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A Miracle { Austin Pro Life Photographer }

Easter weekend, I had the honor of photographing a remarkable 21 year old girl, with an incredible life story. It’s a story that touches depths of one’s soul, because it involves a tough subject – abortion. It’s incredibly difficult for me to wrap my mind around the reality that abortions, and more specifically late term abortions, occur every day. Right now, a pregnant mother somewhere in this world will make her decision to end her baby’s life today. I heard on the news the other day that a recent scientific study concluded that fetuses in their 2nd trimester of life cannot feel pain. I remember listening to that and immediately wanting to run into the bathroom to puke.

Meet Claire. She is a miracle. She is a twin abortion SURVIVOR. Claire’s biological mom became pregnant with her at the age of 13. Her mother took her to an abortion clinic where she had a surgical abortion. A few weeks later she realized she was still pregnant so she found an out-of-state late-term abortion clinic to do a second abortion. At the clinic they told her she had been pregnant with twins..ONE WAS ABORTED; ONE SURVIVED. They said it was too late to do a second abortion…Claire was born 2 weeks later. Claire was born 2.5 months early. She weighed 3 lbs 2 oz, she was on life support, her hips were dislocated and her feet were turned in…all because of the abortion.

Claire’s story is an true testimony of God’s amazing grace. She was adopted into a loving Christian family when she was 2.5 months old. I could go on and on about her amazing parents that I’ve been blessed to know. Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” – this scripture is true for all unborn babies but in light of Claire’s story, it speaks to the miracle and the great purpose for her life.

Claire’s mission in life is to save unborn babies from abortion. To share her story. To shine her light. Did you know abortions are scheduled twice a month at Planned Parenthood? Two days a month. I learned this from Claire’s twitter because I checked it the week after Easter and she said that Tuesday was “abortion day”. And she would be outside the clinic praying for those mothers who were on the schedule that day. I checked back later that evening and she had a ray of hope, one baby saved that day. One baby. Just like Claire.

How can you help?

Join her Facebook Fan page – http://www.facebook.com/#!/ClaireCulwell
Her Website is – http://www.claireculwell.com
Her Twitter is – http://www.twitter.com/claireculwell

Life is a miracle. Claire’s life is miraculous!

Show Hide 27 comments

Jessica - April 18, 2010 - 9:41 AM

Wow…sitting here now with chills & tears… What an amazing story & a true miracle that she is alive today!! Thank you for sharing…I will be checking out Claire’s website now!

Shanna - April 18, 2010 - 9:57 AM

Holy crap that gave me chills!!! What an amazing story!!!!! Gorgeous pictures!

Tori Piercy - April 18, 2010 - 10:20 AM

Her story made me cry! What a gorgeous girl with an amazing story. You captured her beautifully!

brianna saban - April 18, 2010 - 1:06 PM

oh my gosh.
what a beautiful miracle claire is!!!!
thank you for sharing her story with us.

i am emailing this post out.

“for you created my inmost being.
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

psalm 139:13

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Stephanie - April 18, 2010 - 5:24 PM

Wow! What a story! Beautiful images as well!

Megan - April 18, 2010 - 7:27 PM

Both mom and baby are just beautiful!

Rose - April 18, 2010 - 9:00 PM

Such a touching story! Beautiful photos!

Libby - April 18, 2010 - 9:23 PM

Thank you for sharing this…gives me goosebumps! What a beautiful, amazing story. God is amazing and can overcome all!!

Tina - April 18, 2010 - 9:29 PM

Awesome, awesome story. Thanks for sharing. She’s beautiful!

Claire - April 18, 2010 - 11:02 PM

I am speechless! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story. You are so right… It is stories like these that show how amazing his Grace is! I am sending my friends/family to this if that’s ok as I think everyone needs to hear this incredible story. Beautiful pictures of her and that sweet precious baby!

