77 Comments

1. 

   Emme on July 13, 2009 at 10:14 PM

   o.m.g!! Look at the shadow behind that magical moment! Unbelievable photo! What an incredible moment you have captured here!

2. 

   Camilla on July 13, 2009 at 10:37 PM

   Fantastic photo!

3. 

   jen berry on July 13, 2009 at 10:52 PM

   wow. i think this is one of the most joyous pictures i have ever seen

4. 

   melody on July 13, 2009 at 11:16 PM

   Oh rapture…and gimme that T-shirt.

5. 

   Ange on July 13, 2009 at 11:49 PM

   I’m delurking to say – fabulous shot! Who wouldn’t be smiling after seeing it. Great capture!

6. 

   Rach on July 14, 2009 at 2:53 AM

   Beautiful.

7. 

   Lucia on July 14, 2009 at 3:05 AM

   The most amazing photo I have seen for a while. I love it. Bless little Ben 🙂

8. 

   bella on July 14, 2009 at 4:24 AM

   What a cutie! He is rockin’ out and loving it.
   Thanks for sharing.

9. 

   wendy on July 14, 2009 at 5:08 AM

   beautiful!
   xo

10. 

    vivienne on July 14, 2009 at 6:14 AM

    go ben!
    i love this!!!
    and that quote and it completely embodies how NIA has changed my life. that is exactly where i go when i dance and no matter how i may have been feeling before i danced, i leave changed.

11. 

    Val on July 14, 2009 at 6:27 AM

    Oh – the dances that they do – uninhibited beauty! If we could all keep part of that would it not be wonderful!

12. 

    cjh on July 14, 2009 at 7:01 AM

    Seriously? Could you take better photos? This is awesome.
    Also? I’m loving the cupcakes/cupcake flags from the previous post.

13. 

    Jummy on July 14, 2009 at 7:19 AM

    This beautiful picture makes my heart happy.
    It’s lovely to see Ben enjoying life.

14. 

    stef on July 14, 2009 at 8:43 AM

    such a great photo – capturing something mid-dance! perfection 🙂
    xo

15. 

    heather on July 14, 2009 at 8:59 AM

    Yah Ben!! I squealed outloud at this photo and such a great quote. You captured this so beautifully. Cutness overload!

16. 

    Jennifer on July 14, 2009 at 9:09 AM

    I LOVE this picture!!! It does look like he’s rockin’ out in the way that only 2 year olds can do (though I guess he’s 2 and a half now, right?

17. 

    Shelley Noble on July 14, 2009 at 9:10 AM

    Brilliant photo, Andrea. Ben has genuine line in the movement. And the quote knocked my socks off, sent it to Paul.

18. 

    Sarah on July 14, 2009 at 9:12 AM

    I love everything about this picture but I think the Beatles shirt is the best part!

19. 

    Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams on July 14, 2009 at 9:39 AM

    Love this – the shadows, the light, the expression, the quote – everything.

20. 

    kelly rae on July 14, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    my new fave pic of ben!!!

21. 

    Yolanda on July 14, 2009 at 10:39 AM

    That makes my heart smile in a thousand different directions. Spend the money. Blow this one up and frame it. Put it in the busiest room in your house. You will never regret looking at this image every day.

22. 

    nina on July 14, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    Seeing him makes my heart dance! I love this picture…

23. 

    celisa on July 14, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    i LOVE it!!! probably one of my fav pics of ben so far. just a great photo all around. my heart swells 🙂

24. 

    Kristy on July 14, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    This image just filled my soul with absolute joy. Thank you for sharing.

25. 

    Kristy on July 14, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    This image just filled my soul with absolute joy. Thank you for sharing.

26. 

    Kristy on July 14, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    This image just filled my soul with absolute joy. Thank you for sharing.

27. 

    catherine on July 14, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    Instant good mood.

28. 

    Honey on July 14, 2009 at 1:31 PM

    What I ask is better than this?? I really love the shadow part too. I think of Peter Pan’s shadow. Unadulterated joy. Thanks for sharing all the loveliness.

29. 

