Newborn Rescued During Harvey Poses For Photos On Boat That Saved Her Family

Caroline Bologna

Hope Chimeno was only 10 days old when she and her family were rescued from their home in Orange, Texas during Hurricane Harvey.

As their street flooded and water creeped up toward the house, the Chimenos got on a rescue boat thanks to the Cajun Navy, who brought them to a shelter to Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Once they were safe and dry with a volunteer host family, baby Hope took some special newborn photos in honor of their rescue.

(Photo: Noelle Mills Photography)
(Photo: Noelle Mills Photography)

Photographer Noelle Mills took the photos of baby Hope on the very boat that rescued her family. Noelle told HuffPost she is friends with Cris and Clint Sanford, the two men who rescued the Chimenos.

When they got to Lake Charles, Cris’ wife, Katy, asked Hope’s mom, Emily, if she’d taken any newborn photos of her daughter.

Emily said they only had a few photos from the hospital, so Katy texted her friend, Noelle, to set up a professional session. “I knew immediately I wanted to donate the session to them,” the photographer told HuffPost. “Katy also mentioned it would be neat to use the boat, and that’s when my mind started racing.”

(Photo: Noelle Mills Photography)
(Photo: Noelle Mills Photography)

Though Noelle had not met the Chimeno family until the day of the shoot, she said they had a wonderful time together. “They are such a sweet family,” she said.

“I also know this is something the family will remember forever,” she added.

As the storm raged, the Chimeno family stayed with Melissa Viator, a volunteer who spotted them at the shelter in Lake Charles and opened her home to them.

In the aftermath, they learned their house was spared.

“They were one of the very few fortunate ones!” said Noelle. “They are back home now and trying to pick up the pieces and adjust to a life with three little ones at home.”

Noelle shared Hope’s newborn photos with the Facebook page Love What Matters, where they received more than 30,000 likes.

She told HuffPost she wants the images to share a simple (and fitting) message: Hope. “I also hope people see the unity of state neighbors and the message of HOPE!” Noelle said.

The photographer also emphasized the importance of volunteering and helping others.

“I am in probably the busiest season of my life. I am a wife, mother, I work a public relations job, and do photography on the side. I also just started college at 32,” said Noelle. “My whole point in saying that is that you are never too busy to stop what you’re doing and help someone out.”

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People begin cleaning up the damage to their homes after torrential rains caused widespread flooding during Hurricane Harvey.
People begin cleaning up the damage to their homes after torrential rains caused widespread flooding during Hurricane Harvey.
A Dickinson resident hugs a friend who came to help her remove possessions damaged due to flooding.
A Dickinson resident hugs a friend who came to help her remove possessions damaged due to flooding.
Floodwaters have receded from this home, but the damage is done.
Floodwaters have receded from this home, but the damage is done.
Family members remove debris and damaged items from their father's home.
Family members remove debris and damaged items from their father's home.
Volunteers from Performance Contractors help co-worker Cornell Beasley clear up the damage to his home.
Volunteers from Performance Contractors help co-worker Cornell Beasley clear up the damage to his home.
People in face masks begin cleaning out their property.
People in face masks begin cleaning out their property.
Books, furniture and other belongings are set to dry outside.
Books, furniture and other belongings are set to dry outside.
Lorenzo Salina helps a neighbor remove damaged walls.
Lorenzo Salina helps a neighbor remove damaged walls.
Volunteers and students from C.E. King High School help to clean up the school.
Volunteers and students from C.E. King High School help to clean up the school.
Debris and possessions are piled at the curb.
Debris and possessions are piled at the curb.
Bryan Parson (left), Chris Gaspard (center) and Derek Pelt (right) remove ruined items from Parson's home.
Bryan Parson (left), Chris Gaspard (center) and Derek Pelt (right) remove ruined items from Parson's home.
Volunteers place water damaged school furniture and text books on the front lawn of C.E. King High School.
Volunteers place water damaged school furniture and text books on the front lawn of C.E. King High School.
Lillie Roberts talks with family members on the phone as contractor Jerry Garza begins the process of repairing her home.
Lillie Roberts talks with family members on the phone as contractor Jerry Garza begins the process of repairing her home.
Cornell Beasley joins other residents as they dry and toss out their possessions.
Cornell Beasley joins other residents as they dry and toss out their possessions.
Furniture that was destroyed in the flood is piled on the side of the street.
Furniture that was destroyed in the flood is piled on the side of the street.
A man power-washes the driveway of his once flooded home.
A man power-washes the driveway of his once flooded home.
Stacey House holds up her daughter's volleyball portrait, which was damaged during the hurricane.
Stacey House holds up her daughter's volleyball portrait, which was damaged during the hurricane.
Willy Coronado helps a neighbor to clean a house.
Willy Coronado helps a neighbor to clean a house.
Missy Givens inspects the water level in her home.
Missy Givens inspects the water level in her home.
People try to repair a truck that was submerged in floodwater.
People try to repair a truck that was submerged in floodwater.
Derek Pelt removes a wall at his friend Bryan Parson's house.
Derek Pelt removes a wall at his friend Bryan Parson's house.
People on cleanup duty look around a damaged property.
People on cleanup duty look around a damaged property.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.