I Need Your Help Choosing A Cover for "The Bodies Of Mothers!"

(Cover Idea #5)

I received an email today from a beautiful woman voicing concern about the image she thought I might be using as my 'cover' image for my book The Bodies Of Mothers. The image she thought I was going to use is Cover Idea #3 in this list of images with the tattoos and gorgeous stripes from growing 3 lives. The woman who wrote me expressed that she thought it was too much like what is already accepted in our culture as beautiful (meaning the woman is 'thin and young' and white) and thought it was both un-powerful and not a good choice to convey my 'redefining beautiful' message. It got me thinking and while I don't necessarily agree with everything she wrote I do strongly agree with some of what she expressed to me. Plus I love listening to other people's ideas and I would love to hear your ideas.

Here are 6 ideas, all numbered below the image, including the image above these words.

The book is going to be 12x12 inches, sustainable paper and printed in the USA.

Ultimately, I want the most powerful image (big surprise). An image which attracts people to he book who don't even know about this project while encouraging those who own it to keep it out in the open as opposed to hiding it away in a book shelf because perhaps nudity might offend them or their family. I want it to REACH as many people as possible before they dismiss this work based on a cover. INSIDE the book there are nudes and there is a wide representation of women.

Please tell me your thoughts. Each image has a number underneath and if you feel so inspired , please comment why you do or don't like what number, and I would be eternally grateful for this collective of ideas on how to make the most powerful and inviting book cover for this profound work that tells the story for so very very many of us.

**Please note these cover ideas are all sketches/drafts. The font etc will most likely change.**

(*Stephanie* cover Idea #2)

(*S* Cover idea #3)

(*Jane* Cover Idea #4)

(*Kasthuri* Cover Idea #5)

(*Lulani* Cover Idea #6)

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Showing 81 reactions

commented 2014-01-09 10:14:53 -0700 · Flag

I lOVE #6 because I could relate to that body being my own!

commented 2014-01-08 21:50:25 -0700 · Flag

6! For me, the fact that you haven’t captured her face makes it even easier to identify with her. That could be me!!! And the look on her childrens’ faces speaks wonders. They love this woman, regardless…they are in awe of her…simple as that.

commented 2014-01-07 12:24:53 -0700 · Flag

#6!!! That picture made me cry. It was the reason I contacted you Jade and flew all the way from Finland to be photographed for this project.I just LOVE LOVE LOVE that picture!!!

commented 2014-01-07 10:37:00 -0700 · Flag

“Ultimately, I want the most powerful image (big surprise). An image which attracts people to he book who don’t even know about this project while encouraging those who own it to keep it out in the open as opposed to hiding it away in a book shelf because perhaps nudity might offend them or their family. I want it to REACH as many people as possible before they dismiss this work based on a cover. INSIDE the book there are nudes and there is a wide representation of women.”

“The woman who wrote me expressed that she thought it was too much like what is already accepted in our culture as beautiful (meaning the woman is ‘thin and young’ and white) and thought it was both un-powerful and not a good choice to convey my ‘redefining beautiful’ message.”

These statements are in opposition to one another on some level… sadly.

I can see why this young woman is concerned. She is right. However, this is “redefining beautiful” because there does not exist any photos of women covered in stretch marks in books anywhere. This woman is a warrior mama and her body tells a story. If you truly want a powerful image that attracts people and that can be left out on the coffee table… a picture that is balanced, evokes curiosity and is anonymous and therefore can be easily related to… it is picture #3. The nudity piece is a challenging one and may not reach some of the individuals. Image #3 is beautiful because your photography makes it beautiful. It is liberating for all… not just “young, white, thin” women. It is a bold statement of self love which you are looking for. The absence of children helps women of all ages relate even deeper… including those that gave up babies for adoption…

My last word of advice, Jade, is to go with your heart. You can’t please anyone and I imagine you had a pretty clear gut feeling about the cover of your book. Trust yourself as we trust you. xo

commented 2014-01-05 19:33:19 -0700 · Flag

I love #6. It’s one of the first pictures of yours I saw and have loved it ever since. It beautifully shows how becoming a mother changes your body, forever. Not just right after the baby, as the two happy loving children show. Every time I see it it brings tears to my eyes making me think of my own two children and how I looked down on my own body for so long instead of viewing it as beautiful, wonderful and amazing. Because that’s what a mothers body really is. Thank you so much for all of your work. Thanks to you I am learning to love my body again, as it is now, instead of wishing it was what it used to be. Thank you so much.

commented 2014-01-05 11:04:21 -0700 · Flag

I have a slight preference for 4, 5 and 6, but actually love them all.
They each show a different aspect of motherhood.
Would it be possible to make a ‘medley’ of the photos as a cover?

commented 2014-01-05 03:06:20 -0700 · Flag

Number 4 ou number 5. I love these pictures!!

commented 2014-01-05 03:03:50 -0700 · Flag

I like 5 and 3 in that order, as the cover. 6 and 2 are actually my favourites but I’d love the book to be available with the cover outwards rather than going into an adult section or just having the edge on show, and knowing how some Americans are about breasts and nipples I make my choice accordingly.

commented 2014-01-04 12:06:04 -0700 · Flag

I absolutely love all these pictures, but it was #6 that I first saw and liked so much (and made me google you!) Next is #5 because the mother looks sooo happy and the baby is too cute!

commented 2014-01-04 06:54:41 -0700 · Flag

for me!

commented 2014-01-04 06:46:58 -0700 · Flag

#6. That just shouts “mother” to me. I love them all!

commented 2014-01-03 19:43:06 -0700 · Flag

I pick #4 and my male partner picks #6.

commented 2014-01-03 17:44:56 -0700 · Flag

I love number five because of the expression on her face.

commented 2014-01-03 16:09:57 -0700 · Flag

6 for sure

commented 2014-01-03 15:46:38 -0700 · Flag

Geeze guys, you have blown me away with your kind and incredibly thoughtful responses!!! THANK YOU thank you thank you. LOVE you all and so honored by the precious time you take responding to this. <3

commented 2014-01-03 15:12:58 -0700 · Flag

I kept going from 3 to 4 to 5 to 6 and back — then finally #6 - the Body of a Mother —no face so she could be any mother and the 2 children loving on her is priceless. This is the photo that originally captured my attn. and cause me to “like” “follow” and ‘share’ your work.

commented 2014-01-03 14:09:38 -0700 · Flag

6. Without a doubt.

commented 2014-01-03 10:15:54 -0700 · Flag

Torn between 3, 4, and 6. -- I wish I could just pick 4, but my biggest concern would be the number of people who will not give your book a chance if the cover shows a nipple. I personally LOVE the beauty and shamelessness of baring all, but am not sure controversy would help the cause. -- In order to reach a greater audience, I’d have to say 6 (with the nipple cropped) or 3. The really are all beautiful.

commented 2014-01-03 01:51:55 -0700 · Flag

is my favourite. It was the first photo of yours I saw and was what inspired me to follow your project. Says so much in one photo.

commented 2014-01-03 01:27:54 -0700 · Flag

and #6 - I love the stretch marks on 3 and 6 just makes me cry with joy

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I Need Your Help Choosing A Cover for "The Bodies Of Mothers" Please

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