After hearing about the story, a photographer who frequently captures infants volunteered to make a photobook. Despite walking for 40 minutes to go to a hospital, the immigrant was late and gave birth on a public road.
With only 14 days to live, little Waldo won a book. Under the attentive eyes of his mother, while he slept, he was clicked in several poses by the photographer Nilza Rejane, 53, in a studio in Gravataí, in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre.
The son of Haitian immigrants, the baby was born on a sidewalk in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. The mother, Judith Fleurissaint Baguidy, 39, even walked for 40 minutes towards a hospital, but did not arrive in time and gave birth on a public road.
Moved by the story, the photographer, who has been working for five years doing “Newborn” essays, which consist of reproducing and recording poses that are made in the mother’s womb, spared no effort to find the Haitian and make the invitation.
“I was in the studio and casually saw the article on the Internet. Then I kept thinking to myself: ‘Although it’s a beautiful scene, in a few years he could have another image of his birth,” says Nilza. “I was moved by the story,” he declares.
Judith’s husband works in a bakery and couldn’t miss work. Her mother, who works as a domestic but is on leave, accompanied the baby to the session, which started around 9 am and lasted until early afternoon. “Judith, who was super anxious, spent the whole time by my side, worried about Waldo”, remembers the photographer.
She explains that the “Newborn” test is usually done in the first 10 days of life, which is when the baby has the deepest sleep and the body’s flexibility is greatest. Between one photo and another, pause for the mother to breastfeed and change diapers. Rhythm is the force that dictates. Nilza guarantees that Waldo behaved very well. “He’s an angel, I’m in love with him,” affectionately defines the photographer.
At the end of the shoot, Judith happily accepted to be photographed with her son. The family will be presented with a 20-page photo book that will bring together the baby’s best moments. “She speaks little Portuguese, she said, ‘thank you’ with a huge smile. She didn’t need to say anything else,” describes Nilza.
Through her husband, who has more knowledge of the language, Judith says she was very happy. “No words. Everyone congratulates the photos”, celebrates the Haitian, grateful.
