When life unraveled, seemingly all at once, for Sumner County mom Stephanie Mullowney she made a choice that would define everything that followed, she chose hope.

More than a decade ago, Stephanie was pregnant with her daughter, Hannah Grace. The moment Hannah was placed in her arms, Stephanie knew her child had Down Syndrome. What followed was a flood of devastating news — including three holes in Hannah’s heart and grim predictions about her future. “They painted this dark, ugly picture,” Stephanie recalled. “They were predicting her future.”

Within days, Stephanie’s husband, struggling with addiction, left. Stephanie found herself a single mother, unemployed, without stable housing, and navigating terrifying medical appointments for her newborn. Doctors warned Hannah might not live past age three.

But Stephanie never saw her daughter as broken. 

Against the odds, Hannah’s story changed. The holes in her heart closed on their own and Leukemia was ruled out. Today, Hannah is a thriving 11-year-old who, as her mom proudly puts it, is “the healthiest person I know.”

As Stephanie rebuilt her life, an unexpected door opened. Her employer — a professional videographer — encouraged her to pursue photography after seeing the photos she took of Hannah. Hesitant but determined, Stephanie bought her first camera. The images she shared online quickly went viral.

“I started getting calls from everywhere,” she said. “People wanted to know why I was photographing people with special needs. I was like, ‘Why not?’”

That passion became Paperdolls Photography, a thriving business she launched in 2016. Stephanie became known for capturing the dignity, joy, and humanity of individuals with Down Syndrome and other disabilities — the very things she felt were missing from her own early experience.

“I didn’t want what happened to us to keep happening to other families,” she said. “Our babies are supposed to be welcomed into the world.”

Her work eventually grew into a book, Brand of Human, published in 2025. The advocacy book pairs Stephanie’s photography with stories that challenge misconceptions and celebrate differences. A portion of her proceeds supports Down Syndrome organizations nationwide.

In a remarkable full-circle moment, Stephanie and her husband later reunited after years of healing and forgiveness. Today, they travel together, using their story to advocate for others.

Looking back, Stephanie sees purpose in every painful chapter. “God’s timing is perfect,” she said. “Everything was orchestrated.”

From hardship to healing, Stephanie’s journey stands as a powerful reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, choosing hope can change everything.

To see more of Stephanie’s work, please visit PaperDollsPhotography.com to follow her work or book a session. You can also show your support by purchasing her book, Brand of Human. Buying the book directly through BrandOfHuman.com helps spread awareness, supports disability advocacy efforts, and allows Hannah Grace to personally sign each copy.