Helen Joy’s Photography Blog

Helen Joy George 6/5/15 Helen Joy George 6/5/15

the issitt family | savoring the season

A little part of my heart is dying. The decision to not have anymore children for many reasons has started the beginning of the end of our baby days. I know many are glad to see those days go. The sleepless nights, the constant giving of one’s self, the constant diapers and outfit changes. I am not one of them.

The newborn/baby days are my favorite. Curling around your baby in bed while you tenderly look over every tiny feature. The feeling that all they need, you can provide. I ugly cry every time I think about it. That part of my heart, few can understand or take time to give weight to the passing of this season.

Right before my baby’s first birthday, I loaded up on a ferry with 17 other women for a Wildflower’s Workshop and I met Autumn. I didn’t see a kindred spirit in her at first. I, a crazy free spirit and her, a type a planner. And then when talking about babies she cracked and I saw her beautiful heart, and I knew I just had to be friends with her. Real, true life friends. There was part of my soul that needed her and I think she felt the same.

The eve of my baby’s first birthday, I found myself in my tub, crying hysterically in grieving and joy. I found myself texting Autumn just because I knew she would know. No offered words of comfort or hope. Just a cross country hug of “I know”.

In April, I hopped on a plane to visit a friend in Phoenix Arizona and I scheduled some time to be with Autumn and her family. I just did life with them. Regular, beautiful, imperfect life. With moments of me curled up in my nest on her couch as we talked through a lifetime of pain and joys. I saw the damn of her heart burst open for me and the beauty of her without walls up.

The honor of capturing the tiny details of the end of this season for them makes me weep. The loved on blanket, the tiny chubby hand on mama’s shoulder, the chaotic mess of living life with those you love. All of it makes me weep.

Her love for her people. It is so pure. It is so awe inspiring. Her husband too. His love for his people is strong, brave and unwavering.

Autumn,

Thank you for loving me and letting me into your home. I will never forget those days on your couch, what a gift you’ve given me. Be brave my dear. I'm so thankful for someone who will go before me and let me know that it will be ok and that the next stage is beautiful too.

If I know anything in this life, it is that at the end of your life, when you are old and grey and your beautiful eyes twinkle with tears, you will be able to see the weight of your worth on this earth. You are a treasure to your family and a treasure to me.

Love your kindred spirit and blossom friend.

www.helenjoy.com

Helen Joy George 5/10/15 Helen Joy George 5/10/15

the love story of kaylee rae

This is a love story. A love story that gives birth to a dream.

This is a story of unrelenting hope and unwavering and fearless determination to live a full life even though life as it was known was swept away in an instant.

This is the story of a gift. A gift given so purely and freely. No strings attached, no ulterior motives...just pure love.

I had the honor of not only documenting this journey, but being the doula at this miraculous birth.

This is Kaylee's story.

Rachelle was a soon to be bride having fun with her friends at a pool for her bachelorette party when she suffered a freak accident and became paralyzed from the chest down. Rachelle said that her first thoughts after being injured were whether or not she would ever be able to have children. Despite the accident, Chris and Rachelle were married and soon realized that even though she could carry a child, that her chronic low blood pressure and the meds used to stabilize it would be a danger to their child, so they made the decision to pursue surrogacy. Once they posted about their decision to pursue surrogacy, Laurel, an acquaintance from college and not a close friend, immediately contacted them and offered to be their surrogate.

When I look at Rachelle, I do not see her physical limitations. When I look at her, I see the spirit of a warrior. I see in her the same fierce determination as the scoffed at adenturers who were told they were crazy for even thinking of climbing Mt Everest. When I close my eyes and think of her, I see her on top of a mountain, proud and strong. She has not let this accident take her spirit, but has instead become a beacon of light for others with spinal chord injuries or other disabilities.

She very well could have curled up in the bed and just given up long ago, but she made the decision to get up and live and live fully. That is more than many of us can say.

When I look at Laurel I see a woman with such pure and compassionate love. It pours from her and her husband and it is quite the gift to be in their presence and see the simple way they live and how selflessness plays a huge part in that. I don't find there are many people like them in this world: people who do good without looking back and without the end goal of gaining glory or praise. The way they love their son Avett gives just a glimpse of their beautiful hearts.

When Laurel heard about Rachelle's desire to have a child of her own she leaped at the chance with no reservations. A gift given with open and willing hands.

The bond between these two women was something sacred. I could sometimes see the hint of sadness in Rachelle's eyes as she watched Laurel carry her child. Her longing for those intimate moments of feeling kicks and rolls, but at the same time complete awe over the process of her journey to motherhood.

Laurel was such a key in keeping Chris and Rachelle connected throughout her pregnancy and inviting them into all of the milestone moments as Kaylee grew inside of her.

This is a love story of a man and a woman who love so deeply and so completely. They both wake up every morning and choose to be grateful for life and for one another.

After a long wait, Laurel finally started contractions about 8 am on a Sunday morning. By the time I arrived at her home she was in transition and we all headed to the hospital, I texted the nervous first time parents during the drive since they were right behind us in a separate car.

Things were a bit hurried and chaotic once we all arrived at the hospital. There was a lot going on and not a lot of time to figure out how best to support Laurel as she brought Kaylee into the world.

In the middle of all the chaos I watched as Rachelle rolled over and calmly grabbed Laurel's hand. An exchange between their eyes of excitement and yet a little bit of fear. It was moving to watch those women support each other as the hard work of labor was happening to bring the long awaited child into the world.

The second Kaylee was born the tears were flowing and in the blink of an eye I watched as Laurel finished her part and handed over the baby to her parents. A job very well done.

So much love was flowing in there. Love flowing to Laurel for her sacrifice and gift, love flowing between new parents as they grew in their love to one another. Love to the new little person that brought them all together. This journey of parenthood will not be easy. It will be many times more work than most people have to put into parenting. But Chris and Rachelle have an endless well of love to draw from and in the end, that is what matters.

www.helenjoy.com

**You can learn more and follow Rachelle and Chris here

TLC will be following their first few years of parenthood and will be debuting in December 2015. So make sure you tune in!

Helen Joy George 4/29/15 Helen Joy George 4/29/15

tina and randy | riverside elopement

On the most beautiful spring day last month, I had the honor of photographing Tina and Randy as they met by the river and pledged their lives to one another. The day was simple and incredibly tender. There was so much love there pouring out through laughter and tears.

There where moments I didn't even want to exhale because the intimacy was so thick.

How refreshing to strip down all of the "stuff" usually involved in weddings and to be left there with pure, vulnerable, selfless love.

Thank you. Thank you for trusting me to be witness to your story.