'Beautiful just as we are': Photographer takes nude portraits of new mothers to challenge pressure on them to snap back into shape after giving birth

In Jade Beall's book of photos, A Beautiful Body Project, dozens of mothers reveal their bodies 'just as they are' - un-Photoshopped, but no less beautiful

PUBLISHED: 17:39 EST, 25 June 2013 | UPDATED: 04:43 EST, 26 June 2013

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A photographer has captured portraits of dozens of nude mothers and pregnant women in a bid to portray their bodies 'just as they are', and to debunk society's idea that they should 'bounce back' immediately after childbirth.

Jade Beall, a mother-of-one from Tuscon, Arizona, began by publishing a series of semi-nude self portraits on Facebook, revealing all the scars and imperfections that came with pregnancy and the birth of her son, Sequoia.

After the portraits inspired hundreds of other mothers, many of whom wanted to be photographed in a similar way, Ms Beall turned her images into a book called A Beautiful Body Project, set to be published in January.

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Beautiful bodies: Photography Jade Beall has captured portraits of dozens of mothers and pregnant women in a bid to celebrate all the physical changes that come with pregnancy and childbirth

Photo collection: The inspiring images have been assembled into a book called A Beautiful Body Project, which will be published in January

The book of black-and-white photos will also include the 'incredible, inspiring and sometimes painful stories' of each woman, according to Ms Beall's website.

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What's more, the photographer has touched so many that her book is being funded entirely by donors and volunteers, who have so far raised nearly $35,000 via Kickstarter for the cause.

Ms Beall told the Huffington Post: 'We are facing an epidemic of women who feel unworthy of being called beautiful.'

Background: The book will also include the 'incredible, inspiring and sometimes painful stories' of each woman, according to Ms Beall's website

Making a difference: 'We are facing an epidemic of women who feel unworthy of being called beautiful,' said Ms Beall, who hopes to cure this 'epidemic' with her photography

Intimate moment: A mother poses with her child, who breastfeeds in the foreground of this image

To rectify this 'epidemic', she hopes to redefine society's idea of beautiful women, especially those whose bodies have transformed through pregnancy and childbirth.

'Shaming mothers for not "bouncing back" after childbirth can cause feelings of failure when being a mother is challenging enough,' she explained.

Ms Beall added that negative feelings are often exaggerated among the many women who feel 'un-beautiful' even before giving birth.

In a video for the book, Ms Beall explains that she took the initial photos of herself 'because 95per cent of women will not see ourselves reflected in mainstream media'.

In the family: The women photographed could choose whether to include their children or not

The best medicine: Ms Beall likes to think her photographs are 'medicinial' - both for the women being portrayed, and for society whose perception of beauty needs 'healing'

Redefining beauty: 'Shaming mothers for not "bouncing back" after childbirth can cause feelings of failure when being a mother is challenging enough,' she explained

In many of the images, the women hold their babies in a loving embrace - in one particularly striking photo, two children gaze lovingly at their mother, who puts her nude stomach on display.

Ms Beall likes to think her photographs are 'medicinial' - both for the women being portrayed, and for society whose perception of beauty needs 'healing'.

Indeed one mother named Michelle, who was photographed for Ms Beall's project, explained on OffbeatHome.com how the shoot made her 'catch a glimmer of [her] beauty'.

Hopeful future: Ms Beall's dream is 'to be a part of a movement of being kind to ourselves and to others'

Well-rounded: In the images, women proudly display their baby bumps and pregnancy scars

Empowering: Ms Beall also hopes to 'witness a generation of young people that no longer waste years of precious life on self-loathing like I have because they think they are un-beautiful'

She wrote: 'I had exposed myself to Jade - not just my flesh, and typically hidden parts, but the angles, and lines and aspects of me that came with being a mother.

'The exposure called to light remembrances of how my body changed shape . . . and the stories that my body has stored from the act of surrender to motherhood and the unexpected life that has become mine since taking the leap of faith into motherhood.'

In the future, Ms Beall plans to expand her portraits to include those who are aging or suffering from cancer or eating disorders.

Jade Beall explains the inspiration behind her photographic...

