the birth of ava elizabeth

March 16, 2011 in birth photography | my life

Our baby girl is a week old today! I have to admit that as much as we thought we were ready and knew what to expect, nothing could have prepared us for the long nights, the chronic exhaustion and the miracle that is welcoming a new life into the world.

Although I have photographed the birth experience for others, I was extremely hesitant to have it done for me. It can be hard to tell on this blog sometimes since I dish a lot about our personal life, but I am an extremely private person. I wasn’t sure that I wanted such a personal and intimate experience to be captured and shared in that way. But I knew I might regret it if I didn’t and asked our friend (and photographer) Wynter to be there. 

As my brand new baby lay on the other side of the room with nurses and daddy tending to her, I saw Wynter snapping away and was forever grateful that she was capturing the first moments of my baby’s life — moments I wasn’t able to experience until now.


The Birth of Ava Elizabeth from Wynter Pate on Vimeo.


Of course I have to say a huge thank you to Wynter for being part of this experience and doing such an amazing job. (Head over to her blog to see her thoughts on the experience.) We are in awe over the beautiful slideshow she created from the day, and words cannot express how much it means to me to have our daughter’s birth documented in such a beautiful way. Thanks Wynter! We love you!


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by Amanda

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sherry - So beautiful… what a Treasure to have. She did a really good job and so did yall.!April 26, 2011 – 8:29 am

Christy - OK so I just completely balled my eyes out in front of everyone at work. This is so amazing! Absolutely beautiful. I hope you will do this for us one day.April 17, 2011 – 12:26 am

Shelley - This is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.April 11, 2011 – 2:38 pm

Brittney Laughlin - Wow guys! This is awesome! I wish I had had the foresight to do this for Jack’s birth. As you know, I deliver babies for a living and can get burnt out very easily, especially as I am nearing the end of my residency, but this slideshow just made me remember the reason why I chose my path in life! Thanks and congratulations to you both. She is beautiful!April 1, 2011 – 4:03 am

Amie Ezelle - Thank you for sharing! I just think it is so neat that you named her, Ava Elizabeth. Our sweet little Iva is actually Iva Elisabeth! How cool it that, Ava Elizabeth and Iva Elisabeth :-)March 31, 2011 – 11:44 pm

Jenn - Wow, this is so moving! And congratulations to all of you! She did an amazing job, I hope in the future I can find a photographer who will capture that big day for us!March 24, 2011 – 10:57 am

Jimmy - Congratulations Amanda!! I am so happy for the two of you :) Your baby is absolutely beautiful!!March 22, 2011 – 9:59 pm

Margaret - Amanda, those photos were breathtaking. Your little Ava is precious and I am so happy for your new family! I hope to see you soon!March 20, 2011 – 11:11 pm

Megan - Wonderful pictures, sweet songs, amazing tender moments caught forever! Congratulations Amanda!March 19, 2011 – 8:25 am

Andrea Snyder - Thanks for making me cry! Precious video. Makes me even more eager for Ruby to be here.March 19, 2011 – 7:09 am

Janel - The most beautiful experience ever! Awesome video, takes me back to the days my 2 little girls were born and found myself tearing up as I watched. Congratulations!March 18, 2011 – 7:17 pm

Katie - I just watched it again! Finn wants me to “tell Ms. Amanda to be careful with that baby, because babies are ‘fragical’” …..in case you didn’t know.March 18, 2011 – 6:29 pm

Heather Campbell - Congratulations Amanda!! She is so beautiful! I know that you are so happy that you had Wynter do this for you. She was able to capture all the raw emotions of this day and it’s just amazing! I cried from start to finish. Wishing you guys all the best!March 17, 2011 – 1:44 pm

Rossi - The photos of you hugging your mom your dad brought tears to my eyes. Ava’s tiny hands and feet are my favorite pics! She is beautiful, Amanda. Can’t wait to meet her in person soon!March 17, 2011 – 12:51 pm

Kristi - Oh my, Wynter did a fantastic job! I immediately started crying just at the pictures and knowing what a beautiful perfect moment that is for you two and that new baby girl! She is just perfect and I cannot wait to meet her! May the Lord continue to bless each day of her precious little life! :) Love to you three!March 17, 2011 – 12:39 pm

Erika - I have tears streaming down my cheeks right now. This is the sweetest video, Amanda, and I really needed it today since I’m fighting a rotten day of pregnancy sickness. Thank you for sharing the video…everything you go through is completely worth it when you see your baby’s face for the first time. Ava is one lucky little girl! Congrats!!!!March 17, 2011 – 12:39 pm

