I am not entirely sure how to begin this blog.  I suppose I should start with the back story on Maya and Nazmi and how we got connected. 

     I have already shared in Maya’s maternity session that Maya and Nazmi had faced the suffering of a miscarriage once before. That propelled them into having a positive attitude rather than letting such a tragic experience break them. When they discovered they were pregnant a second time, of course the fear of a second miscarriage was there, but they had prayed and planned and hoped for this child. Their doctor, Helen, welcomed them with good news at all of their appointments and Maya was able to go (almost) Full-Term with their precious daughter, Una Lou. 

   The name they picked out for their baby girl is special to them. It symbolizes togetherness and oneness. Her nursery-which is photographed in my blog from their maternity session-was custom made specifically for Una. Each aspect has a meaning. This child was greatly loved even before she was born. 

Now, the way I got in contact with Maya was through my good friend Morgan of MorganJoy Photography-Go check her out! Maya had originally inquired with Morgan but Morgan was no longer in the area (because she left me to move to Indiana!) so Morgan referred her to me. Maya and I decided to meet for coffee and discuss our visions for meeting her needs. 

Maya said to me “I have tried other photographers, and while they were good, I want someone who has similar values and can grow with us as a family.”- of which I was ecstatic because I felt connected to Maya immediately! 

Maya is the owner of U&I Boutique in Mobile and Auburn. She and her husband both share incredible stories of overcoming hardships and defeating the odds. They are most definitely two of the most in-love people I have come into contact with. Being around them makes you want to be the best you that you can be. Better than that even. 

As far as how Una Lou came into the world… 

I received a text from Maya one morning asking when it was that I was heading to South Florida to shoot a wedding. I let her know the info and she proceeded to let me know that she had just gone into the doctors office for a check up and that the doctor found that Una’s amniotic fluid was low and that they were proposing a scheduled c-section. She said they would keep me updated and they weren’t sure when the c-section would be set for. Later that afternoon while I was cleaning the house, I got a phone call. THE phone call. They had ended up being admitted to the hospital to monitor Maya because her blood pressure had spiked and they weren’t sure what was going on. They had decided to go ahead and plan the c-section for that afternoon at 4. 

I called my mother-in-law and asked if she could pick up Chloe because I had to head to the hospital. She picked her up, I made my way to the hospital, and the pictures will tell the rest! 

I am so happy for your new family, Maya and Nazmi! 

Welcome to the world baby Una!