Moose, Spruce and Acorn
The process of getting a henna design is one of co-creation! I love listening to women tell me their ideas and then I allow them to spontaneously come together. This particular design took 3 hours to create, other designs take about 1 ½ to 2 hours.
After we discuss design ideas, women are welcome to dress up colorful silky things before we begin. The mama (or mama-to-be) sits in my special henna throne for adornment, relaxing with her feet up and pillows supporting her. I always take a moment to create sacred space and set intentions. Sometimes, this is the first ritual a woman has to honor her rite of passage. When the design is complete, I always take photographs in my home studio.
#ritual #sacredart #empoweringwomen #sacredspace #riteofpassage #bodyart #mothertobe #babybump #prenatalhenna #expectingmom #creativewomen #hennabelly #hennaartist #sarahkatebutterworth
I love it when mamas come to me with unique ideas! This mama was pregnant with her 3rd child, and told me her family has a tradition to name the fetus - the first unborn baby was referred to as Moose, the second as Acorn, and this little one is Spruce.
As soon as I heard this I started envisioning a mountain scene and I really love how it all came together! There was a lot of detail in this adornment, which took 3 hours to complete.
#moose #acron #spruce #fetusname #henna #bellyblessing #uniquehenna #maternityhenna #thirdtrimester #coloradohenna #pregnancyrituals #pregnancyart #hennapro #freehand #prenatal #sarahkatebutterworth
After this sweet mama’s henna adornment, we took a few photos in the studio. I’ve been collecting all kinds of beautiful silks and skirts for over decades now and I love this part of the session - the part that feels like dress-up. 20 years ago, my young daughters were dressing each other up in my many skirts and silks, and I credit them for encouraging me to dress up the lovely pregnant women that came into our home then.
#bumpstyle #pregnantandbeautiful #maternityportraits #boulderphotographer #henna #inspirepregnancy #bouldermaternityphotographer #bouldercolorado #maternityshoot #maternity #sarahkatebutterworth
This mama returned for a snowy photoshoot when her henna was peaking in color! The dark henna paste comes off after a few hours and then the design takes 2 or 3 days to come to it’s darkest color - which is different for each woman.
It was cold, and this mama wore her coat in between shots.
#coloradohenna #maternityphotography #pregnantbellyart #hennabelly #boulderhennaartist #boulderhenna #maternityart #babybumpart #hennamountain #pregnancyphotos #coloradomamas #sarahkatebutterworth
