Leslie Nice, Bentonville Birth Photographer

As a Bentonville birth photographer, being invited into a birthing space is always an honor. However, there’s something extra special about capturing a home birth. The intimacy, the raw power, the quiet strength—it never stops amazing me.

This baby was ready.

He had officially taken his sweet time, making his arrival five days past his due date, so I knew I could get the call any moment. When I finally saw the text from mama at 12:45 a.m., I jumped out of bed and was on my way within minutes. I arrived at 1:05 a.m., stepping into a world that felt warm and sacred. The house was dark except for the soft glow of the fireplace and flickering candles on the mantle, where handwritten birth affirmations were tucked between them. I heard only a few sounds: mama’s steady, deep moans and the rhythmic whooshing of water as dad gently poured cup after cup over her back. The room pulsed with anticipation—baby was so, so close.

I took a quiet step inside, trying to blend into the space. The birth team was already there—mama, dad, the midwife, and her assistant. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement. A rabbit! A literal rabbit, slowly making its way down the hallway. It was as if she, too, had been summoned to witness this moment. Not long after, two sleepy-eyed siblings appeared in the shadows, drawn by the sound of their mother’s labor.

The energy in the room was powerful. Mama was fully in her zone. Within minutes of my arrival, her body surrendered to the final waves of labor. Kneeling over the tub, she worked through the last moments, and then—just like that—baby slipped into the water. No chaos, no rush, just peace. She reached down and lifted her baby to her chest, leaning back in pure relief.

Tears. Deep breaths. That beautiful mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.

Dad stood quietly by, steady and present, giving mama space for her first moments with their baby. He peeled off his shirt—an experienced dad who already knew what to do—ready for his own skin-to-skin time when the moment was right. A third sleepy-eyed sibling appeared from down the hallway. Meanwhile, their oldest son instinctively stepped forward, grasping his mother’s hand as she worked to deliver the placenta, offering comfort without hesitation. A protector already. He also kept running back and forth to the dryer, warming fresh towels. That’s one of those little details I know this family will treasure forever.

And then, there was baby. So calm. He let out a few cries to tell us he was here, but he mostly just melted into his mama’s chest, listening to her voice and heartbeat like he’d known them forever. Because, of course, he had.

One of my favorite things about home births is how normal they feel.

The babies stay with their mamas as long as they want. There’s no rush to weigh them, no unnecessary interventions—just warmth, familiarity, and the deep, natural instinct to stay close.

Of course, even in the most sacred moments, real life sneaks in—and mama was hungry. Later, she admitted that in those final, intense contractions, all she could think about was what she wanted to eat when it was over. And as she finally climbed into her own bed, she looked around, eyes wide, and laughed: “Oh my gosh. I have four babies now. There is this one with me, and there are still three more out there.”

I could have stayed there forever, soaking it all in—the flickering candlelight, the hushed voices, the way this little one’s entrance into the world felt so effortless and yet so monumental at the same time.

This birth was peaceful, powerful, and sacred. And more than anything, I hope these images make this family feel empowered. Because what I witnessed that night? That was strength.

Capturing the Power of Birth | Bentonville Birth Photographer

And as a Bentonville birth photographer, my goal is to help families see their own strength—to capture the raw emotion, connection, and beauty of their journey.

If you’re expecting and want your birth story documented, let’s connect! Whether you’re planning a home birth, hospital birth, or birth center experience, I’d love to create images that you’ll treasure forever.

📩 Inquire today about your Bentonville birth photography experience.

Midwife: Lucy Ferguson