Sarah Mahen Photographers

I had the amazing experience of photographing the birth of David Michael on Monday evening. Seriously, I can’t even find words for how completely and totally astounding it was to be there for such an amazing time in the life of my dear friends. David didn’t seem to want to be born and was hanging on by his toenails all day long. Then all the sudden Bethany went from thinking we were going to be up all night to pushing! Because my daughter was born via c-section, and I was knocked out for it I have never experienced a birth before. There are honestly no words to describe how amazing it all was. David was born at 7:55pm weighing in at 7lbs 8oz, and 19 inches long.

Shortly after I left, David was taken to the NICU with respiratory problems. He had been cold, and was doing these little grunt noises pretty constantly. Somehow he got an infection and it turned into pneumonia all in a few short hours. He was taken from Mercy General to Mercy San Juan where he will be for the rest of the week. I just got off the phone with his mom and she tells me he is getting better and things are looking bright. When I got the phone call that this beautiful baby boy with a full head of curly blonde hair had fallen ill, my heart just broke. But I can’t tell you how grateful I am that I got to be a part of his birth, to photograph him as he joined his family. I can’t wait for him to come home and we can do his infant portraits. He is a special little man, and already I feel blessed to know him. He has changed me, he has made me grasp just how important my job is, and how important it is that I use my talent to help those in need.

Our love and prayers go out to David and his family. He has been in my mind and heart all day and night. I am so grateful to his parents for letting me take part in this amazing event in their lives, and for being such faithful and astounding people. You have blessed my life beyond measure.

Holy cow do these ladies know how to party! Lisa and Gretchen had a BEAUTIFUL wedding on Saturday at Stanford Oaks Estates in Durham, CA. We started the day at Lisa’s parents house taking pictures of Lisa and her sisters getting ready. Lisa’s dad has AMAZING cars, and pulled out his ’57 Chevy Impala. Holy cow that car was stunning! It was such a blast taking pictures of Lisa and her sisters with it. Then we headed over to the venue to photograph Gretchen getting ready. I can’t even tell you how much beautiful everything and everyone was. The flowers were so amazing! And both Lisa and Gretchen looked so elegant. The ceremony was tender and so personal. I was one of the many who had tears in their eyes as Lisa and Gretchen married each other. It was so lovely.

After pictures in the vineyard and around the beautiful grounds, Lisa and Gretchen greeted their guests and got the party started! It was a beautiful night with lots of love all over the place.

click on the image below to start the slide show

Thank you to Lisa and Gretchen and their amazing family and friends for letting us have a total blast at your amazing wedding! We are so happy for you!

Perfect, amazing and beautiful don’t even begin to describe how we feel about our wedding, about being married and how we feel about the pictures. You were wonderful! Lisa saw the slideshow first because I was away from the house and she called me crying when she first saw them. Then she called everyone she knows! They (and you) have already totally surpassed our expectations and dreams of what we wanted our pictures to be. We will cherish them forever!