Post-Pregnancy Photo Series Shows How Mothers’ Bodies Look After Giving Birth
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Photos of women in the mass media don’t seem to leave much room for women who don’t match its heavily Photoshopped concept of beauty, but photographer Jade Beall provides a healthy counterweight, using her photography to highlight just how beautiful the bodies of mothers truly are.
Beall’s photography takes women in all of their beauty – thick and thin, smooth and wrinkly, tall and short. Her photos seem especially empowering for women who have been marked with stretchmarks by their pregnancies. On her website, she writes that her goal is “ to build self-esteem in a world that thrives off women feeling insecure“ and “to inspire future generations of women to be free from the unnecessary self-suffering and embrace their beauty just as they are.“
Her photos have generated controversy by some, and were temporarily removed from Facebook for featuring nudity, but that hasn’t stopped her!
More info: jadebeall.com | Facebook | abeautifulbodyproject.com (h/t: huffpost)
Image credit: Leticia Valverdes
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This made me feel normal. We need more if that!!
I have never seen someone that looks like me until this series. I thought I was the only one.
I am shocked... I, a guy, have known about this for years (only 33). can only dream of the day I have a partner with this, would love it!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I didn't realize this either - but I don't see it as beautiful in myself; no man ever would, either, least of all my new husband.
https://www.change.org/p/aus-government-to-subsadise-mummy-make-overs
I love it. We should see more of what women really look like, not this photo-shopped rubbish, especially after having babies.
I love this article. I love the photographs. I love anything that moves us women forward to a place of accepting ourselves and each other.
I have four children, my tummy looks like a deflated balloon, I hate it, my kids don't notice it,my husband sees more than my tummy, I have
It are your battle scars. It brought you the most beautiful gift one can get, children Be proud of the signs that show you live a full life
Feel blessed that you have kids AND a husband (!), who don't care about deflated balloons! :)
I have four children too with a mummy tummy like yours Lisa. We just have to learn to live with it!
Mee too! But i hate it-
I saw somewhere a picture of a woman with stretch marks and out called her a tiger who earned her stripes...i always liked that
I agree with you, FennerPatton - I love my children and feel so blessed to have them, but I hate the way I look now.
Nice to see that this is what the majority of us realky look like after kids, all part of becoming mothers and nothing to be embarrassed of
Women love their beauty and they sacrifice it for children. Inimitable - Mother nature. Thanks for sharing :)
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Except these women who ate for two and never stopped eating after giving birth.
This is what the majority of women look like after giving birth. Rick45's obtuse comment might be better thought of if he gave birth. Ouch.
Spa treatments and love from the father? Men don't get stretch marks on their penises or any where else, or deal with weight change. Think.
So its not only me ! Thank you for sharing. X
Beautiful ❤
I agree Rose, beautiful!
Lovely and real........I'm so proud to be a mother of 4 every line means I'm blessed
I have stretch marks, now faded to silver. I had them at 14 when skinny girl turned to woman.My mother, womb to 8 has none.
I think they are all beautiful. No one mother or not has a perfect body. Love yourself.Imperfections are what make us beautiful. ;)
Luv this. It's the most beautiful form of battle scars a woman could ever have.
Made me feel liberated. It's a battle everyday when you live in a world of illusions. Thank you❤
They are all beautiful!! I think all woman need to realize how truly beautiful they are!
That's me!
Beautiful! Real women. Our children are such precious gifts. A few stretch marks are a small price to pay for them. I wear mine with pride
Ahh love it makes me feel so much better about myself.. dont like my body but feels more ok now!!
I have 2 children. The beauty of my tummy is on their face now. I love them, I love my wrinkled tummy too. I am a mother.
I love this. Embracing motherhood and all it entails. Our bodies our even more beautiful and amazing after bearing new life.
love these photos for being real and celebrating motherhood!!
This made me feel better. I did something amazing with my body.