Krissy Allori - April 19, 2010 - 1:06 AM

Gorgeous images and what an amazing story. I have never heard of one twin surviving an abortion. Amazing!

chrissy torney - April 19, 2010 - 4:54 AM

Beautiful story :)

Jen - April 19, 2010 - 5:54 AM

What an amazing story. What a gorgeous baby!

Stephanie McFrederick - April 19, 2010 - 6:37 AM

What an amazing women! Thank you for sharing that story, it’s very touching! Beautiful work too :)

AmandaR - April 19, 2010 - 7:04 AM

Omgosh…that story made me tear up…she’s so vibrant and beautiful and to think she nearly wasn’t given the chance at life.
And the photos are just wonderful, such rich vibrant colour and great clarity. Just beautiful

Jen Stafford - April 19, 2010 - 7:56 AM

What an amazing and touching story! And such a gorgeous girl. I love that she is working so hard to stop abortion from happening. I’m sure the Lord is pleased with her!

Tabitha - April 19, 2010 - 2:37 PM

What an amazing story! I have been checking your blog for a while now and I just think you have been blessed with such amazing talent!! Thank you so much for sharing!! God Bless!

Barbara - April 20, 2010 - 8:44 AM

Warren and I both could not even read the blog because our eyes were filled with tears! We are so grateful for our precious, beautiful daughter that the Lord gave us in Claire!! Thank you so MUCH for how your captured her beauty and your amazing pictures of the precious life of a newborn!! We are amazed at what HE has done and how HE is using her life to touch others!!!
we are in awe…..

Sandy Smith - April 20, 2010 - 11:26 AM

Claire,

I did not know this story…..I’m truly amazed by how God works…..He saved you so you could do His work. God bless you!!!!!

kelly g - April 20, 2010 - 7:20 PM

She is GORGEOUS and what an AMAZING story! Thank you for sharing it!!!

julie jones - April 20, 2010 - 8:44 PM

this is so amazing and touching…I see God’s handiwork in all these lives.SO glad for LC’s life and all her heart to share her story. I love the Culwells.

mandy - April 21, 2010 - 7:34 AM

Pure miracle…in every, single way. What an amazing story…it truly brought tears to my eyes.

Kristie - April 21, 2010 - 5:30 PM

Amazing and beautiful!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!

Jill Amend - April 25, 2010 - 9:02 PM

Wow. You are beautiful Lauren Claire inside and out!!

Christoper Polikoff - July 12, 2010 - 6:36 AM

Awesome work. I typically locate particularly terrific posts here on your blog site.

[...] Read PART OF MY STORY written by my photographer and see her beautiful pictures she donated for my to my website [...]

Jenna - October 22, 2012 - 5:56 PM

Ohh my! Nicely capture. I love the baby photos and now I can’t think of anything but having my own baby next year.. Aja to that. I will surely go and capture nice moments like this.

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Bluebonnet Minis Day 2 { Austin Children’s Photographer }

Back today with more sneak peeks of sweet boys in bluebonnets! My sincere apologies on the long wait for your sneak peeks! I’m catching up!!:)

And some sneaks peeks of my favorite little 6 yr old soccer star…:)

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Anya Coleman - April 13, 2010 - 4:13 PM

Lovely shots!!!

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Bluebonnet Mini Sessions { Austin Child Photographer }

Back for another daily fix of adorable babies in bluebonnets! This time, 2 of 4 families from last week’s spring mini sessions! My apologies to them for having to wait a week for their sneak peeks! I’ll be sharing the next 2 families tomorrow! Now off to bed to hopefully sleep off my larangitis that has taken my voice away.:(

And the “W” family’s sneak peeks!

Show Hide 12 comments

Kimberly Marie - April 11, 2010 - 11:50 PM

These are gorgeous! LOVE the location :) the last shot is stunning!

Ashleigh-Faye - April 12, 2010 - 4:12 AM

what sweet images!

Laura Brett - April 12, 2010 - 5:37 AM

What beautiful families, great job!