    Leslie on July 14, 2009 at 1:46 PM

    oh. so made me smile today. love the t-shirt too.

30. 

    Connie on July 14, 2009 at 2:40 PM

    what an awesome picture. What a treasure…

31. 

    Trude on July 14, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    Wow. Talk about a frameable keepsake! That should totally be up on your wall! 🙂

32. 

    Laura on July 14, 2009 at 4:13 PM

    look at him– a sweet little wisp of a boy, he looks like he is about to fly up into the air, perch in a tree and giggle down at you 🙂
    SUCH an awesome shirt! My partner and I were saying the other day that if we ever become pregnant, we’re totally pressing earphones to my belly & playing beatles songs.. (and some joni mitchell- the grass at the roadside in this shot makes me think of prairies, and for some reason joni and prairies are linked in my mind)

33. 

    Wanda on July 14, 2009 at 5:13 PM

    Dance on, little dude. Wonderful moving picture.

34. 

    Sarah on July 15, 2009 at 7:00 AM

    I truly adore this picture. Ben’s expression and movement are so perfectly joyful, and I love how his little dance-partner shadow looks like it’s taking flight in the background! 🙂

35. 

    Sarah on July 15, 2009 at 7:00 AM

    I truly adore this picture. Ben’s expression and movement are so perfectly joyful, and I love how his little dance-partner shadow looks like it’s taking flight in the background! 🙂

36. 

    Rae on July 15, 2009 at 9:04 AM

    Oh, Jen, what a beautiful, lovely picture. I think I will go and dance a little myself now, though it’s night here and I will be dancing under the stars.

37. 

    jenn on July 15, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    I just adore this picture. I look at it all the time because it just brings instant joy into my life. Rock out Ben!

38. 

    crissy on July 15, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    oh lovely! i also love how this is a family photo of sorts, assuming the other 2 shadows are you and matt. i want to dance with ben too!

39. 

    Dreaming Bear on July 15, 2009 at 3:10 PM

    This is such a captivating photo! So joyful!

40. 

    Blisschick on July 15, 2009 at 3:48 PM

    What a beautiful photo and I LOVE the quote. Thank you! My dancer-self thanks you. 🙂

41. 

    hippittee on July 15, 2009 at 3:49 PM

    love the shirt and how it complements the content of the photo~

42. 

    Blisschick on July 15, 2009 at 3:50 PM

    What a beautiful photo and I LOVE the quote. Thank you. My newly rediscovered dancer-self thanks you. 🙂

43. 

    michelle y. on July 15, 2009 at 7:22 PM

    Oh Andrea! This photo made my day!

44. 

    Rebecca. on July 15, 2009 at 8:13 PM

    Remember when he was just a hope? Just a dream and a wish your heart was yearning for?
    What joy he projects…..

45. 

    Rebecca. on July 15, 2009 at 8:13 PM

    Remember when he was just a hope? Just a dream and a wish your heart was yearning for?
    What joy he projects…..

46. 

    jakki on July 16, 2009 at 7:10 AM

    Good Lord that is some pure joy there!! I love to SEE that in pictures…

47. 

    megan on July 16, 2009 at 7:40 AM

    Where did that quote come from? LOVE the picture!

48. 

    Caroline on July 16, 2009 at 7:41 AM

    Such a great photo! And I love the quote 🙂

49. 

    maile on July 16, 2009 at 9:57 AM

    that is the BEST! love love love!!

50. 

    Todd on July 16, 2009 at 1:56 PM

    That looks similar to my son Jack’s dance…we call it “Jelly Legs” Awseome!

51. 

    Jacki on July 16, 2009 at 2:38 PM

    He’s adorable!
    (This photo is amazing, breathtaking and spiritual all in one. This is the second time I’ve come to look at it. I wish I could capture that freedom and happiness and share it with the world. So very awesome!)

52. 

    Sam on July 17, 2009 at 6:38 AM

    An amazing shot, Andrea! It captures Ben’s utter joy in movement, and I love his hair ruffled by the wind. I know that my own son’s dancing brings me SUCH joy and laughter. Two year olds of the world, dance your bootys off!

