Every so often, I photograph a family whose story sticks with me long after the session is over. Not because of the photos themselves, but because of the people… and what they’ve walked through to get to that moment.
I want this post to be mostly their words, because no one can tell their daughter’s story better than they can. But before you read it, I just want to say this: being trusted with moments like these is something I never take lightly. It’s an honor to be invited into someone’s world—especially when their story holds this much love and heartbreak.
This family let me be part of a chapter that means everything to them, even in the smallest way. And I’m grateful for that.
*Amariee was our first pregnancy. She filled our lives with more joy than we could ever explain. Completely unexpected yet so perfect. We were over the moon excited for her && the life we would build together.
At 20 weeks we went in for an ultrasound && found she had what’s called isolated micronathia. Meaning she had an undersized jaw, which later after delivery could cause complications with her breathing, eating && swallowing. My husband && I were scared when we found this out…no one ever expects this kind of news. We were then referred to a specalist where we would spend almost every 2 weeks running ultrasounds && NST’s. The specalist then told us that she was underdeveloped, her jaw issue may be correlated to her brain development && that we should get a fetal MRI. My husband && I took a while to discuss this as we felt we were doing everything by the doctors book && we felt she had undergone a lot already. But we decided against our better judgment && wanted to protect her, so we had the fetal MRI done. It came back with results we were so grateful for. Everything looked great.
My husband than at 36 weeks asked the specalist if we should induce early as there were “all these complications.” The specalist told us everything was fine && so he traveled to Oregon for work. I then had another specalist apt && a regular OB appointment && everything seemed fine…then I woke up one morning, called my husband && told him something didnt feel right. I raced to the emergency room where I was told the worst news any parent should ever hear. They told me she had no heartbeat. I screamed a screm you could never imagine. My heart dropped. In that moment I was flooded with emotions. I kept screaming why God? Why me? Why my little girl? I then had to deliver the news to my husband who now had to fly home as soon as he could && in complete shock && heartbroken. All I wanted was my husband && all He wanted was to be there for me.
Our girl was gone. There was nothing we could do anymore. 9 months of full preparation, picking out the cutest outfits she will never wear, decorating a nursery she will never sleep in, preparing for all the walks && trips we would take. && in an instant all of it was taken from us.
We were blessed however. We spent 2 days in the hospital && held her close for as long as we could. We then again got to see her at the funeral home before she was cremated && i will never forget the day I had to say goodbye. It still taunts me. I just wanted to take her home with me && I knew I couldn’t. I prayed there was something I could do to change our circumstances. This poor, innocent soul that was ripped from our arms && our lives.
We questioned && still question what actually happened. So often this isnt talked about. Pregnancy loss of any kind is hard. But im here to forever share my baby’s story. To carry on her legacy && share with the world how beautiful she is && the difference she made in our lives. Amariee Ira Khopade, you will forever be loved, forever be missed && forever carried in our hearts.*
Thank you to this family for letting me share a small part of Amariee’s story. Sessions like this remind me that photography isn’t just “photos.” It’s people, connection, love, loss, and everything in between.
I’m incredibly thankful they trusted me to hold space for them and to honor their little girl in the only way I know how. I hope that by sharing her story, someone else reading this feels a little more seen, a little more supported, and a little less alone.
If you’ve experienced pregnancy or infant loss and ever feel called to document your baby’s story, my studio is a safe and gentle space. A space of support, understanding, and a place where your baby’s life is honored.
xoxo