I'm 2 months pregnant, it scared me :'(
You'll hear lots of horror stories re. pregnancy, child birth, being a mother but people often leave out the OVERWHELMING joy & love to come
It's understandable to be afraid. You'll love that baby more than yourself, and you won't care. Congrats to you, enjoy that baby!
It cant b dat bad 4 every1. My mom has a prfct tucked tummy even after she had me:) n neways now u have so many creams 2 prevent stretchmark
This is a result of genetics, it cannot be prevented with creams. I used everything on the market and couldn't stop it.
Creams do not prevent this ..elasticity is what helps...some people have it some do not
And most of them don't work.
This comment has been deleted.
Women should not be ashamed of how they look after a pregnancy, but let's not kid ourselves. It's not attractive.
Gorgeous, being really dark my belly looks like burnt chocolate cake. I love chocolate cake! That is all
There aren't enough photos around that show a real woman's body, especially post-birth. Fantastic idea! The love shows in every photo :)
Yay!!!
Simply beautiful.
my mom has 6 childrens, her tummy looks exactly like this
Родила съм три деца, изглеждам ужасно гола, обичам децата си, и хич не ми пука, че вече не се събличам на плажа!
I don't really want kids. I'm 31 and completely fine not having any... Seeing this makes me really dislike the idea of being pregnant... The problem is that my husband has a baby fever and has been talking about having kids pretty much every day...
I'm just happy they didn't show the NSFW pics this woman takes! I don't think there's any reason for those...
This is really how women's bodies look. I'm so sick and tired of Actresses and Singers giving birth and the days later having the perfect "Bikini Ready" body. All they do is have a tummy tuck right away. No woman.. and I mean NO WOMAN comes out of childbirth unscathed, unscarred or with out stretching of the skin or stretch marks. Those whom claim to are photo-shopping, lying, or BOTH
Its real its raw I love it
Its real its raw...I love it
Fantastic project. I love my stretch marks because they remaining me of my beautiful girl. Love the photos:) Well done
Sign and Share - Petition link below https://www.change.org/p/aus-government-to-subsadise-mummy-make-overs
As a husband I tried to reassure my wife that no matter what, her scars from having our children are just signs of our unconditional love.
I know the feeling
Stretch marks and sagging belly after pregnancy are battle scars . Women should be proud of them, as well as their husbands!
Sickening... then when these babies grown up they accuse us of ruining their lives! We gave our youthful bodies to them giving birth!
Love it! Best gift in the world! I wouldn't change anything about myself after having my daughter.
Great photo series. And we guys are so lucky - I mean our prick/penis/dick whatever has looked old and wrinkled since we were boys.
Beautiful pictures, very touching. Thank you! :-)
I remember feeling really depressed, thinking my tummy would never be the same...EVER. But these women are confident and inspiring! Love it!
it's life - it's ok.
I carried our children and gave them life. If any one looks at my body they they can tell I'm a mother. I love that! brilliant pics !
Thank you
It's great to see these pictures. My baby is 6 months and I am just starting to get used to my stretch marks and accept they are part of me
beauty
Theese women are beautiful!!!!!
It's sad that there women saying that they love their children but now hate their bodies. These photos have empowered me to love my body
Being a father of 4, I am going to cherish this.
I think it is discussed.
Beautiful
THIS IS AWESOME!! I DONT FEEL SO ALL ALONE!! I HAVE A BELLY VERY SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE PICS AND ID PROUDLY SHOW OFF ALSO EVEN AFTER 4 CSEC
beautiful,about time we had realistic pics of women post baby, take the pressure off trying to get pre baby bod back instantly, well done,
Makes me think of the times they airbrush women and forget to put the navel back in. We should also look at older women.
