In a world that often astounds us with its remarkable occurrences, the story of four beautiful babies born as quadruplets shines as a testament to the extraordinary nature of life’s surprises. These tiny angels, Quinn, Indie, Hudson, and Molly, graced the world with their presence on August 15, 2018, at Christchurch Women’s Hospital in New Zealand. Born prematurely at just 28 weeks and four days, they marked a remarkable milestone in the country, being the first set of quadruplets born in the past two decades.
Their portraits, captured within a span of seven and a half hours, are a celebration of their uniqueness and a reminder of the miracle of birth. Their parents, Kendall and Joshua MacDonald, along with their older sibling Brooklyn, welcomed these four bundles of joy into their lives. With weights ranging from 1.12 kg to 1.3 kg, these newborns embarked on their journey in the neonatal care unit, where they began their fight for growth and development.
Molly, in her own right, achieved significant developmental milestones, becoming a beacon of hope for the family. The journey of caring for a single infant can be a challenging feat for new parents, but the MacDonalds were confronted with the extraordinary task of tending to four precious lives.
Photographer Cassandra English was privileged to document this remarkable journey, capturing the essence of these quadruplets in their early days. English, captivated by the story of these tiny miracles, embarked on a “career-defining shoot.” She recounts, “I’ve been dreaming up this session since I found out about Kendall carrying these four tiny miracles. The redhead triplets were a challenge, but four babies… challenge accepted.”
The session, a symphony of love and dedication, involved meticulous preparation. Four babies, four assistants, three gentle “shushers” mimicking the sounds of the womb, 27 bouquets of fresh flowers, a lovingly crafted wreath, and a wooden bed made by her own father were all brought together to breathe life into English’s vision.
The MacDonald family, recognizing the intrigue and wonder that surrounded their impending arrivals, created a Facebook page to share their journey. Alongside the quadruplets, the family also has Brooklyn, their firstborn son who was three years old at the time. The image of the four siblings, along with their elder brother, was captured when the babies were merely 12 weeks old. This photoshoot holds a special place in English’s heart, marking a pivotal moment in her career.
English, describing the enchanting experience of capturing the siblings, reveals, “They are special when lying next to each other and also when taking pictures with the eldest brother Brooklyn. In order to realize my idea, I need 4 babies, 4 assistants, 3 speakers that make the sounds babies are used to hearing from the womb, 27 bouquets of fresh flowers, a homemade laurel wreath, and a wooden bed made by my father.”
The MacDonald family’s journey, marked by love, dedication, and the miraculous arrival of four precious souls, stands as a testament to the power of resilience, family bonds, and the beauty of life’s unexpected wonders.