Angela Crutcher - April 12, 2010 - 6:35 AM

Oh my goodness. I am so jealous of your location!! Beautiful!!! LOVE the last shot. What a sweet face!

jennifer adams - April 12, 2010 - 7:15 AM

what a gorgeous family and a awesome location, love the colors!

Clarice - April 12, 2010 - 7:30 AM

These are beautiful! I love that field of flowers! What a great setting you selected!

Jen Stafford - April 12, 2010 - 8:32 AM

What a gorgeous location. These are all just lovely!

anette - April 12, 2010 - 8:39 AM

Wow..this is an amazing location!!! The kids are adorable as well. I love your processing and I am so jealous of the location!

Linda - April 12, 2010 - 9:43 AM

Oh my…love every one of these. The lighting is beautiful! I wish we had bluebonnets here in RI, I have never seen anything like this…just amazing work!

Julie Wagoner - April 12, 2010 - 2:45 PM

Beautiful! I never tire of looking at adorable children in the blue bonnets!

mandy - April 13, 2010 - 7:10 AM

So pretty. What a gorgeous location.

Jane Photo - April 16, 2010 - 2:43 AM

What a great location. Can we clone it and plop it down around the corner from me? Beautiful families, and I love the third from the end.

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So Sweet { Austin Newborn Photographer }

I got to hold and photograph this precious baby girl last week! She was a very alert baby for being under 7 days old! Not wanting to miss a moment of her newborn session! hehe. We managed to get her to sleep for short lengths of time, enough to capture these sweet moments…:)Enjoy your sneak peek!!

Show Hide 14 comments

Jennifer Lauren - April 10, 2010 - 1:10 PM

Beautiful little girl, what sweet images! I LOVE that yawn and the eye contact, wow!

Jen G - April 10, 2010 - 1:50 PM

These are precious! I love the expressions you captured and your lighting is perfect!

Kristin Cook - April 10, 2010 - 3:19 PM

love her little grin!
Precious :)

Shanna - April 10, 2010 - 5:34 PM

Oh my gosh, I love these! I love the yawning shot and the feet shot. So cute!

Stephanie - April 10, 2010 - 6:47 PM

Love the yawn! What a cutie! Nice job!

Tori Piercy - April 10, 2010 - 10:07 PM

Love the yawn shot! Sooo sweet!

Jen - April 11, 2010 - 8:56 AM

These are adorable. Great job!

Jeni - April 11, 2010 - 9:08 AM

she is adorable, love that little yawn!!

mollie - April 11, 2010 - 3:38 PM

sweet sweet babe. her family will be so glad to have these!

Sophie Crew - April 11, 2010 - 4:17 PM

What a sweetie! Look at that yawn! So precious!

Katie Lou - April 11, 2010 - 8:24 PM

Oh the yawn! Perfect!

Lynn - April 12, 2010 - 7:36 PM

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! That yawning picture is worth it’s weight in gold! WOW!

mandy - April 13, 2010 - 7:33 AM

These are all awesome but the yawning one is so precious. . . sigh. Your photos made me want another one.

Jimmy Legrand - September 6, 2011 - 12:34 PM

J’adore votre travail!
Vous avez un très bon style et vos photos sont sublimes.
J’aimerai tant avoir votre talent!
Très bonne continuation Elle.

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Bluebonnet Babes { Joneses Quints by Surprise Photographer }

Back today with the adorable Jones quintuplets at almost 15 months old, stars of the recent television special “Quintuplet Surprise” on TLC! We recently met at my favorite wildflower field for a mini session with the quints in the famous Texas bluebonnets! We did the session in record time too – one hour! I absolutely adore these babies!!:)They are all walking and starting to talk too! So much fun!!
Big kudos to the 3 wonderful girls who came along to help with the babies! Enjoy the sneak peeks!!!

