Ben dancin


Ben dancing, Berkeley Marina, Canon Digital Rebel XSi

“While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole.”
– Hans Bos

      

77 Comments

  1. Posted July 13, 2009 at 10:14 pm | Permalink

    o.m.g!! Look at the shadow behind that magical moment! Unbelievable photo! What an incredible moment you have captured here!

  2. Posted July 13, 2009 at 10:37 pm | Permalink

    Fantastic photo!

  3. Posted July 13, 2009 at 10:52 pm | Permalink

    wow. i think this is one of the most joyous pictures i have ever seen

  4. Posted July 13, 2009 at 11:16 pm | Permalink

    Oh rapture…and gimme that T-shirt.

  5. Posted July 13, 2009 at 11:49 pm | Permalink

    I’m delurking to say – fabulous shot! Who wouldn’t be smiling after seeing it. Great capture!

  6. Posted July 14, 2009 at 2:53 am | Permalink

    Beautiful.

  7. Posted July 14, 2009 at 3:05 am | Permalink

    The most amazing photo I have seen for a while. I love it. Bless little Ben :)

  8. bella
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 4:24 am | Permalink

    What a cutie! He is rockin’ out and loving it.
    Thanks for sharing.

  9. Posted July 14, 2009 at 5:08 am | Permalink

    beautiful!
    xo

  10. Posted July 14, 2009 at 6:14 am | Permalink

    go ben!
    i love this!!!
    and that quote and it completely embodies how NIA has changed my life. that is exactly where i go when i dance and no matter how i may have been feeling before i danced, i leave changed.

  11. Val
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 6:27 am | Permalink

    Oh – the dances that they do – uninhibited beauty! If we could all keep part of that would it not be wonderful!

  12. Posted July 14, 2009 at 7:01 am | Permalink

    Seriously? Could you take better photos? This is awesome.
    Also? I’m loving the cupcakes/cupcake flags from the previous post.

  13. Jummy
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 7:19 am | Permalink

    This beautiful picture makes my heart happy.
    It’s lovely to see Ben enjoying life.

  14. Posted July 14, 2009 at 8:43 am | Permalink

    such a great photo – capturing something mid-dance! perfection :)
    xo

  15. Posted July 14, 2009 at 8:59 am | Permalink

    Yah Ben!! I squealed outloud at this photo and such a great quote. You captured this so beautifully. Cutness overload!

  16. Jennifer
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 9:09 am | Permalink

    I LOVE this picture!!! It does look like he’s rockin’ out in the way that only 2 year olds can do (though I guess he’s 2 and a half now, right?

  17. Posted July 14, 2009 at 9:10 am | Permalink

    Brilliant photo, Andrea. Ben has genuine line in the movement. And the quote knocked my socks off, sent it to Paul.

  18. Posted July 14, 2009 at 9:12 am | Permalink

    I love everything about this picture but I think the Beatles shirt is the best part!

  19. Posted July 14, 2009 at 9:39 am | Permalink

    Love this – the shadows, the light, the expression, the quote – everything.

  20. Posted July 14, 2009 at 10:38 am | Permalink

    my new fave pic of ben!!!

  21. Posted July 14, 2009 at 10:39 am | Permalink

    That makes my heart smile in a thousand different directions. Spend the money. Blow this one up and frame it. Put it in the busiest room in your house. You will never regret looking at this image every day.

  22. nina
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 10:56 am | Permalink

    Seeing him makes my heart dance! I love this picture…

  23. Posted July 14, 2009 at 11:02 am | Permalink

    i LOVE it!!! probably one of my fav pics of ben so far. just a great photo all around. my heart swells :)

  24. Posted July 14, 2009 at 11:17 am | Permalink

    This image just filled my soul with absolute joy. Thank you for sharing.

  25. Posted July 14, 2009 at 11:18 am | Permalink

    This image just filled my soul with absolute joy. Thank you for sharing.

  26. Posted July 14, 2009 at 11:18 am | Permalink

    This image just filled my soul with absolute joy. Thank you for sharing.

  27. catherine
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 12:13 pm | Permalink

    Instant good mood.

  28. Honey
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 1:31 pm | Permalink

    What I ask is better than this?? I really love the shadow part too. I think of Peter Pan’s shadow. Unadulterated joy. Thanks for sharing all the loveliness.

