{ Joyce | Maternity }

Joyce was one of my very best friends growing up. During snack breaks in high school, we used to buy Flaming Hot Cheetoes and eat them dipped in cream cheese (trust me, it’s the next best dipping combo after frosties & fries). We were tennis partners all 4 years & had a special tennis “high five” we’d do with our racquets whenever we scored. Not that we were actually very good. But that was the fun of it – because Joyce was, and always had been, about having fun and living in the moment.

I always admired that about her. That she was so carefree & laidback – that no matter how hard she worked, she never complained; that even when things were their hardest, she could always smile; that even when she was busy as could be herself, she always ALWAYS found the time to help a friend without a second thought. And because of these amazing qualities, qualities I can only wish I could so gracefully possess, I always knew she would make the absolute perfect mother. Of course her insane domestic abilities couldn’t hurt as well – her cooking, sewing, and crafting skills definitely put my I’m-just-trying-to-not-burn-the-toast self to shame.

About a year ago, when Joyce had just graduated from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Tokyo, I asked her what her plans were next. Working in a big name restaurant? Teaching cooking classes? Focusing on opening her own patisserie? She thought for a moment, smiled, and said, “I just want to be a mom…”

It is with an extremely happy heart that I share these photos of my friend in one of her most radiant times :)

I love how the recent rains resulted in the prettiest green fields…

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11 Responses to “{ Joyce | Maternity }”

  1. Christine Says:

    Love all of the shots! She looks beautiful. :] I love all of the different angles, too!

  2. Sandy Says:

    Awwww this maternity shoot is just beautiful! You can tell she is sooo happy to be pregos and just glowing!! Flaming cheetos dipped in cream cheese?!?! I have never heard of that before, but I am always up for trying new foods and I love both of those separately…. so I must try it haha!

  3. Andrea Says:

    I loved reading about your friendship with Joyce. It must have been so much fun photographing your best friend!

  4. jenn Says:

    your sweet intro couldn’t be more perfect and the photos are just gorgeous! you completely captured her in her element-mommyhood :) joyce, you look amazing!

  5. cindy Says:

    aww happiness! love you, love her <3

  6. Dandy Says:

    Ahhhhhhh!! Love them.

  7. Kim Says:

    Oh my…that intro brought tears to my eyes! What a beautiful tribute and the photos are lovely.

  8. Angela @ little room la Says:

    beautiful pictures~ and she definitely has that pregnancy glow!

  9. Ren Ren Says:

    Beautiful pictures!

    Flaming hot cheetos and cream cheese? That combo never even occurred to me during my cheetos addiction in high school.

  10. Dognbird Says:

    Love that this is your friend! She looks beautiful, you did an amazing job. Love the belly photos!

  11. Adrienne Gunde Photography | Los Angeles Orange County Wedding Photographer » Blog Archive » { mio + dave | ponte winery wedding photos } Says:

    […] winter evening in Brentwood. It wasn’t our first time meeting – her sister-in-law (hi Joyce!) is one of my closest friends and Mio and I were bridesmaids together in Joyce’s wedding. […]

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