Welcoming Gabriela

Surrogate Birth of Gabriela

Brownsville, Texas Home Water Birth

When I first learned about Jen’s journey with surrogacy, I was excited and anxiously awaiting for this baby to “stick” and make their journey home… to their parent’s arms.

I can’t imagine how much emotion, time, and patience these lovely folks had to navigate to get to this day. I’m deeply humbled to have had a glimpse of this joyous day with them.

If you’ve never met Jen, she’s an incredible human and one of Brownsville’s newest midwives. Her birth center is Heart of Gaia and she helps families achieve their goals of having a physiological birth either at home or at her beautiful birth center.

Jen has the only clear birth tub in South Texas and my gosh, I’ve been patiently waiting to document someone’s birth in that gorgeous tub. I’m holding on to hope. #CrossingAllFingersAndToes

Come on a little trip down memory lane with me and take a peek at Gabriela’s birth. She was surrounded by people who have loved her long before conception. Welcome to the world, Gabriela!


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If you or someone you know are looking to document your birth. Reach out. I have limited space for birth work and I would be honored to be a part of your team.

xo, Norma

People's Choice Winners of the Birth Becomes Her Image Review 2020

The 2020 People’s Choice Winners and Honorable Mentions were announced!

NICU Photographer in McAllen, TX

NICU stays are never easy for families. Documenting the moments of this arduous journey can aid with the healing process. Professional NICU photographer, Norma Hess from Sojourning Birth in McAllen, Texas.

The 2020 Birth Becomes Her Image Review is in progress and this week, the winners and honorable mentions of The People Choice were announced!

I am so humbled to have this incredibly moving image make the cut. This image is one of the first images that came to mind when I first considered entering this year’s review.

Let me tell you a little bit about this story from my perspective.

Originally, the plan had been to attend this birth to document the moment this sweet baby entered the world. Plans changed quickly when things didn’t go as planned. (Birth is unpredictable like that sometimes.) I didn’t take a single photo. Instead, I helped call an ambulance, flagged them down, and held adoptive mama in my arms as we waited for paramedics to transfer this baby to the hospital.

I was shattered for this family… both biological and adoptive. My heart was heavy and I went home wondering whether everyone was ok. Wondering if it was too soon to send a message with my love. Wondering if it was too soon to offer to come to the NICU to document this story.

4 days later, we met at the NICU. We talked, connected and waited to head in to see baby. This would be the first time everyone would be int he same room with baby and it was a very emotional moment. There was prayer, laughter, tears, hugs and so much hope. I’m honestly not sure how I managed to hold myself together as I witnessed all the tender moments between this family.

This amazing baby is a fighter. As I approached her mama about submitting this photo for the 2020 BBH Image Review, I remembered what a vulnerable time this was for everyone. I’m so proud of her for saying yes to sharing this intimate moment. I know it’s important for us to see birth in all of it’s variations… our stories help others navigate their own journeys. It connects us to many other mamas even if we aren’t always aware of it.

These days, I see how incredibly strong this baby is as she pushes through each milestone, smiles, basks in the sunshine at the park… y’all, she’s amazing. I hang on to hope again, for all families currently experiencing their own NICU story or any who will do so in the future.

My heart is with you all. It takes so much strength and I’m here to support you if you need a friend.

Let’s keep exploring the rest of these incredible images! Discover the artists behind the photos too!

Over 15,000 votes were submitted this year for The People’s Choice voting round at the Birth Becomes Her Image Review 2020. Wowza!

It’s incredible to see so many beautiful images together… bringing us one step closer to normalizing all the variations of normal when it comes to birth.

It wasn’t long ago when many birth photographers struggled to have their images accepted by the entire photography community. It’s hard y’all. Birth can is raw and we fight social media bans almost daily. Big changes have been made in the last 4-5 years and I’m so happy to see that birth photography is now more openly welcomed!

Today, we see that the world is watching, and accepting this raw, emotional, beautiful and sometimes hard niche.

If you’re not following the Birth Becomes Her Image Review 2020, you should. The judges are tallying up their votes and the winners will be announced soon!

Congratulations to all the winners and honorable mentions in The 2020 People’s Choice round! Yay!

Here’s the list of the talented photographers from this round:

(Top 5 ) Brittney Hogue | Inge Berken | Sarah Hill Photography | Julie Asdurian Fotografia | Hardie Photography

(Honorable Mentions) Tinette Turton | Renate van Lith Fototgrafie | Love is Photography | Abigail Page Photography | Sophia’s Special Deliveries | The Antwerp Doula | Noa Fotografie | Jenna Van Photography | Michelle Glenn Photography | Blessed Touch Photography | Christina King Photography | Rushes and Waves Photography | Salt City Birth and Newborn Photography | Births by Tim | Neo Photography | Sojourning Birth | Alexandria Mooney | Wunderbirth


Birth Story: Leonardo

Birth of Leonardo | Rio Grande Regional Hospital, Labor & Delivery Photos in McAllen, TX

The birth of Leonardo was eagerly anticipated by his two wonderful parents. Beverly and Jorge met me early in their pregnancy. They had found my work online and expressed how much this little one meant to them and how important it was to document this journey.

Their life was already filled with joy with their son L.A. and now they were so excited to welcome this second little one. We had fun filming their gender reveal a few weeks back. Did you get to check that out? Here’s the link to that wonderful moment!

Time seemed to pass us so quickly and before we knew it, we were all gathered again. This time, surrounded by hospital sounds and in a room filled with love and anticipation.

Beverly calmly took on each wave that brought her closer to baby Leonardo… Jorge lovingly whispered in her ear, made her smile, and reassured her through all her labor. It was such an honor to be present for this moment between them. Documenting their story was a beautiful way to be reminded of how special life and love can be.

Leave this wonderful couple some love in the comments. I’m sure they will see them and be inspired by your words of encouragement as they adjust to life as a family of 4.

Welcome to the world, Leonardo! You are so loved.

Are you considering birth photography? Let’s chat about how we can document your family’s love story.

~Norma Hess

Happy International Day of The Midwife!

Midwife Births in McAllen, Edinburg, Weslaco, Texas

"...I've seen the sweetest exchanges of love and support as women labor here in the RGV. Midwives have a way of bringing such peace and comfort into the room even when a woman's labor reaches a moment of self-doubt. A gentle touch, a much needed hip squeeze and words of encouragement are just some of the beautiful tender moments I've seen when attending a midwife-led birth. "

Midwife: "Woman who is with." "A midwife is a trained health professional who helps healthy women during labor, delivery, and after the birth of their babies."

But a midwife is not only a professional who helps women labor and birth their babies... she is also an incredible source of support and encouragement through this life-changing moment for mothers-to-be. 

I've seen the sweetest exchanges of love and support as mothers labor right here in the RGV. Midwives have a way of bringing such peace and comfort into the room even when a labor reaches a moment of self-doubt. A gentle touch, a much needed hip squeeze and words of encouragement are just some of the beautiful tender moments I've seen when attending a midwife-led birth. 

I'm constantly in awe of these amazing midwives... they are providing a much-needed  level of care that I wish I had for every single one of my babies. 

So celebrate with me! Give your midwife some love... and if you haven't considered hiring a midwife for your next birth, call one of our local providers today. I'm sure they'd love to chat with you about how different your next birth experience can be. 

Happy International Day of The Midwife!

If you are interested in a midwife assisted birth, check out the client resource page on my website! You'll find links to some wonderful birth options here in the RGV. 

If you would like to have your momentous day documented, let's chat. (Click Here)I'd love to help you preserve these beautiful memories.