Life shown as it should be - reality thank you
I feel so much better looking at this pictures, I have five children
Good
Such artistic and sensitively taken pictures...just wonderful...real..out of the hypocrisy and ultimate oppression of the' commercial''look
I believe that images like these have their own special beauty. If men don't like it, pay to change it. It's only fair.
motherhood is a perpetual sacrifice....sometimes is worth, sometimes not. for me it was not worth
Very normal pictures, my wife's stomach looked worse than these ladies but exercise and diet and she was soon back to normal.
Ladies can get their figure back. In time. Its good to see. It reminds us that we did recover. X
Really love it. Such a beatiful reality executed right!
The wonderful beautiful reason causing this effect cancels out any other thoughts or comments .
Yay!
You go, mommy!!
wanna cry
Only RE-A-LI-TY ! ;-) It 's often worse !... But not for all, some keep so nice !
Wonderful! Reality is so beautiful!
"Its not aboutthe looks, its whats inside that matters"
Love!
I never had a baby, but I look like that, and I'm a dude, so ... maybe I can haves baby?
This has made me feel normal for the first time, I though it was just my belly that hadn't sprung back. I've been ashamed of my doughy pouch
I love my mom!
I love you mom!
Love!! My belly is soft and spongy too. All those women are beautiful and so are their bodies.
Love it. I love this. As a mother this is healing. xx thank you.
At full term (actually, a month overdue) I still wore my regular jeans and had only to unzip them. He was 7lbs. 6oz. and 21". Very lucky.
Beautiful,!
So many of us thought "wow, so I'm not the only one?!" THANK YOU Jade Beall for showing us we are not only ok, but can even be beautiful.<3
In this century we have all opportunities to look good, just do not be lazy. Do exercises, eat a healthy and nutrition food.
There is no comment posted by men !! Shame on them ..
http://youthunit.com/?user=34240
Before and after pics would've been interesting, too
That's so beautiful the fact that they love more their children that their body
They love their children AND their bodies - and they love their bodies as they ARE.
touché! You're right!
My wife after three kids doesn't look like this. She is 36 and no signs of such belly damage.
Lucky her, everybody's bodies react different to pregnancy. I'm 20 and have similar 'belly damage'. Some peoples' skin is just stretchier th
I agree everyone is different , I am 43 and I have 2 children and still struggle to feel good about my belly but these images are beautiful
good for her, everyone's body is different.
In islam each pain or stritch we had we will take aprize instead of it in heaven..so be proud of the body u got .
I think that any woman who would forego her self esteem for the birth of her child is a selfless woman deserving of respect and honor.....
When you have a healthy lifestyle (eating clean and excercise) even during pregnancy this just won't happen
Dream on..
This made me feel normal. We need more if that!!
I have never seen someone that looks like me until this series. I thought I was the only one.
I am shocked... I, a guy, have known about this for years (only 33). can only dream of the day I have a partner with this, would love it!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I didn't realize this either - but I don't see it as beautiful in myself; no man ever would, either, least of all my new husband.
https://www.change.org/p/aus-government-to-subsadise-mummy-make-overs
I love it. We should see more of what women really look like, not this photo-shopped rubbish, especially after having babies.
I love this article. I love the photographs. I love anything that moves us women forward to a place of accepting ourselves and each other.
I have four children, my tummy looks like a deflated balloon, I hate it, my kids don't notice it,my husband sees more than my tummy, I have
It are your battle scars. It brought you the most beautiful gift one can get, children Be proud of the signs that show you live a full life
Feel blessed that you have kids AND a husband (!), who don't care about deflated balloons! :)
I have four children too with a mummy tummy like yours Lisa. We just have to learn to live with it!
Mee too! But i hate it-
I saw somewhere a picture of a woman with stretch marks and out called her a tiger who earned her stripes...i always liked that
I agree with you, FennerPatton - I love my children and feel so blessed to have them, but I hate the way I look now.
Nice to see that this is what the majority of us realky look like after kids, all part of becoming mothers and nothing to be embarrassed of
Women love their beauty and they sacrifice it for children. Inimitable - Mother nature. Thanks for sharing :)
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Except these women who ate for two and never stopped eating after giving birth.