  29. Posted July 14, 2009 at 1:46 pm | Permalink

    oh. so made me smile today. love the t-shirt too.

  30. Connie
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 2:40 pm | Permalink

    what an awesome picture. What a treasure…

  31. Trude
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 3:28 pm | Permalink

    Wow. Talk about a frameable keepsake! That should totally be up on your wall! :)

  32. Laura
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 4:13 pm | Permalink

    look at him- a sweet little wisp of a boy, he looks like he is about to fly up into the air, perch in a tree and giggle down at you :)
    SUCH an awesome shirt! My partner and I were saying the other day that if we ever become pregnant, we’re totally pressing earphones to my belly & playing beatles songs.. (and some joni mitchell- the grass at the roadside in this shot makes me think of prairies, and for some reason joni and prairies are linked in my mind)

  33. Posted July 14, 2009 at 5:13 pm | Permalink

    Dance on, little dude. Wonderful moving picture.

  34. Sarah
    Posted July 15, 2009 at 7:00 am | Permalink

    I truly adore this picture. Ben’s expression and movement are so perfectly joyful, and I love how his little dance-partner shadow looks like it’s taking flight in the background! :)

  35. Sarah
    Posted July 15, 2009 at 7:00 am | Permalink

    I truly adore this picture. Ben’s expression and movement are so perfectly joyful, and I love how his little dance-partner shadow looks like it’s taking flight in the background! :)

  36. Posted July 15, 2009 at 9:04 am | Permalink

    Oh, Jen, what a beautiful, lovely picture. I think I will go and dance a little myself now, though it’s night here and I will be dancing under the stars.

  37. jenn
    Posted July 15, 2009 at 12:07 pm | Permalink

    I just adore this picture. I look at it all the time because it just brings instant joy into my life. Rock out Ben!

  38. crissy
    Posted July 15, 2009 at 2:31 pm | Permalink

    oh lovely! i also love how this is a family photo of sorts, assuming the other 2 shadows are you and matt. i want to dance with ben too!

  39. Posted July 15, 2009 at 3:10 pm | Permalink

    This is such a captivating photo! So joyful!

  40. Posted July 15, 2009 at 3:48 pm | Permalink

    What a beautiful photo and I LOVE the quote. Thank you! My dancer-self thanks you. :)

  41. hippittee
    Posted July 15, 2009 at 3:49 pm | Permalink

    love the shirt and how it complements the content of the photo~

  42. Posted July 15, 2009 at 3:50 pm | Permalink

    What a beautiful photo and I LOVE the quote. Thank you. My newly rediscovered dancer-self thanks you. :)

  43. Posted July 15, 2009 at 7:22 pm | Permalink

    Oh Andrea! This photo made my day!

  44. Rebecca.
    Posted July 15, 2009 at 8:13 pm | Permalink

    Remember when he was just a hope? Just a dream and a wish your heart was yearning for?
    What joy he projects…..

  45. Rebecca.
    Posted July 15, 2009 at 8:13 pm | Permalink

    Remember when he was just a hope? Just a dream and a wish your heart was yearning for?
    What joy he projects…..

  46. Posted July 16, 2009 at 7:10 am | Permalink

    Good Lord that is some pure joy there!! I love to SEE that in pictures…

  47. megan
    Posted July 16, 2009 at 7:40 am | Permalink

    Where did that quote come from? LOVE the picture!

  48. Posted July 16, 2009 at 7:41 am | Permalink

    Such a great photo! And I love the quote :)

  49. Posted July 16, 2009 at 9:57 am | Permalink

    that is the BEST! love love love!!

  50. Todd
    Posted July 16, 2009 at 1:56 pm | Permalink

    That looks similar to my son Jack’s dance…we call it “Jelly Legs” Awseome!

  51. Posted July 16, 2009 at 2:38 pm | Permalink

    He’s adorable!
    (This photo is amazing, breathtaking and spiritual all in one. This is the second time I’ve come to look at it. I wish I could capture that freedom and happiness and share it with the world. So very awesome!)

  52. Sam
    Posted July 17, 2009 at 6:38 am | Permalink

    An amazing shot, Andrea! It captures Ben’s utter joy in movement, and I love his hair ruffled by the wind. I know that my own son’s dancing brings me SUCH joy and laughter. Two year olds of the world, dance your bootys off!

