the tao of motherhood

"giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue."

I've been wanting to photograph Hannah's tattoo ever since she got it. I wish I had had more time to thoughtfully put this shoot together, but the two of us chatted the day away as usual so I was only left with a small amount of time before I had to head home. I'm pretty awed by the few images I was able to capture though. They take my breath away, and not because it's my photography, but because Hannah exudes the strength and beauty that only a mother goddess can possess. I am so inspired by her approach to pregnancy, birthing and mothering....and I am so thankful I have been able to watch her go through it, because I feel all the more prepared to become a mother myself having her experiences and philosophies to reflect on. And the deep black words tattooed on her porcelain back give me even more to aspire to when the time comes.