If This Breathtaking Photo Shoot Doesn't Show the Beauty of Postpartum Bodies, Nothing Will

Updated on May 19, 2018 at 4:40 PM

Professional photographers and moms Aimee and Jenna Hobbs have captured the intimate moments of dozens of families. And while they love framing the perfect shot, they started to notice an upsetting trend: moms were seriously stressing out about getting in front of the camera. Aimee told POPSUGAR that it really upset her to witness this time and time again, so they decided to do something about it by staging a photo project called "A Mother's Beauty" that celebrates postpartum bodies.

"Initially, we came up with the idea to photograph women's postpartum bodies because of our work photographing families. We had numerous conversations comparing notes about how although moms were often the driving force behind wanting to have their family photographed, they seemed to be the ones who were the most daunted at the prospect of being in front of the camera. We were frequently asked to make them look thinner, to photoshop them to remove their tummy, hide their chin, thin their arms. The list goes on," she said.

Aimee explained that what was even more alarming was the number of mothers who decided to forgo being photographed altogether: "We were also seeing a growing number of moms who didn't want to be included in their session and say they only wanted pictures of their children."

"We never know what life will bring, and someday those images are going to be so, so important to your children and your grandchildren."

For Jenna, who's a mom of five, and Aimee, who has two sons and two stepkids, this was problematic. "Us moms are usually the center of our children's world, and it really worried us that so many moms were removing themselves from their family's visual diary," she said. "We never know what life will bring, and someday those images are going to be so, so important to your children and your grandchildren."

And while Aimee understands that authenticity isn't exactly celebrated nowadays when it comes to women's bodies, she thinks it's about time that changed. "Authentic images of what women's bodies really look like are not often seen. We decided that we would photograph real mothers of all shapes and sizes in the hopes of showing mothers just how incredible they are and that there really is beauty in the perfectly imperfect."

Aimee and Jenna hope that their series will bring women together and help mamas feel more confident.

"We've definitely learned that no matter how alone we may feel in our struggles, we're more the same than we are different. and by sharing your own story, you will be helping another mother out there who is in the same place as you."

Amanda, 27

"I am a firm believer that we need to break the mold that society has built on how moms and postpartum bodies should look . . . I stopped body shaming myself, and I truly feel comfortable in my own skin now. My body tells a story with every stretchmark. And I love that!"

Danielle, 21

"My son may never look back on these photos and see the sacrifices my body took because let's face it, he didn't leave me with stretch marks or a saggy stomach. I can only hope he remembers how strong and confident his mother was and that he was to thank for that."

Kai, 31

"Be kind to [yourself], be forgiving and enjoy who you are today because you will look back and wish you hadn't worried about your body the way you did. Go out, have fun, don't let it hold you back. You are beautiful, flaunt it!"

Larissa, 29

"The year after my son was born was the most at home I've felt in my body since before puberty. The pure fact that I birthed my baby made my size and shape insignificant in a way that nothing else had for me."

Zoe, 27

"My body has changed shapes throughout the years, and yet again through pregnancy and my two years postpartum. I've never been overly self-conscious with my physical shape, it's been more of me feeling my body has failed me which causes the most anguish. From my ruptured appendix, to scar adhesion pain, to 36 hour labor turned emergency C-section, and now still dealing with scar adhesion pain, I have many low days hating and blaming my body for failing me. I'm still working on trusting my body."

Barb, Zoe’s mother, 48

"During the photo event I was surprised that it didn't feel like pictures were being taken of the body, but of the spirit!"

Chelsea, 24

"Since Chloe was born I have felt pressured to 'get my body back' from family, friends, and media. It made me mad to think I should be expected to hit the gym when all I want to do is soak up every moment I can with my baby while I can."

Kat, 29

"Today my confidence is the highest it has ever been. This has not happened overnight or easily. The first time I got pregnant I felt ugly, fat, unsexy, and unlovable. I hated what was happening to my body and the lack of control I had over it. I put so much importance on the climbing number that the scale showed each week. After I gave birth I put so much pressure and expectation on my body to 'bounce back' with a matter of weeks . . . When my second was born, he was two months early. I forgot about my insecurities and internal dilemmas and focus every ounce of energy into helping him grow."

Kailin, 28

"I hope they remember my smile, my strength, and my ability to love myself along the entire journey. I hope they remember how much comfort my squishy belly brought them — a favorite resting place."

Jessica, 30

"Growing up I always struggled with body image. Then in my early adulthood I was always just trying to get back to the body I had 3 . . . 5 . . . 9 years ago. When I was pregnant, I truly and utterly started to love my body. What it was growing inside made me realize how beautiful it was on the outside."

Alexandra, 26

"I wanted to show my daughters that being beautiful and confident is more than what you wear, or how you do your hair. I hope that my daughters will be confident and comfortable just the way they are."

Kelsey, 30

"It wasn't until after I had my son that I was able to truly appreciate just what a body is capable of. I still have a hard time fathoming the miracle that is child birth."

Jenn, 31

"Growing up I was told at a young age to wear makeup. Then it was to lose weight and try to decrease my breast size. I've never felt confident in myself. This was important to me as I want my daughter to know she is beautiful and to feel confident in her own natural way. I felt comfortable, amazingly beautiful, and free!"

Alyssa, 26

"Being pregnant and then postpartum with my first son was difficult because I was uncomfortable with what had happened to my body. Then it hit me. My body is beautiful. What it had just done, created a human, was absolutely amazing. So amazing that I decided to give it a second go.

I loved my growing belly more the second time. I planned and embraced my birth choices instead of being scared. I looked in the mirror afterwards and loved what I saw. For I am strong and I'm a mother. I love sharing this feeling with new mothers who may be stuck looking in that mirror and feeling sad because they don't look like they used to. Having a baby changes your body, but it also changes your heart and mind. You don't need to look like who you were before because you are no longer that person. You are better."

Angela, 30

"I want people to see me as I am. While I was being photographed I felt like it was just another day and that this is life and this is how we do it. I am making up my motherhood journey as I go along, there is no rule book, and I am a different parent than someone else. I am parenting by instinct not by guilt. I also want them to know that life isn't just about what you look like on the outside but also the inside and that every little thing about me makes me who I am."