Honoring Ancient Traditions: A Birth Photography Session Rooted in Indigenous Wisdom – McAllen, TX

In the heart of South Texas, where the land holds deep ancestral memory, I had the honor of capturing a sacred moment—a photography session centered on the ancient spiritual practices of birth work. This session was more than just taking pictures. It was a spiritual offering, a blessing, and a reflection of the timeless connection between birthing people and those who hold space for them.

Midwife sits in front of pregnant person and holds a rose over pregnant person's hands as they start a blessing for the pregnant person.

As a birth worker and birth photographer in McAllen, Texas, my intention is to honor the cultural roots that continue to guide our community. This session highlighted a blessing ceremony for a mother-to-be, inspired by the wisdom of our ancestors—who recognized that birth is not just physical, but spiritual, emotional, and communal.

Image of a woven basket holding a feather fan, candles and ancestral shaker musical instrument along with some handkerchiefs.

We gathered in a quiet, natural setting, where gentle touch, prayer, herbal medicine, and energy alignment became a part of the ritual. These elements are still practiced today by some traditional birth keepers throughout South Texas and beyond. With each photo, I aimed to capture not just the beauty of the moment, but the deep respect we hold for life, lineage, and healing.

Pregnant person sits and adds tobacco to a metal bowl as a part of her pregnancy blessing ceremony. Midwife sits in the distance smiling.

In this work, I welcome all birthing people, regardless of gender identity, family structure, or background. My practice is rooted in inclusion, trust, and cultural reverence. Whether you’re planning a home birth, birthing in a hospital, or receiving postpartum support, I am here to document your story and hold sacred space.

Midwife uses smoke to cleanse the space and pregnant person during their blessing ceremony

If you’re looking for a birth photographer or birth worker in McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, or surrounding areas in the Rio Grande Valley, I would love to connect with you. I specialize in honoring your birth space in everything I do: pregnancy blessings, birth & postpartum support, culturally rooted postpartum cerradas or closing of the bones ceremonies & birth photography.

Let us continue to honor the medicine of our ancestors—one birth at a time.

Midwife blessing a pregnant person in a maternity blessing ceremony


Holy Family Birthing Center: Birth of Benjamin

Water Birth at

Holy Family Birthing Center

Weslaco, TX

Birth of Benjamin

Meeting families is always an adventure. Everyone’s story is different and I’m always so excited to learn about them so I can start to think of how I will be piecing their stories together.

Documentary photography is quite candid and never really comes with a script but every family has a wish for their birth photography experience. Some wish to have a more conservative story while others wish to have every detail included.

I met the L family when they were expecting their first little one. Their sweet son (who made a great doula this time around.) We had a few chats about how birth photography worked and somehow, we didn’t end up working together for his birth.

Upon finding out they were expecting baby #2, they jumped on-board and booked a birth package right away. Mrs. L explained that she absolutely needed these photos. So we did it! SHE DID IT! She birthed her second son like the birth goddess that she is.

She was supported by her husband, her sister, her mother, and her son too! They all gathered and encouraged her as she worked through each wave. They held space for her as she transitioned and witnessed as she roared her baby out.

Benjamin was surrounded by love and tears of joy as he made his way into the world for the first time! What an absolute joy it was to document this very special moment of their lives.

Congratulations L family! I hope your holiday season is filled with celebration and new traditions as a family of 4.


~Norma H

Some "me" time.

McAllen Photographer | The Making Friends Tour, Jukebox The Ghost and The Mowgli’s in Austin, Texas.

View from Covert Park at Mount Bonnell in Austin, Texas | Photo by Norma Hess Photography | McAllen Doula, Photo & Video

Hi y’all!

Sometimes I look at this crazy life I’m living and I can’t help but feel incredibly lucky. I think like most people, (ok, maybe not most…) I often wondered what I was meant to be doing. I never really felt quite right in all my other job opportunities. Although I’ve learned so much through each experience, none felt like it fit me and my soul.

Fast forward 30something years and here I am, living my dream! This dream doesn’t come without a price though. Living life on-call is sometimes challenging (especially when you are a mother of 5.) I have left my own birthday celebration for births, skipped out on my kid’s 1st theater performance, and various other events. Sometimes this part of the job seems a bit too demanding, it’s not just my feelings after all… but I wouldn’t change it.

I.Love. What. I. Do.

McAllen Doula, Photos, and Video. Norma Hess Photography

Now, with that being said, I am human and I do need to recharge and refuel to keep going. This month, I had the opportunity to see one of my favorite bands in concert while visiting Austin, Texas. Jukebox the Ghost was in town and I didn’t want to miss it… my March mama was aware of my plans and she was totally understanding (thanks Emilie!)

I made sure I left a solid plan behind and had a wonderful team to help me out in the event Emilie went into labor while I was out of town. Their support was so comforting, I always want to make sure my clients are in good hands and building these backup photography relationships is so important.

Road trip for the family and me! Norma Hess Photography McAllen, Texas

I spent the weekend with my siblings, laughing, eating all the vegan treats I could find, and laughing some more. Then we jammed to the beat of The Mowgli’s and Jukebox the Ghost at the Empire in Austin. All in all, it was a pretty fantastic weekend and I feel recharged and ready to be on-call again. I treasure this amazing family of mine as I’m sure you will treasure your family as it grows… Life is incredible.

Here’s a glimpse of my concert weekend! (Also, I totally learned that concert photography is not my jam. I’m more of a live-in-the-loud-bumping-base-moment kind of person.)

I hope you enjoy this tiny glimpse into my life! If want to say hi, book a session, or explore the booking process, Click HERE. I can’t wait to meet you and help you document your story.

Tommy Siegel performing with Jukebox The Ghost at the Empire in Austin, TX | Photo by Norma Hess Photography
Ben Thronwill performs with Jukebox The Ghost at the Empire in Austin, Texas | Photo by Norma Hess, McAllen Event Photographer
The Mowgli’s join Jukebox The Ghost on stage to sing “We are the champions.” 3/2/2019 at the Empire in Austin, Texas. Making Friends Tour 2019 | Photo by Norma Hess McAllen, Texas Photographer