A Surrogate Story | Back Bay Boston Photographer

by | Sep 1, 2018 | latest sessions, newborn

Back Bay Boston Cara Soulia Photography

As a Boston baby photographer, I am blessed with meeting so many parents and hearing so many stories. Libby & Jeff are two of the strongest people I have ever met. Sessions like this one change your outlook on life because you see two people who have been through so much and continue to be amazingly positive and happy. Libby told me, before I met them during their Back Bay newborn session, that their baby was being delivered via surrogate. I did not know their backstory at the time, and did not realize that both of their babies were delivered via surrogate.

Soon after I arrived at their session, Libby told me she had also just been through cancer and chemotherapy. She shares her unexpected journey to parenthood on her website, “Our Pea in her Pod.” Libby started Our Pea in Her Pod as a resource to support others who are going through similar challenges. As a Boston child and family photographer, I have heard many stories of how couples become parents. While newborn sessions are always beautiful, the journey to parenthood sometimes can be painful and heartbreaking. Reading through this mother’s story is so moving! Her heartfelt posts mixed with joy and pain is such a wonderful resource to other women who hope that someday someone will call them “Mommy.”

Back Bay Boston Photographer

I have been photographing Boston families for almost a decade and I love at home newborn sessions the most. It is so amazing to meet all different kinds of people, hear their unique stories and photograph them at home in their element. I try to capture their real life in an artistic and natural way. Meeting up in Jeff and Libby’s Back Bay home with their two beautiful children was such a privilege. I love how Libby and Jeff connect. You can see how much love they have for each other.

Back Bay Boston Cara Soulia Photography

As the family anticipated little Grace’s arrival, they set up a little “shrine.” It includes pictures of her in utero when as she was growing! I thought it was such a wonderful, loving way to commemorate those months when Grace was growing.

Back Bay Boston Cara Soulia Photography

The wonderful surrogate mother who carried Grace for Jeff and Libby crocheted two outfits as a gift to baby Grace. But what an unbelievable gift to carry a baby for another woman. And then to make her outfits by hand, too? There are such amazing people in this world.

Back Bay Boston Cara Soulia Photography

Because grace is a ‘rainbow baby,’ Mom bought this blanket after she suffered a several miscarriages. It was special to her to have this image of Grace wrapped in this blanket. A dream come true, a wish fulfilled, Grace is truly a perfect name for this little miracle.

Back Bay Boston Cara Soulia Photography

Photographing families in their own home allows everyone to be themselves. That’s what creates some of the most fun, unplanned moments!  The images of Garrison and Grace together on the bed are so sweet.

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And I love this image where Garrison decided it was time to jump on the bed! The whole family is together with genuine smiles on their faces. They deserve all this happiness after everything they have been through. This one shining moment captures so much love of who they all are today.  Mom and Dad, their two beautiful children, and all the family photos in the background from their history that brought them to this moment.  Priceless. This is probably my favorite image of the day.

Back Bay Boston Cara Soulia Photography

It was hard to narrow down my favorite images from this family session, because I was so moved by their special story. It was such a joy to be able to photograph them in this family session. Thank you, Jeff and Libby, for giving me the honor. I am so pleased to share your blog and your images here today.

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Cara Soulia is a Back Bay Boston Photographer who specializes in capturing families at home in a natural and beautiful way.