Kamdyn Renee Haney

Date: Wednesday, February 25th, 2026

Time: 3:06pm

Weight: 6lbs 9oz

Length: 18in

Some babies arrive quietly.

And some are waited for — through love, loss, and everything in between.

This is Kamdyn's story.

Katelyn's Journey to Kamdyn

Katelyn and I first connected over her need for newborn photos. Our conversation started with Kate's vision of how she wanted to represent Kamdyn; I remember her telling me she wanted to incorporate rainbows into her session because she was a double rainbow baby. This touched my heart - Katelyn and her partner Nate had previously lost two babies - the first at eight weeks gestation in March of 2024 and the second at seven weeks in August 2024.

"After the losses it was both physically and mentally difficult to process. I decided that I already had three beautiful, healthy daughters and thought that maybe I should appreciate what God had already blessed me with and that I didn't need "just one more" for me and Nate to have a complete family."

This broke my heart - not just because of the losses themselves, but because of everything that comes with them. The quiet grief, the unanswered questions, the way it changes how you see future pregnancies. Miscarriage isn’t just a moment, it’s something that lingers. It's something no-one should ever have to experience.

While Nate loves Kate’s girls as his own, they both longed for him to experience fatherhood from the very beginning - to feel every moment, from the first heartbeat to the first cry. To feel the anticipation. To witness the growth. To walk through every step of it together. After everything they had been through, that desire carried even more weight — not just to have a baby, but to fully experience the journey of bringing her into the world together.

It wasn't until about a year later that they learned they were expecting again.

“I just knew I was pregnant before even taking a test. We were incredibly happy, but I was also incredibly anxious because of the two miscarriages before. The relief I felt when we went in for my first sonogram and saw her little heartbeat was overwhelming. I just broke into tears as Nate held my hand.”

After talking more with Katelyn, I just knew I wanted to shoot her daughter's birth. We started discussing the possibility of this and began to make a game plan as she was scheduled for a c-section the very next week!

The Days Leading Up to Her Birth

Saturday, February 21st, sometime in the morning, I received a message from Katelyn letting me know she was experiencing high blood pressure and was on her way to the hospital to get checked out. This is where my heart started to panic a little bit. I was already at the hospital photographing another birth, and I immediately worried that Katelyn might need to be induced if she had preeclampsia. I found myself nervously continuing to shoot my client’s birth while constantly checking my phone, waiting for an update from her.

By around 3:00pm, my client’s birth was wrapping up, so I reached out to Katelyn to let her know I was available. I hadn’t heard from her all day, and I was really hoping everything was okay. She messaged me back and shared that she had just been checked into L&D, but thankfully, her blood pressure was already starting to come down. A couple of hours later, it had returned to normal, and she was able to go home - giving little Kamdyn just a bit more time to grow.

That Monday, Katelyn had her final check-in with her doctor and planned to discuss her wishes for birth photography. She was so excited when her doctor said yes. Having worked with me in the past, her OB felt comfortable knowing I was already familiar with the level of sterility required in the OR - something that brought Katelyn a lot of peace.

By Tuesday evening, Kate and I were finalizing arrangements for her scheduled C-section the next day. Her surgery was set for noon, so we planned for me to arrive and meet her at 11:00am. She shared that she was really hoping everything would go smoothly - no hiccups. But underneath that hope was a quiet anxiety. After experiencing miscarriage, that feeling never fully goes away - the fear that something could still go wrong, even when everything seems to be falling perfectly into place.

Arriving at the Hospital

When I’m not shooting sessions, I work as a scrub in surgery. My usual shifts are overnight, three days a week - so my plan was to go home, get a few hours of sleep, and then head back to the hospital to meet Katelyn. I always think I’m going to be able to sleep before something like this… But in reality, I’m way too excited to actually close my eyes. So instead, I laid in bed for a couple of hours, checking in with Katelyn and watching my phone, waiting for the time to pass. Eventually, I gave up on the idea of sleep, let the dogs out one more time, grabbed my camera bag, and headed to the hospital.

When I arrived, I was looking for room 220 - which just so happened to be right next to the operating suite. After knocking, I was welcomed inside by Katelyn and her partner, Nate. Even though we had never met in person before, it felt easy right away - she greeted me with such warmth (and of course, she was very clearly the pregnant one in the room).

Katelyn quickly introduced me to the other two women there - Nate’s mother, Michelle, and his grandmother, Renee. Renee, she told me, was someone incredibly special to her. “She is a saint of a woman - incredibly kind and selfless,” Katelyn said. “So I thought it would be fun to incorporate her name somehow.” She meant so much to Katelyn that her name would become Kamdyn's middle name.

Soon after I arrived, Katelyn’s sisters, Linda and Karrigan, came in to show their love and support. They brought a few gifts with them, and it was so fun getting to watch Katelyn open them. The most memorable, though, were the letters they had written for Katelyn and Nate to read before the birth of their daughter.

