Shaena's Pregnancy | Maternity Photos | 8 Weeks to 40 Weeks

if you’re new here, meet Shaena Elize, my best friend in the world, the person that’s been around for it all. i’ve spent minutes typing and deleting sentences about who she is and the type of true friendship and love she embodies and offers to those close to her, but it really doesn’t feel like enough. there’s nobody better suited for motherhood than Shaena, and it’s my favorite version of her to have the honor of knowing. her pregnancy was so beautiful, and i’m so thankful to share these memories that came and went in the blink of an eye. I brought my camera to her apartment early last year when she was around 8 weeks pregnant. she made tea and we laughed about how much she felt like she was pushing her stomach out and how she’s actually growing a person in there.

spring rolled around and we were itching for sun on our skin and fresh air. Shaena was around 20 weeks at this point, and had just shared that she’d be having a boy (not pictured: me crying every time we took photos).

i’m, again, trying to type coherent sentences about Shaena — what she embodies, who she is, what she stands for — and I am failing. she’s the most grounded person I know. she’s more empathetic than anyone i’ve ever met, she’s in tune with herself in ways I didn’t even know existed, she’s kind and loving, she’s constantly learning and growing and healing, she’s a teacher and a student, and she accepts her natural self. she’s a home with open arms. it’s hard to capture all of those things through photos, but I need to make sure the world knows what’s trying to be conveyed in these still moments. truly a goddess and a light, and glowing through every single second of growing this baby.

these were around 34 weeks, taken at her mom’s house. natural, close to earth, grounded, peaceful.

the moments before their baby joined them earthside. Shaena and Hoza were packing their hospital bag, putting together the crib, and wanting to remember these slow, easy days. I snuck into their apartment for a cozy in home maternity session around 38/39 weeks.

little man gave mama one last studio session before he made his arrival <3 me, still sobbing, still no words. really not trying to be dramatic, just truly so thankful to be here