Cycles of life

   This mama-to-be had a couple requests. The first was that I add something reflecting the cycles of life into her henna. I pondered on this for days, until I saw this swirling image - the wheel of the year, the spinning of time. In my mind I saw energies stretching up - the flower opening. I also saw energy heading down, back to the earth to be composted. I showed her an example when she arrived and added many flowery adaptations. 

  Her 2nd request was a Hamsa. The Hamsa is a protective symbol, and it also represents blessings, power and strength. I placed this on her hand so she could continue to see it when her belly was covered and remember her blessing. 

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This sweet mama-to-be returned a couple days later for photos. This is when the henna is peaking in color. Henna naturally stains the skin and then exfoliates away, with the design lasting 1 to 2 weeks. 

 It was cold - it’s winter in Colorado! There’s a wonderful little trail near my studio that we walked on, capturing her beauty with the winter landscape. 

#pregnancyphotography #maternityphotoshoot #henna #pregnantstyle #bouldercolorado #maternityphotographer #naturalhennastain #floral #hennabelly #maternityart #boulderhenna #bellyart #sarahkatebutterworth