06/19/2026
How old were you the first time you saw the sun? ☀️🌹🕊️
Baby Mabel was 5 months old the very first time her sweet face felt the Florida heat. With a timer set to 30 minutes, she was wheeled out of her hospital room surrounded by mom, dad, two incredible doctors on her team, and me (with a camera in hand).
For those 30 minutes, time slowed down. Mabel saw trees and flowers, heard bugs and bees, felt the sun and wind, and experienced the world outside her hospital room for the very first time.
I met Mabel’s mama and dada a few months back while standing in line at Target. I almost went through self-checkout, but instead found myself behind a young couple buying everything they needed for a new apartment. As the line grew longer, other customers moved to different registers, but I stayed. That small decision led me to overhear Mabel’s story.
Hanna and Mateo had moved their entire lives to Gainesville so Mabel could receive care at the children’s hospital. Their sweet girl was born with multiple life-threatening conditions and had spent her life within the walls of a hospital room. They had just been approved for an apartment nearby and were buying the essentials to finally make it feel like home.
Months later, one of my TikToks landed on Hanna’s FYP. I’m not even sure she knew I was a photographer when we met at Target. One DM later, and we were planning this session to capture Mabel’s first time outside, five months after she was born.
I’m so grateful I was able to document this moment (free of course). Every client who has trusted me over the years has made it possible for me to give back in small ways like this. My life is forever changed by this sweet family!
Learn more about Mabel’s diagnosis and journey over on her mama’s TikTok page @ hannalovecorreal
