it’s ALL part of your birth story, and it’s such an honor for me to give you a glimpse of these moments during such a transformational life experience.

If you’re looking to have personalized, holisitic care throughout your pregnancy and birth, I highly recommend Maura and Lydia of Fika Midwifery as well as Rebecca of Wholenine Wellness for your doula needs. And if you are interested in having a home birth-like experience without actually being at home, the Coit House may be just the option you’re looking for. Providing a quiet space to labor, the rooms at the Coit House are fully equipped with plush beds for laboring and rest, a birthing pool, shower, and an assortment of tools on site to help you progress and work through your labor.

Join the team at Fika Midwifery on Tuesday, April 2nd for a Welcome Session presentation to learn more about how you can have a positive and empowering pregnancy and birthing experience!

I respect the privacy of my clients and only share images that are client-approved for sharing.

In-home Newborn Session with the Finnegan Family | Buffalo Newborn Photographer

I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Mallory a little bit over the last few years when she was a bridesmaid in several weddings I photographed for two of her closest friends. When I got the inquiry to photograph her and her hubby’s newest family addition, a sweet baby boy, I was over-the-moon excited!

I put newborn sessions on hold the last few years because I really wanted to focus more on the documentary photography side of my business – services I am able to provide with my birth stories and real life family sessions. Photographing the candid, natural moments that occur between loved ones without any direction from behind the camera is my deepest passion. However, when I had my own son back in May, I realized how important it is to have photographs that are also lightly posed in nature, too. The years (especially with little ones) go by so quickly, and it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day and forget to carve out time for preserving life as it was like in the present moment. For the Finnegan family, their in-home newborn session was focused on preserving these early moments spent together at home with their fresh baby in their arms and their fur baby loving on their sweet newborn. I documented the tiny toes and baby yawns, all the hard work that went into creating the most perfect nursery, and they posed for some first family portraits together. Next year, their lives and the atmosphere of their home are going to look so different, and it brings me so much joy to be able to provide these images that preserve the moments of today.

My heart fills with joy anytime I am invited to be a part in capturing a special story for a couple or family. I am excited to again be offering in-home newborn sessions like this one, along with continued photography services around families, including Maternity Sessions, Birth Stories, First Hours (Fresh 48) Sessions, Real Life Family Sessions, and Traditional Family Portraits. I am currently booking spring and summer sessions, so if preserving family memories is a priority for you this year, I’d LOVE to hear from you and discuss your upcoming photography needs!

A Beautiful, Laid-Back Wedding at the Historic Knox Farms Estate | Buffalo Wedding Photographer

You know how sometimes in life you meet someone and you just instantly want to be their best friend? Well, I’ve been very fortunate in my business to create great relationships with nearly all of my clients, and in many instances, it’s as if I’ve been adopted into their families. Beyond the wedding day, they invite me back year and after year to document their love as it expands to fur babies, real babies, or even just more for one another. It’s undeniably the biggest honor and I’m so grateful for all the amazing friendships that have come from photographing so many couples on their wedding days.

Natalie and Dan are no exception to this. From day one, I knew we’d become lifelong friends. They’re so goddamn nice. Like, legit the nicest people you’ll ever, ever meet. They LOVE hard – whether just each other, their loved ones, life all around. And they are such joyful, positive souls. Even my husband wants to hang out with them, and no lie he and I are both over here living life viacariously through them these days post-babe and may or may not be waiting for them to have children of their own so we can all just get together for baby play dates. Needless to say, they are my type of people and therefore, this wedding day was soooo beyond special to be a part of.

Natalie and her girls got ready in the Knox Farms bridal suite, with Natalie’s baby brother doing some of the girls’ makeup. (How awesome is that to have a built-in makeup fixer on hand all day?) Dan and his crew got ready downstairs, and helped with setting up everything for the ceremony, including the big heptagon piece Dan MADE for the ceremony. Natalie had the vision, and he built it for her. (Ladies… marry a man who will build you things or make your visions come true. I’m serious.) Once ready, Natalie exchanged a first look with her father, and then did a First Look with Dan – both times her eyes swelling up with tears before they even turned around to see her. The ceremony was another tear-jerker as Natalie and Dan exchanged their own personalized vows. And the incredibly beautiful speeches at dinner brought on more tears. Needless to say, there were emotionally-charged moments of happiness and joy like that throughout the day, and it was perfectly beautiful, and perfectly true to who they are as a couple. To even out the tears, there was a fun pig roast style dinner catered by Occassions by Osteria, capped with yummy homemade pies from Everything Pie Farm Bakery, and A LOT of dancing. The dance floor was packed all night long, with everyone parting the night away to the music of Saxman Slim under the tent provided by McCarthy’s Tents and Events.

From start to finish, it was a beautiful day to be a part of, and I am so excited to share a few highlights here today. But first, some stellar recommendations for any couples currently wedding planning:

Do you have any recommendations for future couples planning a wedding? Stay true to yourselves every step of the way. Try not to get caught up in the little details. One day I found myself browsing monogrammed cocktail napkins, and I was like, “WHAT. AM. I. DOING?!” Just make sure you have good food, good booze, good music, and most importantly a great photographer because photographs are all that will be left of that whirlwind day. We wish we could’ve been ten people at one time in order to see everyone, do everything and be everywhere, but thankfully the photos give us glimpses of those unseen moments for us! Lastly... if you can, go on a honeymoon right away! It gives you something to look forward to during those final days of planning/stressing, and it was the perfect way to celebrate and relax as husband and wife.

Thank you, Nan & Dan for everything!!
And for being the sweetest people ever and asking me to be in a photo, too.
You’re the best. <3

Special shout-out to all the vendors:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Knox Farms
Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Basically [our photographer] and our caterer!
Officiant: Glo McDonald
Photographer: Dawn M Gibson Photography <3
Florist: Flowers by Nature, plus Trader Joe’s and Sam’s Club for mantel decor and centerpieces made by the bride!
Caterer: Occasions by Osteria - Alyssa Sumers the coordinator is a godsend
Pies: Everything Pie Farm Bakery
DJ/Band/Entertainment: Saxman Slim - Matthew Tritto
Invitations: Lisa Santoro (Bride’s Aunt) at Seaboard Graphics
Hair: Fawn and Fox Salon
Makeup: Adam John Beauty (Bride’s brother) and Grace Suzanne Makeup
Bride/Groom Attire: Bride: Lillian West from Bliss Bridal in Hamburg. Groom: theblacktux.com Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Wedding Party Attire: Maids: azazie.com and Groomsmen: theblacktux.com
Decorations/Decor Design or Rentals: Our living room and dining room, ha!
Favors: Custom matchbooks from foryourparty.com
Tent, Table, and Chair Rental: McCarthy’s Tents & Events

'Tis The Season for Holiday Parties: Crowley Webb & Praxis Celebrate the end of Another Great Year at The Saturn Club of Buffalo

For the last 6 years I’ve been invited to photograph the holiday party for local advertising agency, Crowley Webb and Associates, alongside their sister-company, Praxis. This year’s holiday festivities (like the most of the last 6) were held at The Saturn Club – a beautiful and historic, private social club located in Buffalo. Drinks and hors d’ouvres were were enjoyed over laughter and conversation, followed by a recap of the year’s achievements and employee accomplishments, promotions, and personal life milestones. The night continued with dinner, a secret santa exchange of gifts, and creative custom jingles sang on stage that brought down the house with laughter. This is such a great group of people and every year, I am so thankful to be invited to document such a great end of another year! Here’s a quick recap of some highlight moments from the night!

Happy holidays to all!