“Body after baby!” “Celebrity bounces back two months after birth!” These are the headlines we read everyday in the media. It takes 9 months to grow a baby, it takes 9 months to lose it. Or so they say...
So what happens when you lose all your baby weight? What happens when you don’t? What happens when you’re left with stretch marks, with scars from your journey of childbirth. I have yet to see a celebrity or public figure bare their soul like this. This is Anne a mother of 4. Anne is the most empathetic, soulful and sensitive woman. She lives to inspire daily, her mantra always being “What have you done for the world today?” When she agreed to be part of this project, I could still see the fear in her eyes. She even communicated “What about the negative comments?
My body.. The capsule to my soul.. Once ashamed, I'd hide behind my clothes. My body given the privilege to nourish 4 beautiful souls. Tarnished and stretched, on my tiny frame. Looking at the aftermath, my heart sank. How will I compare to those beach bodies, flaunting around? Living in insecurities my heart grew tired. I began to work hard for not a perfect body, but for a healthy mind. In the process of this a surprise I received... Not only did my insecurities parish, but self love received.
-Anne's Story
When I started to photograph Anne, those chains that bound her fears broke. She interacted with her beautiful daughter, laughed, danced and the room just lit up with a warm energy of love. As I edited these images I cried. I cried for the shame she felt and for the pride, the courage it took for her to do this session. Anne I salute you. May you uplift others to embrace their after birth bodies! This is TRUE BEAUTY!
-Lindsay Schrader is an ABB Project Photographer based in Calgary, Canada.To learn more about her or book a shoot, click here:
https://www.facebook.com/infinitelightphotography
Lindsay writes: I am a Mama of 4 beautiful children 12, 5, 3 &1. My oldest child is brain injured and autistic. I am married to my incredible husband and partner in crime of 12 years, Jimmy. Photography is a PASSION that I am grateful for being able to share with others and live my dream. I live in Calgary, AB, Canada.
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