I can’t wait for you all to meet this stunning and inspiring family! We had to postpone our session two times over the course of a year since last June, but the third time was the charm and so worth the wait. It couldn’t have been a more perfect evening for their photos in the Columbia Gorge. Although I so wish I could have met little Nawai when she was just a wee little babe, seeing her prance and run in the wild grass with her jovial big sister Ilikai was so absolutely delightful. Mercedes and Maile are their beautiful moms who are about to celebrate 6 years married. It was so much fun to explore this beautiful place at sunset and certainly worth keeping the kids up a little past their bedtime to get that magical, soft golden light.
I love how unique this loving family is and how they just shine with such positive energy. Mercedes and Maile both experienced the journey of pregnancy and childbirth, Mercedes carried Illikai and Maile carried Nawai. They each experienced wildly different pregnancies and deliveries, and they were there for each other every step of the way. What an incredible bond they are share!
Before our session they had just finishing wrapping up a big fundraiser for Don’t Shoot PDX, with a portion going to to Breonna Taylor GoFundMe, which has already raised over 6 million dollars for her family. Mercedes is a baker (check out her cookie business ohanabakes.com!) who tirelessly made over 600 cookies and ending up raising about $12,000 in 2 days! It’s been an emotional month filled with wildly powerful Black Lives Matter protests and the beauty of Pride too. These kiddos are so lucky to have these women as mothers. As a family they are unstoppably kind, so loving, and proud of what they have created and stand for. I feel lucky to know them now too.
