A fresh 48 session is done within the first 48 hours after your baby is born. Typically done in the hospital room to capture your first few hours/days with your brand new baby. A baby changes so quickly, this is your chance to still capture your first days together without hiring a photographer for the actual birth. Sometimes baby’s bath can be postponed and done during your fresh 48 session as well. Delaying babies first bath is actually becoming highly recommended.  New sisters and brothers can meet baby during this time as well as the rest of your family! This gives  Mom and Dad a chance to rest right after baby is born, and possibly even shower and put on that cute new robe that will look adorable in photos I am in love with fresh 48 sessions… day light is GORGEOUS. Trust me. I can move and position baby and pose all while everything still happens naturally. This time is such a blur for families, document it.

So here’s the deal, these sessions are priced at 600.00. including all images and video clips. You may add on a slideshow for an additional 150.00. However, I really really want to push for more fresh 48 sessions, SO for now, Fresh 48 sessions will be given at a discounted price of 500.00 including slideshow. That’s a big deal.

Click the link below to book.

Book here

Here is the link! babycenter.com

Back on track… I hired an assistant, purchased a custom made logo for fresh re-branding of my business and in the works of a small studio space in my home. Complete with a barn wood wall. I would say that blessed is an understatement.

In 2015 I have learned to say NO. It’s hard. I love my people and I hate to turn anyone away. BUT. In order to not burn myself and resent my job, I have finally learned to say no. So, in 2016 please don’t take it personally. I have set a number of sessions per month I will take on, including births. I am planning on taking on two sessions per month free of cost to those in need. I really do love to give my services as a gift to those I love, I wish I could make a living to provide for my family by just giving and helping. Unfortunately we all know that’s just not possible

Personally this year, I have learned that LOVE IS a choice. You choose to love those around you regardless of their imperfections. Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. and then its amazing again. and in between the amazing and the awful, it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful. -L.R. Knost.

Anyway, thank you for 2015! Happy New Year.

I took most of December OFF. I was able to enjoy every single second of every day off and not worry about being on-call! It was glorious   My Mom and I took my sweet baby girl to her very first Nutcracker ballet and a “fancy dinner” beforehand. Complete with a new dress, sparkly shoes and I even curled her hair. My heart may have fluttered a little as I stood there and curled her hair. We’ve had family and friends Christmas parties. Our annual girls Christmas party was so much fun too! We made gingerbread houses, visited the Alum creek lights, school Christmas parties and programs, wrestling matches, sleepover with friends, and visits with Santa, you name it. It’s been  an exciting month for sure!

Cheers to 2015, here’s to 2016!

Thank you all for making my year the most successful yet! Thank you for following my work and supporting my dreams. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and have happy New Year!

Eliana’s memorial video that was played during her memorial service:

This slideshow is one that Matthew Eliana’s Daddy asked me to make for Naomi as a surprise.

eliana (matthew slideshow) from Sarah Shambaugh on Vimeo.

If you can make somebody happy, do it. The world needs more of that.

Perfectly said. Talk about the most selfless gift a woman could ever give. Emily and Gwen are both sonographers in a local doctors office together. After being friends for years, Emily  stepped up became the gestational carrier for Joe and Gwen, also known as the Intended Parents (IP). Baby Paxton was a  frozen embryo from September 2014.

**A surrogacy arrangement or surrogacy agreement is the carrying of a pregnancy or intended parents. There are two main types of surrogacy, gestational surrogacy (also known as host or full surrogacy)  and traditional surrogacy (also known as partial, genetic, or straight surrogacy). In gestational surrogacy, the pregnancy results from the transfer of an embryo created by In Vetro Fertilization  (IVF), in a manner so the resulting child is genetically unrelated to the surrogate. Gestational surrogates are also referred to as gestational carriers. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is impregnated naturally or artificially, but the resulting child is genetically related to the surrogate. In the United States, gestational surrogacy is more common than traditional surrogacy.**

These two sonographers were some how able to keep from cheating, and kept the gender a surprise! I have no idea how they did it

Dr. Costa was phenomenal, she had Gwen help deliver her baby, cut the cord, do skin-to-skin, and had her completely involved in her baby’s delivery. Momma announced to everyone, “it’s a BOY!” Tears were flowing, the room was full of love, smiles and laughter. Not a dry eye in the room. Not one face without a huge smile. I have never been in such a heartwarming delivery!

Here is a glimpse into baby Paxtons journey into our world!

It’s a…..

BOY!!!!

Then she sends me this…

I was beyond happy for her. They SO deserved this. I prayed and hoped for a beautifully healthy pregnancy for her, and then I prayed I would make it down to Tennessee for her birth. I was SO nervous.  I didn’t want to miss this. I wanted so bad to be there for her. She planned an all natural birth and to labor at home for as long as possible. Did I mention how nervous I was that I would miss this? Ah. Nerve wracking!

The last week in July came around… I was leaving for vacation August 1st so we both began to panic lol.  A few days later, Hayley text me and says she thinks its the beginning signs of labor. After a few hours and timing contractions, she was pretty confident this was it. I left Columbus Ohio and headed to her. its a 6 hour drive so I was hoping we timed this right. Hayley lives almost an hour away from the hospital so we met each other there when she decided it was time to head there. Talk about perfect timing…

 She labored beautifully. In fact, it was the most gorgeous labor I have ever seen. Honestly. I left this birth feeling so full

Doula Heidi – Expecting New Life Birth Services

Hayley Stell Photography

I can’t thank you enough Hayley and Matt for trusting me with Lennons Birth Day. I am so proud of both of you, congrats on your gorgeous family.

<3

Finally got a teeny tiny little smirk out of that boy

August 10th 2015. 8:14pm.

Thanks for waiting girlfriend