We are submerged in messages about our bodies. How to feed them better, make them more beautiful, exercise, clothing, surgery, etc. It's all about change. It's all about some day you will love your body if you just do this. This is really about how to love your body, but I think after children is when women who otherwise felt okay about their bodies start to feel inadequate and it is precisely at this time when they are the most amazing! They have just grown and are feeding a human!
I have three daughters. Three! They all have different bodies. They are all beautiful and yes, I am their Mama, so that's a given in my book. But truly they are, because everything is beautiful. And if it's not beautiful, it's interesting or emotional or has a story. That's my favorite, it has a story. It belongs to something or someone and there are words and layers of life there.
Since I started photographing birth I've wanted to offer postpartum sessions, motherhood "boudoir". It's not been the right time for one reason or another, but so much has happened in my life in the past year and I've been working on my own journey towards body acceptance, that I think it's time.
I don't want to dress you up. I don't want to add props or lots of makeup. Those types of boudoir shots are wonderful and I know several amazing photographers who do them if that's what you are looking for.
I want you in your own skin.
I want to play with the light and I want you to bring the things that make you feel sexy and beautiful. I want to hear your story and how you feel about your body and I want you to love it just a little more when we are done.
In college, I was an English major and lucky enough to know and work with lots of writers. My friend Stephen is a wonderful poet and offered a few signed copies of one of his books, my favorite. It includes this beautiful poem that inspires how I want a mother to feel after she sees the photographs from her session. I want to offer a complimentary session and a signed copy of his book. This isn't a contest. Everyone will get a discount on a session if they choose to book one.
But I want to hear your stories, why you want to be photographed and how you feel about you body, your journey. No one but me will read these and I will choose based on pure subjective emotion. I don't want you to include your name in case I know you. Make one up. Just your email or phone number so I can contact you if you are chosen. If you follow me, you will know I'm pretty private with my clients and about 1% of what I photograph ends up on here or on FB. This session is for you and those you choose to share it with. It's for me and the art I hope to create of motherhood, feminism and how God's hands only creates perfect beauty.
You can apply for a session here.