Sweetheart Photography

Back in May, my friend Ashley Gardner, asked me if I would be willing to document their IVF journey after an 8 year struggle with infertility. No matter what the outcome, she wanted me there through every step of the process. She and her husband, Tyson, wanted to remember all they went through in their attempt to start a family and when Ashley was ready, she wanted to share these photos to raise awareness for infertility and help even one person who was struggling, too.

This "project" to document their journey became more than me just taking photos. I watched this amazing couple everyday for months through the lens of my camera and what I captured was more than I ever imagined. I watched a devoted, loving husband stand by his wife every second of the way. I watched him cry with her, laugh with her, support her emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I watched an incredible man struggle while he watched his wife endure so much. I watched a beautiful woman who always desired to be a mother and then struggled for 8 years without one positive pregnancy test, walk through those clinic doors everyday with a smile on her face, radiating faith and hope from every pore. I watched the love she had for Tyson. I watched their love grow stronger through this process and I watched their unwavering faith conquer every obstacle placed before them. I saw the desire they had to become parents and then I watched them fall in love with two little embryos. Two little embryos that would split into two sets of identical twin girls and change their lives forever.

From the very beginning when Ashley told me their story, I was invested 150%. I wanted to document EVERYTHING. I wanted them to have the perfect story with the perfect ending and even though I knew there was chance it could end in dissapointment, I wanted them to have the journey photos they had dreamed of. Little did I know God had an even bigger plan in store!

Somewhere along the way, their life became a huge part of mine. I feel like we became family. I always knew they were amazing, but I actually got to experience just how amazing they really are. They never complained, they never gave up, they never let the struggle get the best of them. Instead, they grew together in love and faith. They allowed themselves to accept that the journey wasn't perfect and it didn't work out how they had originally planned, but this was their story and to them, it WAS perfect.

The day they opened the envelope that revealed if they were pregnant or not, is a day I will never, ever forget. I wish I could relive that day again! The emotions were intense, they were so raw and pure. If you ever wondered what it would be like to truly feel the Savior's love and embrace, I imagine it would be somewhat like that. It was such an intimate and special experience and it was an honor to be there in that moment.

Ashley was beyond nervous to open the envelope, but she finally took the card out and placed it upside down on her lap. She kept hesitating, placing her hand on the edge of the card, ready to flip it over, taking deep breath after deep breath, mentally preparing herself for whatever response was written on the other side. Those were the last few moments they would hold on to the hope that had pushed them through their journey. They were already on the verge of tears, I could see it in their eyes through my lens. And then, she flipped it over...

I have to be honest, the first minutes were rough for me. Tyson threw his head back, Ashley put her hand over her mouth and then together they started crying and embraced each other. I couldn't tell if they were tears of joy or tears of heartbreak. My hands were shaking, my palms were sweating, it took everything inside of me to hold it together to get those photos, anticipating what I would say or do when the answer was finally revealed to me. When Ashley turned the card towards me and I read the words, "POSITIVE", I was overcome with emotion. This incredible couple was finally pregnant! I will never be able to truly understand how Tyson and Ashley felt in that particular moment, but being there with them, I knew it meant everything. I don't say that lightly or as a figure of speech, but in every literal sense of the word. Everything they had had suffered for eight long years, everything they had sacrificed financially, physically and otherwise, was worth it for that one moment alone.

There are no words to accurately describe how Tyson and Ashley have changed my life. They make me want to be better and do better. I want to be the kind of wife that Ashley is, so full of love and gratitude. I want to possess even half the strength and courage that she does. I want to be a support system for my husband, like Tyson is for Ashley, and I want him to feel adored and appreciated in the ways that I know Ashley feels that from Tyson, too. Seeing the process of IVF and knowing so many wonderful women and couples are doing it just to try for a baby, makes me so humbled and so grateful for the gift of motherhood that's been given to me through three beautiful children.

I have never met a couple more faithful or more deserving of this precious blessing. Those four little girls are going to be the luckiest little girls on earth. I have been inspired by this couple in every aspect of my daily life.

There are so many wonderful moments from this journey, I could probably write a novel!! I am so glad we took these pictures! The world has now been given the chance to watch their story through my eyes, through the photos I was able to capture, all because Tyson and Ashley were willing to share these intimate moments of their life to help others. I know they have touched the hearts and lives of many because of it.

You can check out their IVF Journey video here:

https://vimeo.com/103804673