“I’ve photographed this beautiful family every year since their first daughter was 1. Since then, I’ve been able to witness Natalia embrace the transition into motherhood with so much grace as she simultaneously nurtured her daughter and experienced the joy of her discovering the world while also embracing a new dimension of her own femininity as a mother. I feel so blessed to witness their vibrant warmth, loving atmosphere, and raw joy every time I capture their interactions. I can’t wait to see how their newest addition will continue to draw out the light and life in this sweet family!

“Motherhood can be at the same time such a natural state of womanhood but also a jarring experience navigating a newfound identity. On the one hand, maternal instincts kick in and the rhythms of your baby’s feedings and diaper changes become inseparable from your own biological rhythms. My oldest is 7 years old, and she asks me how I STILL know when she has to use the bathroom. On the other (and not talked about nearly enough), being a mother can often feel like being a fish out of water. I can’t describe the struggle and guilt I felt when I didn’t meet the cultural expectations of a mother. As an outlet for this tension, I picked up a camera and explored a previously untapped creativity that I never knew I had. Photographing motherhood holds such a dear place in my heart because I know that in the beautifully messy journey of each mother I photograph, there are seeds of dreams, purpose, and talent yet to be uncovered.” Dana, Photographer