Body image: The book is intended to overturn the media's portrayal of the ideal body shape, especially after childbirth

A mother's love: Many of the images show the women in intimate poses with their babies

Future projects: After she completes this book, Ms Beall wants to expand her honest portraits to include those who are aging or suffering from cancer or eating disorders

Embracing their bodies: The photos were untouched and un-Photoshopped, encouraging women to accept themselves as they are

'My dream is to be a part of a movement of being kind to ourselves and to others,' she told the Huffington Post.

'And [to] witness a generation of young people that no longer waste years of precious life on self-loathing like I have because they think they are un-beautiful.'

According to the book's website, 'A Beautiful Body project is movement of women coming together to tell their stories and celebrate their ever-changing bodies so that future generations of women can live free from self-suffering.'

Good cause: The photo shoots were all done for free, and the book is being funded entirely by donors and volunteers, who have so far raised nearly $35,000 via Kickstarter

Feeling beautiful in her own skin: One woman displays the intricate body art that decorates her pregnant belly

She tells of how one woman once told her she felt something was 'deeply wrong' with her, simply because she had only managed to lose five pounds after the birth of her second child.

Many women feel 'unworthy', says Ms Beall. 'There can be so many stories shadowing a woman in our culture.'

But through A Beautiful Body Project, she believes women have the power to make a change.

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Wow this is the most beautiful thing ever :)

- lizzyb89 , chelmsford, United Kingdom, 26/6/2013 14:41

Click to rate Rating 499

Beautiful, maybe if there were more images like this, our tennagers wouldn't be striving for a false vision of perfection. And to those who say stretch marks are disgusting - get a life. And as for the pic of the woman with the older boys WHY do people think that's strange? She's got her boobs covered and I'm sure those same boobs once fed each one of those children, it's that "boobs are sexual, nudity is wrong" attitude I can't stand. WHY is it wierd?

- alix , birmingham, 26/6/2013 14:40

Click to rate Rating 537

These pictures are so beautiful. They depict women as strong and protective of their children and it's an accurate portrait of most of us. My body is not the same as my pre baby body. I have my tiger stripes and loose skin. Would I change it? No way. I would take a million more gladly to have the joy and love my children bring me. A billion more.

- Lelly McKelly , Winchester, 26/6/2013 14:34

Click to rate Rating 438

Too much information.

- Iz , Brussels, 26/6/2013 14:32

Click to rate Rating 451

Ah lovely real images that show how you change when you become a mother. Not just physically, but in your soul too. So very sad that people commenting here don't understand that point.

- Jenny , Portsmouth, 26/6/2013 14:28

Click to rate Rating 344

What a BEAUTIFUL concept and BEAUTIFUL women! Just goes to show that we can't ALL be perfect, and that's perfectly ok!

- Donslady , New York, United States, 26/6/2013 14:25

Click to rate Rating 321

I know it's terrible to say but after looking at these photos I am even more grateful that I didn't get stretch marks whilst pregnant!

- Zara , Expat, 26/6/2013 14:24

Click to rate Rating 442

curently 30 wks pregnant with my 2nd baby and think that these are simply beauttiful, well done to all the women, i wish i could have contributed. shame on all those with horrible comments, you know nothing about beauty and love...

- Sonia , London, United Kingdom, 26/6/2013 14:24

Click to rate Rating 359

i gave birth 10 days ago and am sitting here eating choc peanuts! bovvered? no! we will get backminto shape when we are good and ready!

- Carly Wurly , Uk, United Kingdom, 26/6/2013 14:14

Click to rate Rating 215

- Spooki , Bournemouth, 26/6/2013 13:31 Stretch marks can be genetic some people just don't have the elasticity in their skin to go through a pregnancy and not get them. your very lucky not to have them but i think thats got more to do with good genes rather than the cream you used. I used creams all throughout my pregnancy and it made no difference. your really naive if you honestly think that you've cracked the secret to not getting stretch marks. many women struggle to come to terms with their bodies after child birth and comments like yours do no favours.

- missmercer , Merseyside, United Kingdom, 26/6/2013 14:02

Click to rate Rating 248

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