53. 

    suganthi on July 17, 2009 at 7:20 AM

    Amazing.
    And I love to dance and spin on my feet.
    xo!

54. 

    Julia on July 17, 2009 at 7:36 AM

    Ben couldn’t look more “joyful and whole” than in this picture!
    Thanks for sharing this image of your beautiful, dancing boy.
    🙂

55. 

    Surcie on July 17, 2009 at 9:19 AM

    Looks like he’s thriving in every way!

56. 

    yasmine on July 17, 2009 at 11:54 AM

    and the figures on the Beatles tshirt are dancing right along with him! oh, this photo makes me smile so much =)
    and look at leaping, dancing SHADOWS! =)

57. 

    Puanani on July 17, 2009 at 6:04 PM

    Oh, my. How do I love him. Let me count the ways. We drove through San Francisco and Berkley a few days ago and I saw a body of water and walking path. I thought, “I wonder if this is the path Ben dances on…” We also hit the Cafe Gratitude, my daughter wouldn’t order anything!

58. 

    shona on July 18, 2009 at 7:37 PM

    that is an amazing photo! i love it, as well as the quote. i hope you’re having a fantastic heart-full weekend! : )

59. 

    jen gray on July 20, 2009 at 6:12 AM

    one of my most favorites! xo

60. 

    gfbgf on July 20, 2009 at 10:12 AM

    v

61. 

    Teresa on July 20, 2009 at 8:20 PM

    Hi Andrea,
    I just LOVE your blog, your photography…your stories about Ben… You have inspired me to start my own blog featuring my twin daughters. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind emailing me to give me some advice? Help me with a few hesitations I am haivng?
    Thanks!
    Teresa

62. 

    Valentina on July 21, 2009 at 7:37 AM

    This is the first time I comment here 🙂 I *LOVE* your work 🙂 And this picture makes me sooo happy! Thanks~Thanks for sharing

63. 

    Valentina on July 21, 2009 at 7:37 AM

    This is the first time I comment here 🙂 I *LOVE* your work 🙂 And this picture makes me sooo happy! Thanks~Thanks for sharing

64. 

    Juneau.Eco.Mommie on July 21, 2009 at 10:21 PM

    stinkin’ adorable

65. 

    Imelda on July 22, 2009 at 5:48 AM

    I said it out loud as soon as I saw this: Oh Wow! This is such a beautiful, beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing it!

66. 

    dani keith on July 22, 2009 at 11:23 AM

    pictures of ben and his pure joy always make me smile. thank you for sharing!!

67. 

    Sheri on July 22, 2009 at 8:35 PM

    so in luh-uv with this photo!

68. 

    Eve on July 23, 2009 at 7:56 AM

    I just love this pic!
    Wonderful (even the shirt is perfect)!!
    eve

69. 

    Leah on July 23, 2009 at 3:01 PM

    Oh, this picture is such a delight! Love it!

70. 

    celeste on July 24, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    oh, we miss the cesar chavez park walk … feeding the marmots peanuts and the waves crashing on the rocks. the kite flying. (sigh)

71. 

    amanda on July 25, 2009 at 1:54 AM

    such an amazing photo!

72. 

    victoria on July 28, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    This is one of the best photos I have seen. Such an amazing capture of joy and freedom. Thank you for sharing it.

73. 

    victoria on July 28, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    This is one of the best photos I have seen. Such an amazing capture of joy and freedom. Thank you for sharing it.

74. 

    bianca on July 28, 2009 at 8:30 PM

    andrea, hello.
    this image is quite possibly my favorite of ben. what a magical moment you captured. joyful, youthful, full of abandon. fantastic.

75. 

    Carol Wiebe on July 30, 2009 at 6:44 AM

    As the Beatles sang, “I’m happy just to dance with you.”
    For Ben, that statement can be made even more succint: “I’m happy just to dance,” or even “I’m happy.”
    What a photo and what an expansive spirit in such a small package.

76. 

    Sue on August 1, 2009 at 10:57 AM

    Love this photo!!

77. 

    Melissa on August 11, 2009 at 7:32 AM

    joyful and serene.