As she read through her letter, you could see the tears begin to well up in her eyes. More from these letters later, but Katelyn was so moved with emotion. She pulled her sisters in for hugs, and Nate did the same. It was such a simple moment, but one that felt incredibly meaningful - the kind you could feel in the room.

As things started to wind down, everyone grew a little restless waiting for the nurse to come get Katelyn. It was already about an hour past noon, and the nurse let us know there had been an emergency case downstairs in the main OR - which explained the delay. Thankfully, Katelyn had already been fully prepped for surgery - right down to the not-so-great pre-op drink for heartburn - so she was ready to go as soon as the doctors were ready for her.

To pass the time, the sisters sat together chatting, laughing, and playfully going back and forth. It was easy and natural - full of love. Nate eventually chimed in too, even climbing into the bed beside Katelyn as they all waited together for baby time.

The Wait Is Finally Over

At long last, Katelyn’s nurse walked in and asked the question everyone had been waiting for:

“Are you ready to have a baby?”

She stepped over to Katelyn, unhooked her IV from the fluid bags, and handed her a bouffant to put on. The room shifted instantly - this was it.

Katelyn said her final goodbyes to everyone in the room before turning to follow the nurse next door into the OR. Meanwhile, Nate was handed a white jumpsuit - what we like to call “bunny suits” - to wear over his clothes so he could enter the operating room. We snapped a few last-minute photos before he stepped out into the hallway, waiting for his turn to be brought back to Katelyn.

While we stood there, Nate asked what was happening inside the OR.

I explained that they would first place an epidural to keep her comfortable during surgery. Once that was complete, they would help her onto the operating table and begin prepping her with a sterile solution. The surgical team would then scrub in, gown up, and place sterile drapes around her abdomen. Once Katelyn was good and numb, her nurse would come bring us back.

The waiting felt long - even though it probably wasn’t. There’s something about standing outside those OR doors… knowing everything is happening on the other side, but not quite being there yet. Until finally - The doors opened.

A Look Inside Kamdyn's Birth

***Katelyn wanted to see and understand every part of Kamdyn’s birth story. Because of that, this section shares a more detailed look into the surgical side of a C-section. If you’re sensitive to medical procedures or feel that this may be too much, feel free to skip beyond the next few galleries.***

Once we were inside the operating room, Nate and I carefully made our way around the sterile setup, staying mindful of everything around us, and settled in at the head of the bed alongside anesthesia. From where I stood, I could see Katelyn clearly. She looked nervous - understandably so - and a little out of sorts. A cool washcloth rested across her forehead, and her eyes were welling with tears, though they hadn’t fallen yet.

As Nate and I got situated, the room grew quiet for a moment as the team performed what’s called a “time out.” This is something done before every surgical procedure - a final pause to confirm the patient, the procedure, and all critical details. Antibiotics are verified, risks are discussed, and every member of the team must agree before moving forward. It was a quiet pause - one last breath before everything changed. And just like that, the stillness was gone - the room transitioned from quiet to focused motion, and the procedure began.

Every surgical procedure starts with an incision. What makes a cesarean birth so unique is that there are multiple layers between the outside world and baby — seven, to be exact - each one carefully and intentionally navigated by the surgical team. I glance down at Katelyn. She was aware of what was happening, but she didn’t flinch. She was calm, supported, and comfortable under anesthesia - even as everything moved quickly around her.

The room shifted into a focused rhythm. The team worked efficiently, each step flowing seamlessly into the next. What might seem like a long, complex process is actually done in a matter of minutes. The doctors used a cautery device to carefully cut through the second layer of fat tissue. As you’ll see in the images below, clamps were then placed on the third layer, known as the fascia - a thick tissue that surrounds the muscles. These clamps help lift the tissue slightly, allowing for safe and precise dissection.

Katelyn’s fourth layer - her abdominal muscles - were aggressively stretched apart to expose the fifth layer, called the peritoneum. This is the layer that surrounds and protects the internal organs. Once the peritoneum was opened, a retraction blade was placed (visible in the gallery below) to hold the bladder safely out of the way, exposing the sixth layer - the uterus. Working quickly, the doctors made an incision into the uterus. And then finally, the seventh and final layer - the amniotic sac that surrounds baby - was opened.

As these final layers were reached, the energy in the room shifted. There was a sense of urgency now — not rushed, but purposeful.

It was time to meet baby.

With steady, practiced movements, the doctors worked to bring Kamdyn into the world. Firm pressure was applied to help guide her down toward the incision.

And then, just like that - She appeared. You can see her OB reaching into her uterus with her hands to grasp onto baby Kamdyn who lay nestled breech in her Momma's uterus. She came out bum first with her little legs cradling her face. It was one of those moments that feels both fast and surreal all at once.

From first incision to delivery, only about six minutes had passed.

But in that short time…

Everything changed.

