In February of 2017, Beyoncé Knowles announced her pregnancy with the release of a maternity shoot that she had done in collaboration with photographer Awol Erizku. The Internet was in a frenzy and social media platforms were buzzing with opinion. The photographs seemed to be met with either high praise or harsh criticism. I came across one discussion in which a commenter asked why Beyoncé, a person with such wealth and reputation who could choose any photographer she wanted, would choose a photographer with such a “kitschy” style. Many seemed to think the photos lacked sophistication in its art direction, while others identified symbolism and a deeper meaning within the aesthetic.

All of this buzz got me thinking: what about pregnant mothers who cannot afford a "sophisticated" maternity shoot? What about mothers who cannot afford a maternity shoot at all? I spoke with a close friend who was pregnant and said she had been quoted an outrageous $700 for a session. I started thinking about the maternity portraits I see on Instagram and in photography forums. I googled every combination of words that would bring up relevant images. I saw a pattern emerge. Most of these shoots were very stylized, the images all had similarities in locations, style and poses; but the most important thing I noticed was that the mothers all seemed to fit a certain “look”- thin, white, and able-bodied. There was an undeniable lack of representation in black and brown mothers and mothers across the gender and body spectrums.

I am someone who believes that photography should be used as a tool for good whenever possible. An instrument that can amplify voices that exist in marginalized communities. This project provides free maternity sessions for mothers across Chicago, with priority given to POC.

My goal is to win a grant that would provide funding toward outreach efforts and the cost of printing and delivering images. Every mother deserves photos that capture the beauty and miracle of pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood.