Milky Mermaid Mama

How lucky am I that one of my all time besties and lifelong soul sister not only is creating me a little niece or nephew, but also happens to be an astonishingly beautiful human inside and out- and the perfect model to help me bring some of my longtime photo-dreams to life!

Serena - thank you so much for decades of friendship and for paving the path to motherhood so gracefully and with such gentle wisdom and purpose. I can’t wait to be aunty to your angel bebe!

Photo from an impromptu bath time photo sesh with flowers from Kelly Day Flowers and lei po’o from Hawai’i Flora Fauna.

Those Who Take Care of Us

In some Native languages the term for plants translates to “those who take care of us.” - Robin Wall Kimmerer.

I love this quote so much. Plants truly do take care of us, from medicine to nutrients to oxygen and beyond… maybe that’s why we refer to Nature as a mother sometimes, she is constantly giving, sheltering, nourishing, and loving. Photos of Mama Hannah surrounded by mama Nature one day before little Leo love started his journey earth-side. So glad we got this waterfall jungle maternity photoshoot in before he decided to make his debut!

Hāpai Hannah

Maternity photoshoot on Maui, Hawai’i with Hannah and Len:

With creativity coursing through her veins and hands that paint with the beauty and depth of the ocean, Hannah weaves art into every facet of her life. When I found out that she was pregnant, I knew that she would treat pregnancy and motherhood with the same unique and beautiful artistic energy that she brings to all of her creations. Along with her loving wood working husband, this baby is truly in some of the most capable and creative hands.

…and speaking of hands, you NEED to check out Hannah’s insanely gorgeous rings, especially the stunning moonstone engagement ring she basically sketched into existence spontaneously during a vacation-turned-engagement-trip! See? She truly is a beautiful creator in countless ways! I can’t wait to meet their biggest little creation—-estimate completion date: mid-October (another lovely Libra is about to join our Libra Crew!)

Love Grows

I met Anna Comfort (her last name has since changed, however her sincere sweetness, intelligence, and beauty, has stayed just as true and undeniable as ever) at Gonzaga University. We were simply ‘friends-of-friends’ until we shared a triple bedroom while studying abroad in Florence, Italy (a triple bedroom that was probably originally intended to be a single or maybe a double). We got to know each other really well over that whirlwind semester. It was an unforgettable, monumental, epic adventure, but I know the one she is embarking on now is going to be the adventure of her lifetime.

Even in college, I always told her she was destined to be an amazing mom, one of those apple-pie-baking soccer-mom-van-driving insanely-beautiful moms (at least that was always the image in my head). She is one of those people who you just can’t help but love; someone who can restore your faith in humanity and the pure goodness of people. She brings a lightness and joy wherever she goes and cares so deeply and loves so truly. I can remember so many times she spoke about how excited she was to become a mom someday. I knew that her kids would be some of the luckiest kids on this earth, and finally, one of those lucky kids is about to join her earth-side.

Years after those college days full of classes and dreaming and talking of the future and endless possibilities, it was so sweet and special to be able to photograph Anna and her hubby Andy during this exciting time before their baby girl is born.

Maui Grown

Yesterday I got to photograph a glowing and pregnant Ari (and Jake’s hands, occasionally. Thanks for letting us use those rugged, farm-dirtied, model-hands for a few! Your hands are naturals.) It is pretty wild to see the woman I met as a girl back at Hebrew school (I dabbled for a minute) and danced alongside in high school (lies, she was way better than me) with a gorgeous baby bump, but honestly it looks so natural on her. When she giggles, her belly giggles, as if her baby is laughing along with her. It is pretty magical. Women are the coolest. They are the life-givers and creators. They are all my heroes.

Speaking of creators, Lauren of Hawai’i Flora Fauna created THE most mana-filled, epically stunning, all-native and foraged lei for Ari, and I’m so obsessed. She wove colorful pieces of Maui into wearable art - bright bursts of Ohia, lush Maile, Iliahi, Olapa, Palapalai, Ama’u, Mao, Ohelo, Pa’iniu, A’ali’i (do I sound super knowledgeable? Cool, because I definitely had to ask her for all the names. I really need to step up my native plant knowledge game).

Another creative lady who offered her talents is Kayla Shepherd. In ten minutes she accentuated Ari’s pregnancy-glow, utilizing her self-taught make-up skills to help this mama-to-be feel as feminine and beautiful as she truly is.

Collaborating with these Seabury Hall alumni ladies was so much fun and so inspiring. Girls, women, everyone—don’t forget that we are all stronger together. Let’s support each other, lift each other up, and help each other grow.

Anyways, mazel tov, Ari and Jake! You two are going to be such amazing parents, teachers, guardians, nurturers, and role models.