Meeting Kamdyn for the First Time

A moment later, a faint but sharp cry filled the room - Kamdyn was making her appearance known. Katelyn’s doctor lifted her up, holding her just high enough for Katelyn and Nate to see her for the very first time. In a gentle, practiced motion, she cleared Kamdyn’s airway and lowered the special drape, revealing a clear layer that separated Katelyn from the surgical field. Then, carefully, she laid Kamdyn on Katelyn’s chest - allowing her to see and touch her baby for the very first time.

Katelyn and Nate were completely overcome with emotion. There is nothing quite like meeting your baby for the first time - it’s a moment that is both overwhelming and unforgettable. Tears welled in Katelyn’s eyes as she took her in. After this precious moment, the doctors clamped and cut Kamdyn’s umbilical cord before gently handing her off to the neonatal team for assessment.

Kamdyn was brought over to the radiant warmer - a small bed beneath a warming light - where the team began their initial checks. She was gently dried off, and a small monitor was placed on her finger to check her oxygen levels. She needed a little extra support at first, so she was given some oxygen to help her along.

Once her breathing stabilized, it was Nate’s turn to step in. He walked over to Kamdyn as she lay under the radiant warmer, an open bassinet with a heating lamp overtop. Just moments earlier, he had watched her be born - and now, this was his moment. The nurse handed him the scissors and guided him gently. With steady hands, Nate cut the remaining length of her umbilical cord - a small but powerful moment, marking the final step in separating her from Katelyn and the very beginning of his role in caring for her. It was simple but meaningful in a way that’s hard to put into words. His first act as her dad.

Kamdyn’s assessment continued as the nurse listened to her heartbeat and counted her pulse. Her reflexes were checked, along with her responses to stimulation - each step confirming that she was adjusting well to life outside the womb. Once she was finished, Kamdyn was wrapped in a clean blanket, a tiny hat placed on her head, and brought back to her momma for skin-to-skin.

The Golden Hour

Kate’s instincts as a mother took over instantly as she brought Kamdyn to her breast. For a brief moment, Kamdyn paused - adjusting to the world around her, taking it all in - and then, just as naturally, she latched. It was quiet. Gentle. Instinctive. The kind of moment that feels almost sacred.

Nate stood at the head of the bed, watching closely — taking in every second. The weight of everything they had just experienced seemed to settle all at once. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Katelyn’s forehead, lingering there for just a moment before staying close to both of his girls.

After some time, Kamdyn was taken to the warmer for another round of vitals. Her nurses carefully placed her identifying armbands, moving with quiet efficiency. Once she was in the clear — a strong heartbeat, steady breathing — she was wrapped snugly and placed into her daddy’s arms.

As he held her for the first time, Nate quietly shed a few tears, overcome with emotion. It was a moment that had already been put into words earlier that day, in a letter from Katelyn’s sisters:

"From the moment she wraps her tiny little fingers around yours, your world will change forever. You will be her safety, her strength, and an example of what unconditional love will look like... A daughter has a way of softening you and strengthening you at the same time. She will challenge you, teach you patience and show you a love that is so fierce and unconditional."

Kamdyn Meets Her Family

Once Katelyn was settled back in her room, it wasn’t long before the rest of the family began to arrive. Her sisters were the first to meet their niece — their excitement filling the room as they gathered close, eager to catch their first glimpse of her. Not long after, Nate’s mom and grandmother joined, completing the circle of people who had been waiting so patiently for this moment.

It's always a joyous moment watching everyone meet a new baby for the first time. Phones come out, photos are taken, and smiles spread across every face in the room. It's always one of those moments you wish you could freeze - where everything feels full, happy, and complete.

Katelyn spent a little more time feeding Kamdyn, soaking in those quiet, intimate moments, while Nate took his turn holding her close — already so naturally stepping into his role as dad.

One by one, each family member got their turn. Her sisters held her gently for the first time, followed by Nate’s mom and grandmother — each interaction filled with so much love, pride, and awe.

It was no longer just anticipation.

She was here.

A Story That Continues

Those first moments in the hospital were only the beginning.

In the hours that followed, and in the days after bringing Kamdyn home, their story continued to unfold - in quiet snuggles, soft stretches, and all the tiny details that make up those first days of life.

Getting to document not only her birth, but also her Fresh 48 and newborn sessions, meant capturing the very beginning of her story - from her very first breath to the moments her family settled into life with her.

In the word's of Katelyn's sister:

"Welcoming your fourth beautiful baby girl, your rainbow baby, feels like a miracle unfold in real time. After everything you have walked through, every tear, every prayer, every moment of strength you didn't even realize you had - bringing Kamdyn into the world feels like such a powerful reminder of hope, resilience, and God's perfect timing."

Kamdyn was long awaited and wished for. She is the rainbow after the storm in Katelyn and Nate's story. And while some might say this is the perfect ending - it's only the most precious beginning.