About a week and a half ago, I was contacted by a friend who asked if I’d be willing to take some maternity shots for her and her husband. But this wasn’t your typical maternity shot request. See, my friend is pregnant with a beautiful baby boy who happens to have been diagnosed with Trisomy 18.
Trisomy 18 happens when, at conception, the chromosomes of the mother and father combine in a way that makes three copies of the 18th chromosome. It’s nothing that can be prevented and nothing that the parents did wrong or could have done differently. Sometimes this just happens – in fact, it happens in roughly 1 out of 3000 live births. It’s a very serious condition and the prognosis is generally very poor. For more information on this syndrome, go to the Trisomy 18 Foundation.
So when my friend asked me for this – there was simply no way I could refuse. Am I a professional? No. Do I have experience in maternity photography? No.
BUT – if this is all I CAN do, I’d damn well give it my best shot. As in the case of a Trisomy 18 diagnosis, time was of the essence. So on this past Saturday, I took some time to go over to their house. My friend looked beautiful and her husband was a very proud papa, but there was also some grief and sadness evident. It was a touching experience and I will be forever changed from knowing these folks.
Enough rambling – here are a few of my favorites.
Frautography 
Oh Nic, these are absolutely gorgeous. I love them! I know you always say you’re not used to doing portraits, but I think you have an eye for it. My heart breaks for the parents. I can’t imagine what they’re going through.
You did a beautiful job, you can definitely feel the love in these photos. My thoughts are with them during this time.
These are beautiful. There are some smiles between the sadness, and I think these will be treasured.
What a great thing you did and what proud and brave parents – the photos are beautiful. I wish your friends the very best.
What beautiful & touching moments you captured. My heart goes out to them during this journey.
Wow, amazing pictures! I can’t even begin to imagine what they are going through, but seeing these shows how strong they are and the love they have to help eachother get through it. Many thoughts to them through this hard time.
These are great portraits for them to have. I can’t imagine what they’re going through though. If they could use some support re someone who has been there here is a link to
A local family in GA whose son was born with trisomy 18 as well.
hogandominy.blogspot.com/
Beautiful pictures. I can feel their love for each other and the baby! They’re in my thoughts.
I love love love the black and white one of just the momma. It is gorgeous.
Nic, these are beautiful! They captured the moment perfectly. What proud parents they are! They will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope they can find peace.
I love these. You can feel their love for each other in the images.
This must be a tough road they are on, but you can see that they have each other. They will be in my thoughts.
Wow, I love these – especially adore #1. They look so happy!
These are awesome. In so many ways.
There’s so much love in these photos. Great job!
What a gorgeous family. The love is so evident in your pictures.
Nic, these are gorgeous images, and you’re such an incredible friend to do this for them.
Beautiful. Leaves me speechless.