Pronouns: Liam (he/him) and Duane (they/them)
When Liam told me that they were expecting their second child and wanted to do a pregnancy shoot with me, I was SO honored!! I have been looking forward to this shoot for months! It was magical to document the love that Liam and Duane have for each other and their growing family (three year old stayed home!) I am excited to share it!
Liam is in the Monacan Indian Nation in VA. He identifies as a Trans Man and Two Spirit.
The paint on Liam's belly is the Medicinal Wheel, sometimes known as the Sacred Hoop, has been used by generations of various Native American tribes for health and healing. It embodies the Four Directions, as well as Father Sky, Mother Earth, and Spirit Tree- all of which symbolize dimensions of health and the cycles of life.
The painted arrows and Liam's tattoo is the Monacan Indian Nation tribal sign.
The red handprint across their mouths indicates solidarity with missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in North America.
Painting: Ben Butler