Capturing the Miracle: A Photographer's Perspective on Kristen's Birth Experience

I first met Kristen through her mom, Kelli, long before Kristen was ever pregnant. Kelli and I had met at vendor events, just crossing paths in the way that you do, not knowing it would turn into something more. Through Kelli, I was connected with Kristen as they collaborated with a magazine that they were creating. They had asked me to be their contributing photographer, but at the time my life did not really allow for that. I recommended my friend Madalyn, who became their photographer for about 6 months, until I eventually took over the role. But these small interactions eventually led to what would be a great client friendship. The connection that builds overtime with a client and family is something that I really value. Madalyn later reconnected with Kristen through her fresh 48.

In November of 2024, Kelli reached out to me about a Black Friday sale I was running. She wanted to book my top birth package. That was the beginning of this story, before I had even met Kristen myself.

I didn’t meet Kristen until her announcement session. We chatted about a good location and settled on her church, a place that held so much meaning for them. The entire session was intentional. Their dog Bernard and Kristen’s parents joined us for the session. They brought a few props like her ultrasound, rosary, and a few small items. The light was stunning and Kristen was radiant.

From there, I checked in with her throughout her pregnancy. It was smooth and steady. Every single time I talked to Kristen, there was a radiant joy that I could feel. She is a bright person. You can feel and see the love and connection that is within her and her family. She told me that from the very first time she felt Leo kick in the womb, she felt deeply connected to him.

During this season, Kristen was also reflecting on a much bigger part of her life. She had spent much of her twenties searching for her vocation, wondering if she was being called into religious life or into marriage and motherhood. Through prayer and lived experiences, God made it clear that she was called to be a wife and a mother. This pregnancy, and this baby, felt like a continuation of that calling. A confirmation of what had already been placed on her heart.

In June, we met again for maternity photos at Iliff Commons. They already knew that Bernard would be a part of the session and her parents joined too. We chose this location because of how much variety it offers, and because it is very dog friendly. It helped add ease to the entire session. I brought an assistant with me, and we moved through different spots, different light, and a few different outfits.

She started the session off with this beautiful blue gown, perfect to show off her baby boy bump. We did a few images to showcase her perfect bump, then some with Travis as well. You could see just how proud he was not only of his wonderful wife bringing life to this world, but also that little baby boy she was carrying. She wore a beautiful little pendant necklace, which a year later, would be even more meaningful.

Next we got creative! Kristen braved the pond and got in the water for some really neat images. My assistant Brie did as well. Kristen was beautiful with the sun glowing all around her.

Kristen and Travis changed into a neutral outfit next. I photographed Kristen sitting on the little dock over the speckled pond, they sat on a bench and embraced each other, and then walked along the trail with Bernard. He loved being a part of the session!

While at her maternity session, we also talked about adding a doula to her birth team. At that point, I was not a doula yet, but I knew several who were incredible at what they do, and I recommended them to her. That conversation is what led her to Victoria, who would later become a vital role in her birth experience. Later, Kristen described Victoria as a calm, resourceful, prayerful, and deeply supportive doula, especially in regards to her desire for a natural birth. She even attended midwife appointments with her and put in real physical effort to help her stay comfortable during labor.

We rounded off Kristen's maternity session with this gorgeous floral dress. There weren't many flowers at this location, so this pop of bright floral was the perfect addition to her session. Travis had a striped shirt with a neutral top underneath that matched her dress wonderfully. I enjoyed photographing them together, documenting this part of their journey. Then, of course, Bernard joined for a few more!

As the sun set, her family surrounded her for one last frame. Everyone was beaming with excitement for the little one on the way. He would be here before they knew it and their lives would be changed forever. All that was left to do, was wait!

On July 9th, the day before her birth, in the evening, Kristen texted me letting me know that she was having contractions. She said they were intense, but she wasn’t sure yet when she would need me or what to expect.

