My own

It's that time of year.
I need photos to send out to friends and family.
I love photography, but I do NOT love trying to photograph my own kids.
I think everyone feels the frustration of trying to get 'nice' photos of their kids, one where they are all actually looking at the camera.
I gave up on 'nice' photos a while ago, and instead opted for real.
I like 'real' better anyway.

[Real like this - pajama pants, twisted skirt, leggings with holes, not looking at the camera, food on face....real]

When it comes time for Christmas cards though, I break out some bribes and strive for something less 'real' and more 'Christmas cardy' you know, one that says, "Hi, we're always happy, we have NO problems in the world, our kids do as we say, when we say, and look at our lovely matching clothes"
This is relatively easy to achieve with other peoples kids, not so much with your own.

I tried.
Some are nice.
Some, not so much.
Some, maybe one or two, found that beautiful balance between real, and Christmas card.

In the spirit of being real. 

We saw this little cutie while we were out.

....and we may have had a fall or two (Don't worry everyone is ok :)

Fall Crocus {Hollis, New Hampshire fine art photography}

“Gardeners know that you must nourish the soil if you want healthy plants. You must water the plants adequately, especially when seeds are germinating and sprouting, and they should be planted in a nutrient-rich soil. Why should nutrition matter less in the creation of young humans than it does in young plants? I'm sure that it doesn't.”  -Ina May

Unfortunately for me, it wasn't until after being diagnosed with preeclampsia during my second pregnancy, that I truly appreciated the need for proper nutrition in pregnancy.

Improving Birth

What a way to spend labor day!

     

    

   

   

improving birth

With two c-sections (the first being unnecessary, the second being life saving), and a VBA2C, I see a great need for evidence based maternity care.
(see my vba2c story here)

C-Sections can be great, they can save lives, and they most certainly have a place in our health care system. The problem is, they are being over used. 

A less then ideally positioned baby does not NEED to be sectioned. 

A labor that doesn't follow Friedmans curve, should not automatically go to c-section, 

or even automatically be given pitocin. 

A  mother in labor on a Friday afternoon should not be sectioned to keep the 

doctor from missing his tee time 

(No, I don't think this is a leading cause of c/s but I do believe that it happens from time to time). 

And most certainly a mom should not be sectioned simply because she has 

had a previous c-section.

 The bottom line is, too many health care providers are losing sight of evidence based care, and moving into a 'one size fits all' approach to maternity care and labor and delivery care, which is leading to far too many c-sections. 

On Monday Sep 3rd, Labor day.

I'll be joining moms across the country,

rallying at hospitals,

reminding doctors that maternity care is NOT one size fits all.

We need evidence based care for all mothers.

See if there is a rally near you, and consider joining us....

http://www.improvingbirth.org

Portfolio Building

Currently offering 'New in town' specials on all photo shoots, contact me for details!

Offering deeply discounted sessions for portfolio building, in the areas of, 

BIRTH, NEWBORN, & BREASTFEEDING.

Please contact me for more information at maria.cain2@gmail.com

contact me

Please contact me with any questions.

maria.cain2@gmail.com

(612)570-0861

Baby E {Long Prairie, MN birth photography}

S family {St. Cloud, MN family photography}

** White Coral Photography was previously known as 'Maria Cain Photography' in Minnesota**

About me

It started with an old black and white photograph of my dad, as a high school student, standing on a chair in the snow taking a photograph of something on the ground. 

He was working on a project for his high school photography class, and I thought it looked fun.
Three of my brothers went on to take high school photography before me, so it was only natural that I should do the same. For years, it was the highlight of my day.

Finding new, creative ways to photograph the every day, swishing chemicals around to develop the film and finally, watching your photo come to life in the dark room. 

I was hooked.

After graduating, and loosing access to a dark room, I wasn't sure what to do with my passion.

I continued taking photos, because, well, I just couldn't stop, but without developing my own film I felt like I was being robbed of so much of the create process.

During this time, many people were beginning to make the switch to digital photography, it felt like my photographic world was going to end! I was stubborn, holding on, with a death grip, to my precious film. 

They took my dark room away, but there was no way anyone would take my film away!

Then one day it happened. 

I was introduced to photoshop. All that creativity taking place in the dark room, was available to me again in photoshop. Once again, I felt complete as a photographer, having control of the entire process. 

Meanwhile, In 2007 I was planning for the birth of my first child. I spent countless hours researching and preparing for a natural unmedicated birth. Around 35 weeks my plans were suddenly threatened when I learned she was breech. I started trying everything to turn her, and looking for a doctor who would deliver her if she didn't turn. She didn't turn and no one would deliver her breech. I gave her all the time I could, but when my water broke at 37 weeks, the game was over, and I went in for a c-section. It was pretty crushing at the time, but it started me on a path that has led to where I am today. Fast forward to 2009 as I prepared for my second child. More countless hours researching and preparing for a natural vbac. All this time learning about how birth works, and what we are capable of, is growing my passion for birth. 33 weeks hits, and I'm diagnosed with preeclampsia. Within 24 hours of diagnosis, my placenta was dying, my son's heart rate was dropping and he had to be taken out. Again, it was crushing. All that time, all that passion, and I didn't even get the chance to feel one single contraction. My fire burned stronger though, fueled by my ever growing passion for natural birth. Nearly three years later, I was given another chance. More time, more passion, and more motivation then ever.

 I made it, a week past due, I felt every single contraction and pushed my largest baby out!

Words cannot even begin to describe the feelings of accomplishment, and joy that came with my son that December morning. 

I tell you all of this because this birth journey has led me to be the photographer I am striving to be today. 

With a  recent move, I was questioning if I really wanted to continue photography. I was feeling 'called' to pursue something with birth, but I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do, anything 'medical' was not up my ally. 

After much thought and contemplation I found that birth photography was a perfect merge of my two greatest passions. 

Still working with families, and babies of all ages, for now,

 but working on moving my focus to primarily maternity, birth and newborns. 

G family {Hudson, WI family photography}

Waiting on #2 {Lakeville, MN maternity photography}