**There is skin showing in this post. If you are at all uncomfortable with the pregnant female form look away now.**
As I referenced in the post about Emily‘s goodbye, the morning after the beach we hiked into the field near my house. Weeks before, she had sent me a link to an image of a pregnant woman, sitting topless and serene on a tree stump in the forest. This was what she wanted. Living here in Orange County, forests are in limited supply, so I never thought we could pull it off.
Until I stumbled upon the most amazing spot just days before during another maternity session. I had been to this field many, many times with my family and clients and had never seen the base of any of the large oak trees until that day. When I saw it, I almost peed my pants. You just don’t find things like this here. And to think golf balls pepper the thick leafy brush beneath the tree because the field is directly neighboring a golf course!
As we walked up with the girls and our stuff, we were both huffing and puffing in the heat. It was a very hot morning, already 85 degrees at 8am. The sun was high and bright, and I was not feeling the love for the light or the environment. I am usually in the field at sunset. The colors are dramatically different at sunset. I was shocked to find that during the brightness of the day my magical little field looked like crap.
We hoofed it over and through the weeds and came to the tree. It is hiding, you really have to look for it. We ducked under the scratchy branches and into the shade. I hoped that it was going to be as amazing for her as it was to me.
Guess what? It was.
xo
Tara
loving these! top left..my fave!
Oh so beautiful.
wow. i’m sure babies could be birthed in those branches. there is such a tranquility that you’ve portrayed in these images. So loved.
GORGEOUS!! All of them are truly beautiful, as is Emily. ♥
Gorgeous photos!!!! The very first one is my fav =)
incredible. love them so. i know you miss her already. hugs, deb
These are beautiful. Tasteful and totally stunning.
These are stunning, Tara! Love them all!
Just beautiful-the photography and the subject!! Lovely and inspiring!
absolutely stunning photos – everything is perfect about them!
beautiful
These images are stunning. You really have captured the true beauty of pregnancy here. They are so lovely and serene.
Beautiful!! :) Not nearly as *scary* as your warning implied. ;) haha!!
seriously these are so perfect and they capture Emily so well, truly stunning!
corinnexxx
Breathtakingly beautiful.
Beautiful…I think you have captured an essence of Emily that can’t be put into words….but can be caught like a fleeting firefly..in a photo…rather than a jar.
gorgeousness at it’s finest. nice work friend!
very tasteful and lovely!
wowza! She looks stunning, and that tree is truly magical. Great job!
These are so beautiful!
Holy Cow! I wish I had looked this stunning when I was pregnant! Emily is so lucky to have a best friend who happens to be an amazing photographer. Bravo :)
Beautiful! Your photographs of Emily are always such a reflection of the relationship you share. You can just feel it by looking at them.
This is just so beautiful. Our bodies are the vessels of life and that was captured so lovingly. You can see the quiet pride in her at being a Mom. Blessings to your friend.
amazingly beautiful! em looks gorgeous!!!
These do look great.
These are amazing. So sad there will be snow on the ground here when my belly is big! *pout*
Beautiful.
Tara these pictures are amazing! Emily looks so beautiful!
Far from provocative, these images are the essence of beauty and need no warning. What an amazing gift you have given to your friend.. I write this with tear filled eyes. I know you miss her so much.. lucky you to have so many of the beautiful images you have taken of Em & family over the years to resource when your heart is aching. I’m certain they will pamper your tender spirit.. it’s what every photo is intended to do (remind us of each other and a treasured moment). xo
beautiful!!! e, the tree, and the photo!!
i am in love with the last picture. stunnning. her body is absolutely beautiful. smiles forever.
total earth mama!
love them!
they are so HER!
perfect!
tara
thank you everyone! as for the “disclaimer” at the top: rather than deal with a backlash of petty anonymous comments and emails from people slapping my hand for daring to put such an ‘inappropriate’ thing online, i put a teeny little warning. :) it is crazy that such a thing is necessary, but there you go.
What a beautiful Momma Miss Emily is!!!
While I dont know Emily very well at all.. only through her blog and yours this seems SO HER to me.. so beautiful Tara.. and I am like you typically a later in the day type of gal for shooting.
Oh, Tara! These are beautiful!!! I love the one where she is just lying there with her eyes closed. Truly peaceful…at one with nature and her baby. Stunning! Now, if I could have looked that good during my pregnancies, I might have decided to have another one! In no way, did I look like that! :D
lovely
Beautiful…tasteful…befitting of your subject. Sometimes a little shade is all we need for a great photo. BRAVO!
She seems to be at peace and in her element! NICE work, and such great talent.
wow wow wow! I like them all but the top left is so amazingly beautiful in every way. Her headband, her dreads, her incredible pregnant figure….SUCH a beautiful woman! You captured her!
oh my goddess! she looks like the most beautiful, perfect fairy nymph!
Simply breathtaking.
Thank you for sharing these images of Emily with us.
Emily is just so ZEN and gorgeous. You’ve captured your friend beautifully. Sigh. So perfect.
so serene, so lovely. how i wish i could have had just one beautiful portrait of myself when pregnant………..how i wish i could have been that comfortable in my own skin…….
I am so jealous. I have no photos of me pregnant. One of the few regrets I have in my life.
She is gorgeous. The tree is fabulous!!
Amazing. Simply amazing.
She looks beautiful! I am sure you are missing her. Hugs.
She couldn’t BE any more beautiful!!!!!
Loving that last one. She looks so peaceful and beautiful.
Ahhhhhhhh….
You did it again !!! INCREDIBLE IMAGES !!!
You make me feel soo emotive with this photos of Emily and her lovely belly !!!
Who can be disapointed by looking a bared pregnant belly????
Kisses from Bs As