Beiträge

Wish of A Lifetime – Documentary Photography of a Family visiting the Trinity Site, New Mexico and remembering husband, dad and uncle Sam Levy –

The organization ‚Wish of A Lifetime‘, contacted me a few weeks ago to ask me if I would be able to create a family’s memories visiting the Trinity Site in New Mexico. The Trinity Site is the place where the first atomic bomb was tested on July 16, 1945. Jo Byrnes (90 years old) last wish was to visit the site where her former husband and dad of her daughters, Sam Levy, was with 17 years the youngest volunteer assigned to the crew that attended the explosion of the first Atomic Bomb in New Mexico.  „He was one of the 500 soldiers who camped of the perimeter of the Trinity Site and were ordered to rise and stand attention when the bomb was being prepared for detonation. Their campsite was about 9 miles out from Ground Zero, the epicenter of the explosion of the bomb. Sam Levy and the entire crew were prepared to give the ultimate sacrifice as they carried out their orders. The atomic age was born, Eureka. All men on this maneuver did survive the explosion physically.“ (letter from Jo Byrnes to Wish of a Lifetime). Later, they found out that Sam Levy like many others from the crew suffered post traumatic stress disorder and many of these men died sooner than their life expectancy.
Sam Levy, Jr. gained his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts at University of Denver. He was only 59 years old when he died in August 1984.
Now, almost 71 years after the Manhattan Project, Sam Levy’s wife, Jo and their daughters, Susan and Lori as well as their nice, came to the Trinity Site to understand their family background that was alway a part of their lives. Wish of A Lifetime made it possible. And I was privileged to create these memories for their family.
On April 02, 2016, many people visited the site. At 1 pm we met Jo, her daughters and her nice at ‚Ground Zero‘. When we arrived at the monument, Joe and Susan were standing in front of a photograph showing the group of volunteers including Joe’s husband. They could not believe that they found a picture that was showing him at his young age of 17 years. I and Greg Easthouse, who did the videography, stayed with the family and found out many, many more interesting things about the Manhattan Project and their family. Suddenly, we were part of the story. At the McDonald Ranch, we found another image showing the group of volunteers including Sam. Everybody was overwhelmed by this dramatic story.
Thank you ‚Wish of A Lifetime‘ for including me in this amazing project. And thank you to Jo and her family who welcomed us like family members. We will never forget this day.
[justified_image_grid ng_gallery=9]

Lillian Loraine – A Home Birth in Alamogordo, NM – by Karina Schuh Photography

I got to know Tabitha about a month before her due date. Little Lillian Loraine was expected on March 19th. Her three brothers were very excited that they will get a little baby sister now. Unfortunately, Steven, Tabitha’s husband, has to serve abroad and will not be back with his family until June 2016. But look at the images, he was with them over the iPad during the whole time. Only sometimes, we forgot to move the iPad and he did not see his little princess.
Therefore, the decision to hire a birth photographer was even more important. The plan was to stay with her mom, a nurse at the delivery station at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, during labor and then deliver at the hospital.

On March 21st, at 2 a.m. I received a phone call from Tabitha to join them in two hours at her parents home. So, I set my alarm and tried to sleep a little without success. At about 3 a.m. I received another phone call from her dad telling me that the baby has already arrived. Little Lillian was born at 2.52 a.m. on March 21st. When I arrived at her parents house a few minutes later, the kids were already up and watching their little baby sister. Tabitha was sitting in the bath tub holding her fresh baby in her arms, overwhelmed by such a fast delivery. I did not want to miss it at all but they told me that everything went so fast that even her mom almost miss the birth of little Lilian because she went to get water for her daughter.

In the meantime, Tabitha’s sister with her two girls arrived. Everybody was super happy and helpful and just enjoyed the new family member. Check out their images. I think this birth story is amazing. Every woman wishes to deliver fast without pain.

Tabitha and her baby felt very well from the beginning. At 7 a.m. in the morning we went to the hospital to get the check ups for Tabitha and the little princess.

Thank you Tabitha and family that I was chosen as your birth photographer. I am very honored for being part of your birth story. Your family is amazing and I really felt like home!

[justified_image_grid ng_gallery=8]

The different faces of a little girl – documentary photography of a little girl playing – Portrait Photography in New Mexico

During a family session with visitors from Germany, this little girl just needed to play and have fun all by herself.

As little kids are very impatient during a photo session, what is absolutely normal, I always do the posed family pictures right at the beginning and go over to a documentary photography style while the kids are playing and having fun. I am patient and try to motivate them.

Look by yourself at little Amy’s different gestures and faces ;-).  I absolutely loved creating these memories that they will never forget.

[justified_image_grid ng_gallery=5]