A New Life Begins Today

Robert Watcher · #1 July 23rd, 2010, 11:14 PM

We were so excited to be able to enjoy the exciting entrance into the world - of our 4'th grandchild "Oakley Gabriella".

Our youngest son Ryan (who I recently completed the music video for) and his wife Ashley, were so thrilled to have the identity of their first child - revealed to them at around 10:00 this morning. Ryan sobbed with tears upon finding out that it was a "girl" nestled inside Ashley's womb for the past 9 months. A girl was what he was hoping for.

Ryan and Ashley invited us (Anne and I and our children and grandchildren - as well as Ashleys mother father and sister) into the birthing room, about 20 minutes after Oakley's arrival. She was bright eyed, strong and beautiful and I was prepared and ready to capture HD footage and still images of the goings on, with my Olympus E-PL1 with kit lens attached - as well as some natural light stills with my Olympus E-3 with 50mm f2 macro attached.

A new family - portrait taken about 1/2 hour after the birth.
Olympus E-PL1 with 14-42 @ 33mm : f6.3@1/50'th sec : 3200 ISO

My grandson Mason was capturing still images with my E-3 and 50mm f2 lens - while I was shooting the video and stills with the E-PL1
Olympus E-PL1 with 14-42 @ 14mm : f6.3@1/40'th sec : 800 ISO

Proud uncle Robert (our oldest son) with Ryan watching on. Love this shot!
Olympus E-PL1 with 14-42 @ 14mm : f6.3@1/30'th sec : 640 ISO

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Robert Watcher · #2 July 23rd, 2010, 11:14 PM

An overview of the room right after we arrived.
Olympus E-PL1 with 14-42 @ 14mm : f6.3@1/40'th sec : 800 ISO

Ryan holding her small feet in his hands as she was being weighed.
Olympus E-3 with 50mm f2 macro : f2.8@1/80'th sec : 1250 ISO

This is a shot that Anne and I have taken of each of our grandchildren. They are framed and displayed together in our home. There are now 2 with Anne's hands and 2 (including this one) with my hands. This shot was taken a few hours later when we returned.
Olympus E-3 with 50mm f2 macro : f2.8@1/125'th sec : 640 ISO

Upon leaving to give Ashley some rest, I asked her to tuck in close to Oakley for a few closeups. There are a couple of the shots from this series that are probably better than this one - - - but I love the way she spontaneously tucked her face in to kiss her baby in this one.
Olympus E-3 with 50mm f2 macro : f2.8@1/125'th sec : 800 ISO

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Streetshooter · #3 July 23rd, 2010, 11:57 PM

Rob,
Bless you and your growing family.
Thanks for sharing this very special event with us.
Don

BBW · #4 July 24th, 2010, 12:59 AM

Thank you Robert, these are all so touching and lovely. Congratulations upon the birth of your newest granddaughter Oakley and to your son and his beautiful wife. The love is as clear as day.

They're so lucky to have you, your wife and your family there with them.

Brian Mosley · #5 July 24th, 2010, 01:24 AM

Robert, it simply doesn't get better than this... thank you so much for sharing this joyful event with us, and congratulations on your beautiful photography here

Cheers

Brian