Jennifer - So beautiful! I can’t wait to see her and both of ya’ll!March 17, 2011 – 11:16 am

Allison - Wow! What a beautiful video! You will definitely cherish this forever!!March 17, 2011 – 7:58 am

Crystal Young - Having a baby is one of the most awesome experances in the world and you have beautiful pictures to remember it all! We are so excited for you and Allen! LOVE YOU SO MUCH!March 16, 2011 – 8:03 pm

Maggie - The photos were all beautiful. Wynter did an amazing job. I can’t wait to meet Ava. She looks beautiful in all her pictures. I love the one of you and your dad. Something about seeing all three of you made me tear up big time!March 16, 2011 – 7:56 pm

kari - That picture of you giving your mom a hug before the birth totally GOT ME!!! I cried from there until the end. :) So sweet — all of it.March 16, 2011 – 7:37 pm

Ravyn & Jimmy - Wynter did such an amazing job capturing the day. That slideshow brings tears to my eyes … I am so happy for you!March 16, 2011 – 4:37 pm

Allen - Thanks so much Wynter for being there with us and capturing the moment. I can’t watch the darn thing because I tear up everytime, so I have not watched it again :) But I love it and thank you again— anyone having a baby should seriously consider this—there is no price you can put on the emotion and feeling of re-living your child’s birth. Awesome!March 16, 2011 – 3:18 pm

Brittani - Moving is the perfect way to describe that! How amazing, so beautiful, so much emotion, and so exciting. Congrats on your addition, she is just gorgeous and it’s so incredible to have such a sweet reminder of her arrival :)March 16, 2011 – 1:22 pm

Holly - so, SO incredibly beautiful….moving…. awwww, wynter captured the emotion of it all PERFECTLY. what a treasure. happy 1-week, ava! :)))March 16, 2011 – 12:36 pm

robin - AMANDA!!! I started crying at the picture of you and your mother, and didn’t stop for the rest of the vide!!! It is perfect. Wynter did such an amazing job!March 16, 2011 – 12:00 pm

Shelia - Whoops, I forgot to say THANK YOU!!! to Wynter. The video captured the beauty of the entire experience. Such a great job.March 16, 2011 – 11:33 am

sheree - Thank you Amanda and Allen for sharing this amazing miracle by way of Wynter’s talent with us. I am at work and keep pulling my eyelids down so no one will ask why I’m crying! A precious keepsake to smile at whenever we want to re-watch. Ava is already a special blessing in all of our lives.March 16, 2011 – 11:30 am

Amy Frith - Oh my word, I just sat here and boo-hooed my eyes out!!! What an incredible visual story. I could see every single emotion on yours, Allen’s, and the family’s faces. Thank you so much for sharing that with all of us! Absolutely amazing!March 16, 2011 – 11:27 am

Gail - This is BEYOND beautiful Amanda! Congrats again to you and Allen and that new bundle of joy! Wynter did an AMAZING job!March 16, 2011 – 11:12 am

Shelia - Oh my Goodness, my hands are shaking while I am trying to type this,plus the tears rolling from mine and your Dad’s eyes. We feel so special to have been a part of Ava’s birth. She is truly a beautiful baby. I can’t wait to teach her to cook with me and then go fishing with her Papa and Daddy! We love you all three so much!!March 16, 2011 – 11:11 am

Coe - So beautiful!! Happy One Week Birthday Ms. Ava! You have an incredible family!!!March 16, 2011 – 11:01 am

Ashley - Amanda and Allen, my eyes immediately filled with tears when i started watching this! Wynter did an amazing job and I so glad you shared this. Ava Pair is a lucky baby girl to have you guys as parents and i know yall feel so very blessed to have her!! Congratulations!! I love you guys!!March 16, 2011 – 11:01 am

Jenna - So beautiful! The pics of you with tears in your eyes are what really got me!March 16, 2011 – 10:32 am

Shannon - WOW!!!!!That’s all I can say =)March 16, 2011 – 10:17 am

Tina - Tears. Rolling. Down. My. Cheeks. I’m so glad you had a photographer there, it was so beautiful to watch the slideshow!March 16, 2011 – 10:16 am

Deb - Oh my. Thank you Wynter for this treasure. I was not prepared for the emotions your photos and video brought and I am happy you were a part of Ava’s birthday.March 16, 2011 – 10:16 am

Jessi D - Probably the sweetest video I have ever seen. Congratulations!!March 16, 2011 – 10:12 am

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