  53. suganthi
    Posted July 17, 2009 at 7:20 am | Permalink

    Amazing.
    And I love to dance and spin on my feet.
    xo!

  54. Julia
    Posted July 17, 2009 at 7:36 am | Permalink

    Ben couldn’t look more “joyful and whole” than in this picture!
    Thanks for sharing this image of your beautiful, dancing boy.
    :)

  55. Surcie
    Posted July 17, 2009 at 9:19 am | Permalink

    Looks like he’s thriving in every way!

  56. Posted July 17, 2009 at 11:54 am | Permalink

    and the figures on the Beatles tshirt are dancing right along with him! oh, this photo makes me smile so much =)
    and look at leaping, dancing SHADOWS! =)

  57. Posted July 17, 2009 at 6:04 pm | Permalink

    Oh, my. How do I love him. Let me count the ways. We drove through San Francisco and Berkley a few days ago and I saw a body of water and walking path. I thought, “I wonder if this is the path Ben dances on…” We also hit the Cafe Gratitude, my daughter wouldn’t order anything!

  58. shona
    Posted July 18, 2009 at 7:37 pm | Permalink

    that is an amazing photo! i love it, as well as the quote. i hope you’re having a fantastic heart-full weekend! : )

  59. Posted July 20, 2009 at 6:12 am | Permalink

    one of my most favorites! xo

  60. Posted July 20, 2009 at 10:12 am | Permalink

    v

  61. Teresa
    Posted July 20, 2009 at 8:20 pm | Permalink

    Hi Andrea,
    I just LOVE your blog, your photography…your stories about Ben… You have inspired me to start my own blog featuring my twin daughters. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind emailing me to give me some advice? Help me with a few hesitations I am haivng?
    Thanks!
    Teresa

  62. Posted July 21, 2009 at 7:37 am | Permalink

    This is the first time I comment here :) I *LOVE* your work :) And this picture makes me sooo happy! Thanks~Thanks for sharing

  63. Posted July 21, 2009 at 7:37 am | Permalink

    This is the first time I comment here :) I *LOVE* your work :) And this picture makes me sooo happy! Thanks~Thanks for sharing

  64. Posted July 21, 2009 at 10:21 pm | Permalink

    stinkin’ adorable

  65. Posted July 22, 2009 at 5:48 am | Permalink

    I said it out loud as soon as I saw this: Oh Wow! This is such a beautiful, beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing it!

  66. dani keith
    Posted July 22, 2009 at 11:23 am | Permalink

    pictures of ben and his pure joy always make me smile. thank you for sharing!!

  67. Posted July 22, 2009 at 8:35 pm | Permalink

    so in luh-uv with this photo!

  68. Posted July 23, 2009 at 7:56 am | Permalink

    I just love this pic!
    Wonderful (even the shirt is perfect)!!
    eve

  69. Posted July 23, 2009 at 3:01 pm | Permalink

    Oh, this picture is such a delight! Love it!

  70. Posted July 24, 2009 at 9:25 pm | Permalink

    oh, we miss the cesar chavez park walk … feeding the marmots peanuts and the waves crashing on the rocks. the kite flying. (sigh)

  71. Posted July 25, 2009 at 1:54 am | Permalink

    such an amazing photo!

  72. victoria
    Posted July 28, 2009 at 7:26 pm | Permalink

    This is one of the best photos I have seen. Such an amazing capture of joy and freedom. Thank you for sharing it.

  73. victoria
    Posted July 28, 2009 at 7:26 pm | Permalink

    This is one of the best photos I have seen. Such an amazing capture of joy and freedom. Thank you for sharing it.

  74. bianca
    Posted July 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm | Permalink

    andrea, hello.
    this image is quite possibly my favorite of ben. what a magical moment you captured. joyful, youthful, full of abandon. fantastic.

  75. Posted July 30, 2009 at 6:44 am | Permalink

    As the Beatles sang, “I’m happy just to dance with you.”
    For Ben, that statement can be made even more succint: “I’m happy just to dance,” or even “I’m happy.”
    What a photo and what an expansive spirit in such a small package.

  76. Posted August 1, 2009 at 10:57 am | Permalink

    Love this photo!!

  77. Posted August 11, 2009 at 7:32 am | Permalink

    joyful and serene.