Miss B

Miss B

Mr. J

Miss L

Miss R

Show Hide 14 comments

Jessica - April 8, 2010 - 1:49 PM

Beautiful job, Elle!! Sure wish we had those bluebonnets in Washington!

Jill - April 8, 2010 - 2:09 PM

Wow! These are fantastic – the field is gorgeous and amazing to get five babies sitting and looking for a shot! What a gem!

Bethany Dawn Burns - April 8, 2010 - 3:59 PM

I am in AWE…and that is it. I don’t know what else to say! ♥

this n that - April 8, 2010 - 4:47 PM

These are gorgeous!!! What cute kiddos.
-Shellie

Jennifer - April 8, 2010 - 8:09 PM

The pictures turned out so beautiful! I was a “helper” during the photo session so I know it wasn’t easy to get all of these :-) They make me smile!! Great job Elle!!!

Jane Photo - April 8, 2010 - 10:35 PM

That’s a perfect place for them, and you shot them brilliantly. They are so cute.

Susie L - April 9, 2010 - 6:42 AM

Oh my goodness those babies are adorable! I am amazed at how you got that first shot!

Cristina - April 9, 2010 - 7:30 AM

I love how these are bursting with colour! Adorable babies, and a perfect setting for their portraits, too.

Melissa Rodriguez - April 9, 2010 - 9:51 PM

My oh my – aren’t they ADORABLE!!! Love these! Maybe a trip to Austin is in store for me – I can’t get my kids in the blue bonnets if my life depended on it – and if anyone is up for the challenge you are – You handled these quints and proved these GORGEOUS photos! I can see canvas’ of these on my walls if they were my kiddos – just adorable!!!

teri mason - April 11, 2010 - 9:19 AM

So precious!

Claire - April 11, 2010 - 8:29 PM

oh my gosh they are so darn cute! Great location! Love the colors!

mandy - April 13, 2010 - 7:45 AM

These are so beautiful. I cannot believe that that first shot either. I don’t know how you got them all together like that. I can’t even get my kids to do that and there is only two of them.

Lilly - September 28, 2010 - 10:02 AM

These babies are so cute, and sweet! And Eliot, such a sweet girl.. love her! :) I love their show, so cute!! I love these pictures… great job! <3 You are so blessed Ethan and Casey!

Sarah - March 23, 2014 - 1:26 PM

Omg! Look at Brooklyn’s face! So Cute! ( Brooklyn is the first )

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One is twice the fun! { Austin Twins Photographer }

My favorite set of identical twinkies just turned one years old!! Their one year old photo session was filled with bluebonnets, kisses, songs, cupcakes and lollipops! So much fun! Enjoy your sneak peek, “D” family!!!:)


Show Hide 10 comments

Susie L - April 6, 2010 - 9:27 AM

Love the picture of mom kissing her daughter – that is adorable! Beautiful colors in these pictures!

jennifer adams - April 6, 2010 - 9:30 AM

awww what a beautiful family and awesome location! LOVE the shot of mom kissing her baby!

Krissy Allori - April 6, 2010 - 9:32 AM

What a gorgeous family and location! Love the colors. Beautiful.

Jessica - April 6, 2010 - 9:32 AM

Adorable!!! Just love the one with mama kissing her baby girl!!!

Julie Wagoner - April 6, 2010 - 12:08 PM

These are just sooo much fun! I love the bright colors of the lollipop shots…and the ones with their parents are just stunning!

Kelli Dease - April 6, 2010 - 2:23 PM

Great shots! Wonderful clarity and color.

mollie - April 6, 2010 - 8:29 PM

so so cute. i like the one of mom kissing one of the twins!

Jaidean - April 6, 2010 - 9:31 PM

They are so adorable! Love the mommy kiss one – so precious!

casandra heeren - April 7, 2010 - 10:11 AM

such darling little girls! i love them all, but the black and white one is just perfect!

Jane Photo - April 8, 2010 - 11:02 PM

Such cute gals, and I just adore that last one.

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