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Pure Utter Joy by Jane McCrae
If a picture says a thousand words, there is one photo that might as well be an essay on becoming a parent let alone experiencing real, unedited life. National Geographic is in week 11 of voting for photo of the year. In my early days of being home with baby, I’ve had some time to peruse. I can’t get enough of this photo.
When I saw it for the first time, it brought tears to my eyes.
Yes, the hobbyist photographer in me was smitten with the beautiful vantage point and the Ansel Adams’ zone shading. It’s visually stunning.
As a mother, I swooned.
I sat holding my newborn baby staring at the breathtaking photo. I paused. I simply love the glimpse it offers.
I was eager to share it on our social media sites, as was the author of the post in which I found it where she listed it as the photo of the year. (Note the post edit.) Fans on our facebook page shared it and commented with much the same interest.
I’ll admit I even looked back at the photos my husband and doula happily snapped just weeks ago searching for this same expression at the birth of my son. It’s simple. It’s beautiful. The midwife-turned-photographer captured it so well. On her facebook page she writes, “It’s the raw, simple moments in life that we cherish for a lifetime. I am still on a high after capturing this beautiful home waterbirth in the early hours of this morning. Women are awesome.”
When a tiny human being is placed in your arms it elicits the joy of life that is difficult to describe exactly. Snapped at such a raw moment, the expression on her face is euphoric. In it I see the challenge of giving birth, the exhaustion and utter relief, gratitude, and the rush of recognizing the present and imagining what is to be.
There is no greater joy than becoming a mother. I would like to think any woman who has been presented with a child can relate to this photo in some capacity. Please feel free to share your reaction to it in the comments. I would love to see it win.
I still sigh a week after seeing it. I’ll certainly be keeping a copy of it near my desk at Nurtured.
Reading your post has brought me to tears and I’m the women in the picture (Natalia).
A flood of emotions wash over me and my eyes well up every time I look at this picture of my first moments with my baby Estelle – my morning star – born at 5:45am on the 9.9.11. I’m so pleased that sharing this image has brought a joyful tear to so many others. Thank you for sharing how moved you are by the image.
What do you think about this picture? http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/117168/view/ I think it is equally stunning as well. I have voted for both. I thought you might like to see it if you love birth, birthing mamas, and babies.
This quote about it moved me to tears.
“National Geographic captures out imagination about nature and for many, this is their first connection to eco-mindedness and preservation. Naturally birthing women are an endangered species. Amnesty International has declared birth in the Unites States a violation of human rights for its violence against women. ACOG predicts that soon 50% of all births in the US will be by cesarean. This photograph is not only beautiful, it is important. It captures something rare. A gentle, empowered, vaginal birth. It reminds of of what we need to preserve. It is powerful, elegant, and beautiful. And as both a midwife and physician who helps bring babies into the world, it is a message that is timely and pivotal. I hope National Geographic will courageously publish this photo which depicts birth as a natural, healthy human experience and event.”