I am a proud mother of 2 amazing children, the youngest just 9 months old. I’m currently at the lowest weight I’ve been since middle school….I’m 25 now. I am an aspiring photographer & took this nude self portrait of myself to post on am artistic nude photo forum to show that a post pregnancy body….stretch marks & all could still be sexy & appealing. My husband would definitely agree that it is. However when I posted this picture I was met with a question, “why would you post the damage that childbirth has done to your body?” I was in shock, although I guess I should have been prepared for such comments, but that particular comment came from a married man who admitted his wife had similar “damage”. I felt horrible, not just because of the comment, but for that poor mans wife….I hope she doesn’t know that he sees her probably gorgeous body in such a way. I took down the picture after that comment. I should have had the guts to leave it up, but it was a moment of weakness….who wants to be judged, especially so harshly? I realize now that his opinion does not matter to me, what matters is how I feel about myself. I feel beautiful & womanly, and that is what I am….a beautiful woman.
This is absolutely the MOST BEAUTIFUL and Breathtaking photo I’ve ever seen!!! I’d love to see your website. You are very talented and SEXY! I hope you put the photo up again on your website. I agree… I hope that that man’s wife doesn’t know how her husband views her body. It’s sad. He is a very ignorant man.
What a beautiful and evocative photograph.
You are so beautiful!!!
That is an amazing picture and has touched me very much to see and to read your comments. Truly, you are beautiful… and I look like you so perhaps I am somewhat too. Thank you for sharing.
I am a 42 year old male with three children. I am a single father, and have never commented before. I have to comment on your photo. I find your photo very sexy. Mothers need to get more credit. They are the ones that go through the labor, they are the ones that feed the children early on, they are the ones the children want when ill, they are the ones that do not care what it takes to bare a child. The woman as a whole is a very strong, loving, and caring person. I personally love the bodies of mothers. It is what makes you you.
You are breathtakenly beautiful, and a talented photographer as well. I hate it when people think our bodies are damaged when we are simply doing what our bodies are built to do….it is such a shame that our society devalues a mothers body in this way. Thanks for sharing your photo. you should put it up in the main entrance of your house!!!!!
What a beautiful picture. Dont let this one man’s oppinion dictate how you feel about what your body can do. His opinion is one of a rainbow of thoughts. You are beautiful, you should re-post the picture proudly.
I love it! I love the beautiful design that pregnancy bellies leave.
I think you are beautiful!! Its such a pity that men are so judgmental these days.Most of those who think we should be ashamed of what we look like after birth are men.Even my own husband is convinced that women who get stretch marks and “aprons” are those that didnt take care of themselfs during pregnancy-there for,its their fault and they should be ashamed.If only they knew that the women they are comparing us to are either photoshopped,spend 10 hours a day working out,or have been under the knife :(
If men were more aware of what real women looked like,they wouldent be so harsh or quick to judge…they might even admire us more.
Us women are fully aware of what happens to our body after birth..its the men we have to educate.
Such an amazing photo! Truly a portrait of beauty and sex appeal! I do hope you find it in yourself to re-post your picture, despite the comment of that ignorant man – surely anyone of taste could appreciate this photo – and you deserve to be celebrated not only for your work, but for your body and what miracles it has performed! Blessings to you!
It’s men like him that give the rest of them a bad name.
You’re gorgeous, don’t ever forget that, and don’t let that man get the better of you. He’s the one with “damage” in this case, not you, not ever.
I didn’t get any stretchmarks with my first dd…and you know what? I wanted them. I felt robbed; I felt like I had no physical “proof” that I’d had a child. No badge of honor. Well, some stretchmarks came with dd #2 and I couldn’t be happier with them. Souvenirs of such a wonderful experience. I am lucky to have them (the dds and the stretchmarks!).
You are beautiful and you are also quite a good photographer.
Some see damage, others see change, growth, maturity, love and strength.
I’d like to think that that comment was really a question… and that the answer could be that you’d post it because you’re capturing the real beauty that is a mother… art is supposed to make people see things in a new light, to re-evaluate what they think they know about the subject, and to provoke new thoughts… and maybe even open their minds. I definetly think you should repost this image… I think it should be awarded a prize!
Thank you so much for posting that. I have two wonderful children but look at my self in the mirror and sometimes cry. I know I will never look like I did the day I married my husband and he doesn’t even seem to notice that my body has changed. You are beautiful and make me feel beautiful about my body too!
Damage? DAMAGE? Is anything more amazing than the ability of our bodies stretching accomodate and nourish a new life? Why is it that we would look at the evidence of postpartum as anything less than miraculous and beautiful?
I feel sorry for that man that commented on your stunning photo that he has been so corrupted by our society as to not see what TRUE beauty is.
Blessings!
~B
This is an awesome photo.
Also, this is the first time I’ve seen someone with almost my exact body. Obviously there are some differences, but still our bodies are very similar. If I lost a bit of weight it would but even more so.
Again, this photo is great. =)
I hope I look that good after I deliver.
You are beautiful and that is an incredible picture. You should of left it up. That guy gives the rest of us a bad name. Keep up the great work and hope you can see pass that one petty person and model again. Is time that real woman get scene instead of what just the Paris’s of the world.
They say it takes only 1 negative comment to completely ruin the way you feel about something. And that it takes 5 positive comments to override just 1 negative that a person says. Some people seem to never learn the ability to say anything positive, that they go around bringing others down. Don’t let that 1 persons comment override the dozens or so good comments you may receive for that photo. When you receive several good comments and 1-2 bad ones, then there’s something wrong with those 1-2, not with you. Keep up the great photography work, you a are an amazing confident woman.
Cheers!!
What an amazing photograph. Its not only gorgeous, its REAL and artistic all at once. I absolutely adore this!! Thank you so much for posting it on here.
beautiful and stunning!
That picture is just stunning. And the body is very familiar. I hope one day i can have the courage to boldy show that even though my body bears the marks of having a son, I am still beautifull and sexy.
Thank you for sharing. women like you, sharing their beauty on this site inspire me to appriciate myself more.
i think this picture is fabulous… i hope im that sexy when i have my baby 2 lol…..you are giving me strength in seeing that a mothers body is a sexy and gorgeous thing…DONT LISTEN to that man its just one opinion im shure theres men who think your GORGEOUS.. ii seen some of them in your comments
I have not been on this site in quite some time. I had forgotten that I submitted this, and did not even know it made it on the site! After reading through all of the amazing comments I just can’t help but smile & get a little teary eyed. You all have said some wonderful things & I appreciated it so very very much. I don’t know what else to say except a huge THANK YOU!
Very beautiful photo!! Right on ! War scars
Beautiful!
There is nothing more beautiful that a loving and caring mother who isn’t ashamed of any part of motherhood.
It’s horrible that the damaged man can’t see true beauty.
Makes you wonder what the airbrushed women of the world would comment on his picture- if they are as shallow
Damage?! Ha! That man is a sad, shallow excuse for a man and husband. I pity his wife.
You, however, look fantastic! I am so happy now after seeing your photo. My belly looks just like that! I am also 25 with 2 children and a husband who adores my body regardless of my belly wrinkles, stretchmarks, or flat boobs. You’re a great photographer too – keep up that great work and never let stupid people bring you down!