This is what the majority of women look like after giving birth. Rick45's obtuse comment might be better thought of if he gave birth. Ouch.
Spa treatments and love from the father? Men don't get stretch marks on their penises or any where else, or deal with weight change. Think.
So its not only me ! Thank you for sharing. X
Beautiful ❤
I agree Rose, beautiful!
Lovely and real........I'm so proud to be a mother of 4 every line means I'm blessed
I have stretch marks, now faded to silver. I had them at 14 when skinny girl turned to woman.My mother, womb to 8 has none.
I think they are all beautiful. No one mother or not has a perfect body. Love yourself.Imperfections are what make us beautiful. ;)
Luv this. It's the most beautiful form of battle scars a woman could ever have.
Made me feel liberated. It's a battle everyday when you live in a world of illusions. Thank you❤
They are all beautiful!! I think all woman need to realize how truly beautiful they are!
That's me!
Beautiful! Real women. Our children are such precious gifts. A few stretch marks are a small price to pay for them. I wear mine with pride
Ahh love it makes me feel so much better about myself.. dont like my body but feels more ok now!!
I have 2 children. The beauty of my tummy is on their face now. I love them, I love my wrinkled tummy too. I am a mother.
I love this. Embracing motherhood and all it entails. Our bodies our even more beautiful and amazing after bearing new life.
love these photos for being real and celebrating motherhood!!
This made me feel better. I did something amazing with my body.
I'm 2 months pregnant, it scared me :'(
You'll hear lots of horror stories re. pregnancy, child birth, being a mother but people often leave out the OVERWHELMING joy & love to come
It's understandable to be afraid. You'll love that baby more than yourself, and you won't care. Congrats to you, enjoy that baby!
It cant b dat bad 4 every1. My mom has a prfct tucked tummy even after she had me:) n neways now u have so many creams 2 prevent stretchmark
This is a result of genetics, it cannot be prevented with creams. I used everything on the market and couldn't stop it.
Creams do not prevent this ..elasticity is what helps...some people have it some do not
And most of them don't work.
This comment has been deleted.
Women should not be ashamed of how they look after a pregnancy, but let's not kid ourselves. It's not attractive.
Gorgeous, being really dark my belly looks like burnt chocolate cake. I love chocolate cake! That is all
There aren't enough photos around that show a real woman's body, especially post-birth. Fantastic idea! The love shows in every photo :)
Yay!!!
Simply beautiful.
my mom has 6 childrens, her tummy looks exactly like this
Родила съм три деца, изглеждам ужасно гола, обичам децата си, и хич не ми пука, че вече не се събличам на плажа!
I don't really want kids. I'm 31 and completely fine not having any... Seeing this makes me really dislike the idea of being pregnant... The problem is that my husband has a baby fever and has been talking about having kids pretty much every day...
I'm just happy they didn't show the NSFW pics this woman takes! I don't think there's any reason for those...
This is really how women's bodies look. I'm so sick and tired of Actresses and Singers giving birth and the days later having the perfect "Bikini Ready" body. All they do is have a tummy tuck right away. No woman.. and I mean NO WOMAN comes out of childbirth unscathed, unscarred or with out stretching of the skin or stretch marks. Those whom claim to are photo-shopping, lying, or BOTH
Its real its raw I love it
Its real its raw...I love it
Fantastic project. I love my stretch marks because they remaining me of my beautiful girl. Love the photos:) Well done
Sign and Share - Petition link below https://www.change.org/p/aus-government-to-subsadise-mummy-make-overs
As a husband I tried to reassure my wife that no matter what, her scars from having our children are just signs of our unconditional love.
I know the feeling
Stretch marks and sagging belly after pregnancy are battle scars . Women should be proud of them, as well as their husbands!
Sickening... then when these babies grown up they accuse us of ruining their lives! We gave our youthful bodies to them giving birth!
Love it! Best gift in the world! I wouldn't change anything about myself after having my daughter.