I went to bed, assuming she would call when I was needed, if I was needed. At 12:44 a.m., a single text came through. No phone call, no follow-up, just that they were heading to the hospital. I didn’t see it right away.

About thirty minutes later, I woke suddenly from a dream. In it, she had gone into labor and I had missed it. It startled me awake enough that I instinctively reached for my phone to check. No missed calls, but there it was, that one text from thirty minutes earlier.

Kristen later shared with me that her husband had sent it and didn’t realize he needed to call so that my phone would ring. Had I not had that dream, I would have stayed asleep. I would have missed it. Later, Kristen would reflect on that moment as something more. To her, it wasn’t just a dream, it was the Holy Spirit waking me, making sure I was there when I was meant to be. There were many small moments that spoke to her in a really big way, signifying ways that God was right there with her the entire time.

I responded right away, asking if she had been checked or if I should start heading that way. After about ten minutes with no response, I decided to go anyway. It’s pretty normal for me to attend “false alarms,” because I believe in documenting their entire experience, not just active labor. Typically, if they go, I go, even if I need to just sit in a parking lot.

I arrived at a little before 2 a.m., and when I walked into the room, labor was already well underway. Kristen was 7 centimeters when she arrived at the hospital and had been placed in room 7, something that stood out to her immediately. The number seven, another spiritual number, felt like a message she could hold onto. "Do not worry, I am with you."

Victoria was at Kristen’s side, and Travis, her husband, was there as well. He was steady and present. The room had a quiet intensity that comes when a woman is approaching transition. It was joyful and exciting, but still very intense.

As her birth photographer, I stepped into the space quietly and intentionally. Kristen later described my presence as thoughtful, resourceful, calm, prayerful, and supportive in every moment of the journey. I worked seamlessly alongside her entire team, respectful, observant, and attentive to what was unfolding. I only spoke when it mattered most, offering support in a way that added to the space rather than interrupting it. To witness a woman bring life into this world is something extraordinary. To witness Kristen do so, faithful to the Lord, and to watch her surrender herself for her baby, it really is indescribable.

Victoria supported her as her doula. She was very attentive to her needs and never left her side. Travis was right there as well ready to step in when needed. Kristen had a comb in her hand and was humming through contractions, working through each one with intention and faith. She was starting to feel pressure, and nausea had set in, but she was communicating the entire time. She continued to let everyone know how she could best be supported.

Around 2 a.m., Victoria asked for the CUB and Kristen moved into all fours. She was still very nauseous, but continued to work through each contraction, taking one at a time. Over the next fifteen minutes, she tried a few positions as Victoria used a sheet to move her hips back and forth, helping her body create space. During this time, Travis never stopped speaking encouragement to her, reminding her just how well she was doing.

Throughout the next hour, her birth team stayed consistent around her. Travis was right there, offering encouragement, and Victoria was working on her back, using pressure and movement to help her body through the process. She kept a pair of headphones on. These headphones were just one example of how Travis and her Doula had helped prepare ahead of time for her birth. Victoria had a faith filled, Christian birth affirmation audio for Kristen to listen too. She later shared with me that Travis knew she would want God's Word and His promises playing over her, so he went out and purchased these headphones just for that. She said "I think it was the only thing that kept me grounded."

This is when things shifted. The pressure changed from something she was managing to something her body began to do on its own. She said, “I feel God with us here.” And that moment settled everyone in the room. Faith had already been present through her pregnancy, but here, it was something that could be felt by all of us. Kristen continued to talk to Him throughout her labor and depend on Him.

As labor continued, Kristen’s body kept progressing. At one point, she told the room, “I’m involuntarily pushing. You might want to let them know.” Nurse Madison came in and asked if it was okay to check her cervix or if she wanted to wait, and Kristen agreed to the check. Madison said she could feel the baby right there. They adjusted Kristen’s position to get a better check, and Kristen didn’t like that position, but she worked through it. She was told she was nine centimeters with a bulging bag, and that her baby was coming down.

At 2:30 a.m., Kristen said, “I’m just asking God to be here with me and get me through this last part.” She asked for the lights to be turned off and for help to unbutton her top because she was hot and wanted to be ready for skin to skin. Then everything went quiet for a moment. There was nothing but the sound of the monitors in the room, and everyone waited for that final bit of change to happen.

About ten minutes later, the intensity picked back up. Travis suggested another position change and Kristen worked through it. She continued to breathe through each contraction, her moans becoming more apparent. When she began to move toward her back, he reminded her that it was important to her to stay off of her back.

Kristen told everyone she really needed to push and asked for one more cervical check. There was still a small amount remaining, so they continued changing positions. She threw up, and everything became more intense quickly. The pain increased, the nausea ramped up, and she remained completely unmedicated through it all, grounded in her support, her plan, and her faith.

In the middle of all of this, Victoria gently pulled her hair back into a ponytail, caring for her in a small but meaningful way that helped ground her.

At one point, she said, “I don’t know if this is pee or water.” The fluid was clear, but it wasn’t fully obvious if her water had broken yet. Travis kept telling her she was strong, over and over. Kristen asked for the christian birth affirmation video that her doula had brought to be turned back on.

At 2:57 a.m., she said, “My butt hurts,” and someone gently responded, “Try not to clench. Let him just come down.” Even in the middle of everything, Kristen looked around at her team and said, “You guys are an awesome birth team,” and Travis answered her, “Now get that trophy, that baby boy.”

At 3:09 a.m., a large amount of fluid came out, though her water had not fully broken. Her breathing slowed and steadied, her voice quieter now. Then, in a low voice, she said, “Here we go.” She adjusted her headphones, and then she threw up again.

At 3:14 a.m., she began to lose a bit of control, not in a negative way, but in the way that happens when someone reaches the edge of themselves. She reminded herself to stay calm and pulled herself back into a focused place. Her midwife suggested another position change, and Kristen asked to go back onto all fours using the CUB. They continued working her hips, helping her body move through that final stage.

At that point, I asked her if she still wanted crowning photos. She was in a different position than we had originally talked about, but she said yes. At 3:21 a.m., she told everyone she could really feel it, and the intensity rose quickly. Her body was fully taking over, and she got louder as she worked through it. Her midwife reminded her to breathe down, guiding her through the final pushes.

About five minutes later, at 3:29 a.m., her water finally broke. She could hear it. Kristen said, “Thank you, Jesus,” and Travis answered, “Amen.” Victoria leaned in, rubbing her back, and said, “God’s got you, just surrender to Him.” And that’s exactly what Kristen did. She had reached the end of herself and surrendered fully to the process, to her body, and to her faith.

Later, she told me about the details that stood out most to her in those final moments. The midwife’s calm and observant face. The concern and care from her husband. The moment she saw a photo of her baby crowning and used that to push through the final part.

Shortly after that, Leo was born.

As he entered the world, Victoria said, “Good job! You did it, mama! He’s here!”

When Kristen saw his face for the first time after waiting for that moment for so long, everything else faded away. She later said nothing else mattered in that moment except taking in the beauty of her firstborn son and thanking God. The love she felt in that first moment was so powerful that she didn’t even notice or care that she was being stitched afterward.

She would later describe her birth as something that taught her about sacrifice, love, and wonder. She said it showed her that, with God, she could face her biggest fears. She remembered feeling scared and lightheaded during transition, wondering if she could do it, but she also remembered what grounded her—the affirmations playing, the encouragement around her, the steady presence of her team, and the constant reminder to trust God’s design.

After the birth, there were still moments that mattered. Kristen hemorrhaged and requested that the nurses cut a piece of her placenta so she could place it in her mouth to dissolve and help restore her iron levels. She said this helped her recover quickly and hoped it would open the nurses’ eyes to a natural option they may not have seen before. She noticed their reactions shift from confusion to curiosity as they saw how quickly her body responded.

Looking back, Kristen says this birth changed how she sees her body. She now sees it as nurturing, strong, and holy. She says becoming a mother has brought a level of selflessness, love, and strength she never knew she had.

She says she will always remember how present God was during her birth experience. In the timing of Leo’s arrival, in the room she was placed in, in the strength she found during transition, and even in the way I was woken up in the middle of the night, making sure I was there when I was meant to be.

When she looks at Leo, she says simply that he is a precious gift from God.

And that she would endure anything for him.

Kristen later shared with me just how much it meant to her to be able to have a natural, unmedicated birth. She said "I wanted to experience giving birth the way God designed our bodies to do it naturally, without any interference." There were so many spiritual things that happened during Leo's pregnancy and delivery that made Kristen and Travis feel very blessed. She said that it "only affirmed what we already knew - that this child is a very sacred gift from God! Like all babies are, of course!"

Following Kristen's birth, I went home. Within a few hours, I had found that my children had developed what was looking like HFM and knew I would need to call a back up photographer, so that Kristen's Fresh 48 could be documented, safely.

I called my number 1 - Madalyn Smith with Madalyn Smith Photography. Kristen could be comfortable with Madalyn, because we all had a relationship from the start. They could trust each other in this intimate space. The following images were photographed by Madalyn Smith Photography, then edited by myself.

Kristen was radiant as always in those first hours, with Travis right by herself, embracing his incredible new title - Father. They had a sweet onesie for Leo that said "Small Things, Great Love" and that was true.

Once my babies had no more threat of contagion, I was able to join Kristen, Travis, and baby Leo in their beautiful home for a newborn session.

I thought to myself "This is a wonderful home to be born into." Their home was full of their love, puppy love, newborn baby love, and of course, the love of Jesus.

About a week later, Kristen brought Leo into the studio in Scranton where we created some really fun newborn set ups! The first was this JEEP that they received at their baby shower. I thought that was SO cool. We wrapped Leo up and put him in it!

He was so much fun for his session. Leo had so much personality and it's always a treasure to capture that through these sessions. From sleepy poses to wide awake expressions, his newborn session was no different than the rest of Kristen's sessions - full of light, love, and most of all laughter.

Several months later, Kristen and Travis brought Leo and Bernard out to the Kansas History Museum for a family session. Leo had grown SO much! Watching him grow through these images has been an extraordinary blessing. Kristen's smile was radiant as ever. After receiving her photos back she said "You always do an INCREDIBLE job. Thank you Hanna! We love them! Literally obsessed with these!"

Sometimes, I wonder if my clients know just how much I adore THEM and their sessions as well. I watched Travel hold on to Kristen and Leo with so much love, Leo of course just being the handsome chunk that he is, Kristen smile with so much light from the Lord. I watch the joy just bounce between them.

I hope one day that I will be photographing this little guy's senior photos! We finished off their family session in the fall and kept in touch through winter. As spring began to peek through, we scheduled a nursing session. A session that would complete this story.... for now.

We returned to the same location where Kristen had her maternity session. Madalyn created beautiful florals for us to use on my wicker chair. It fit perfectly. Kristen and Leo were so happy together in the sunlight. She played with him and let him explore the grass. Of course, Bernard and their new pup Cabrini joined as well!

Kristen was wearing a beautiful floral dress that again had the perfect pop of florals in these fields. We created one of her maternity photos at the top of the hill.

Then Kristen returned down to that same little pond where she had been with Leo still inside her tummy, kicking away. She sat down and nursed him, overlooking the water and golden rays. It was stunning. I looked at my camera and was speechless.

We moved the chair down by the pond as well, because her new blue dress matched perfectly! The light and colors were a dream, so she snuggled and played with Leo as I photographed!

Kristen ended the session in a blue dress and with Leo in the sweetest happy face outfit. I thought this was very fitting, considering how much joy flows around and through this little family. We captured them together, and of course a few frames with grandmas as well. Then, she nursed Leo one last time, before we head home.