Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2010

Photo by Sarah Cortina

Few of us get to hang out with folk more glamorous than celebrity photographer Leslie Kee. He appeared at a recent press conference to celebrate Glamorous Mama, a special photobook included with the February issue of Glamorous magazine. The booklet features 12 icons of style and fashion—from model Ai Tominaga to the legendary Yoko Ono—photographed with their children. Kee explained, “My mother died from cancer when she was 39, so now that I’ve reached that age, I wanted to do something to honor her.” Model and singer Anna Tsuchiya, who appeared in the spread with her son Skye and her mother, was also on hand to talk about the experience. “We’re all human, we all have life,” she explained. “But because you gave birth to them, this one life becomes so special you can’t put it into words.” Tsuchiya is due to give birth to her second child in April. “It moves around a lot,” she said. “It’s like…you know that Sigourney Weaver movie, Alien?” When asked how many children she wants, she gleefully responded, “the more the merrier!” “And I’m going to photograph them all,” Kee said—to which Tsuchiya shot back, “Yeah, but I won’t be in it.”

Part of the proceeds for the February Glamorous issue will be donated to the United Nations Population Fund.