Great photo series. And we guys are so lucky - I mean our prick/penis/dick whatever has looked old and wrinkled since we were boys.
Beautiful pictures, very touching. Thank you! :-)
I remember feeling really depressed, thinking my tummy would never be the same...EVER. But these women are confident and inspiring! Love it!
it's life - it's ok.
I carried our children and gave them life. If any one looks at my body they they can tell I'm a mother. I love that! brilliant pics !
Thank you
It's great to see these pictures. My baby is 6 months and I am just starting to get used to my stretch marks and accept they are part of me
beauty
Theese women are beautiful!!!!!
It's sad that there women saying that they love their children but now hate their bodies. These photos have empowered me to love my body
Being a father of 4, I am going to cherish this.
I think it is discussed.
Beautiful
THIS IS AWESOME!! I DONT FEEL SO ALL ALONE!! I HAVE A BELLY VERY SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE PICS AND ID PROUDLY SHOW OFF ALSO EVEN AFTER 4 CSEC
beautiful,about time we had realistic pics of women post baby, take the pressure off trying to get pre baby bod back instantly, well done,
Makes me think of the times they airbrush women and forget to put the navel back in. We should also look at older women.
Life shown as it should be - reality thank you
I feel so much better looking at this pictures, I have five children
Good
Such artistic and sensitively taken pictures...just wonderful...real..out of the hypocrisy and ultimate oppression of the' commercial''look
I believe that images like these have their own special beauty. If men don't like it, pay to change it. It's only fair.
motherhood is a perpetual sacrifice....sometimes is worth, sometimes not. for me it was not worth
Very normal pictures, my wife's stomach looked worse than these ladies but exercise and diet and she was soon back to normal.
Ladies can get their figure back. In time. Its good to see. It reminds us that we did recover. X
Really love it. Such a beatiful reality executed right!
The wonderful beautiful reason causing this effect cancels out any other thoughts or comments .
Yay!
You go, mommy!!
wanna cry
Only RE-A-LI-TY ! ;-) It 's often worse !... But not for all, some keep so nice !
Wonderful! Reality is so beautiful!
"Its not aboutthe looks, its whats inside that matters"
Love!
I never had a baby, but I look like that, and I'm a dude, so ... maybe I can haves baby?
This has made me feel normal for the first time, I though it was just my belly that hadn't sprung back. I've been ashamed of my doughy pouch
I love my mom!
I love you mom!
Love!! My belly is soft and spongy too. All those women are beautiful and so are their bodies.
Love it. I love this. As a mother this is healing. xx thank you.
At full term (actually, a month overdue) I still wore my regular jeans and had only to unzip them. He was 7lbs. 6oz. and 21". Very lucky.
Beautiful,!
So many of us thought "wow, so I'm not the only one?!" THANK YOU Jade Beall for showing us we are not only ok, but can even be beautiful.<3
In this century we have all opportunities to look good, just do not be lazy. Do exercises, eat a healthy and nutrition food.
There is no comment posted by men !! Shame on them ..
http://youthunit.com/?user=34240
Before and after pics would've been interesting, too
That's so beautiful the fact that they love more their children that their body
They love their children AND their bodies - and they love their bodies as they ARE.
touché! You're right!
My wife after three kids doesn't look like this. She is 36 and no signs of such belly damage.
Lucky her, everybody's bodies react different to pregnancy. I'm 20 and have similar 'belly damage'. Some peoples' skin is just stretchier th
I agree everyone is different , I am 43 and I have 2 children and still struggle to feel good about my belly but these images are beautiful
good for her, everyone's body is different.
In islam each pain or stritch we had we will take aprize instead of it in heaven..so be proud of the body u got .
I think that any woman who would forego her self esteem for the birth of her child is a selfless woman deserving of respect and honor.....
When you have a healthy lifestyle (eating clean and excercise) even during pregnancy this just won't happen
Dream on..