Zoe, Jesse, Live Oak Park, Berkeley, CA, Canon Rebel Xti

One of the things I love most about doing portrait sessions is the way I get to fall in love with the people I’m photographing. How often do you get to look, really look at people you don’t know? It is such a gift to see someone, to watch them unfold before you, to see beauty that perhaps you didn’t notice at first, but appears in luminous little sparks as you witness them move and giggle and get shy and stand strong.

Maternity sessions are a particular favorite for me. It is such a ripe, sacred time and it is such an honor to be part of their ritual and their celebration. When I’m really lucky (which is often) I witness an incredible love and connection between two people. My lens goes a little foggy from being moved by their joy, their romantic connection, their profound safety in being near one another. While photographing Zoe and Jesse, I was struck by this over and over again. Every once in a while I would direct them to put their heads together, and without fail I would see this incredible sweetness. “Something amazing happens when you put your heads together!” I shouted to them across the green grass. If I remember correctly, they nodded yes, yes… we know.

Zoe, Jesse, Berkeley, CA, Canon Rebel Xti

Zoe, Jesse, Berkeley, CA, Canon Rebel Xti

Zoe, Jesse, Berkeley, CA, Canon Rebel Xti

Zoe, Jesse, Marina, Berkeley, CA, Canon Rebel Xti

Belly and a bald head, Live Oak Park, Berkeley, CA, Canon Rebel Xti

ultrasound, two heads, Canon Rebel Xti

You should also know that Jesse is a knitter (a boy who knits!) and made that incredible green sweater that Zoe is wearing. You can find his blog here. Also, there are two babies in that big belly! They are expecting twins. Congratulations Zoe and Jesse! and thank you for the honor of letting me photograph you.