The Beauty of Motherhood
Beyond "Mom"
I'm creating a nude photography project with mothers who want to be seen beyond the 'Mom' role. I'm looking for early participants to help build this work.
I'm Joshua-a late-diagnosed autistic adult who spent forty years masking without knowing it. My transformation was invisible; yours is written on your body. Both come with the same pressure: hide it, fix it, get back to who you should be. This project asks a different question: what if the work is learning to exist as your transformed self?
Your images stay private unless you later choose to share them. Many participants keep everything private. That's completely valid-creating meaningful images together is valuable whether or not they're ever seen beyond you.
What This Gives You
- Two separate decisions-First: create images exploring who you are beyond "Mom." Later (after seeing results): decide if you want any images considered for publication. Many participants keep everything private, and that's completely valid
- All the images from your session-they're yours, whether or not they're ever published
- Time to exist without performing-2-3 hours where you're not managing anyone else's needs or expectations
- Images that show you as you actually are-not performing, not fixed, not "after"-just you, now
- A chance to explore how you feel about your body-whatever that is
- Documentation of your transformed body-the stretch marks, the changed shapes, the evidence of what you survived and created, seen clearly instead of hidden
How It Works
We're figuring this out together. This project is in development-I'm building it through collaborative sessions. That means some improvisation, some discovering what works as we go.
This is a collaboration, not a performance. You lead-I photograph.
Before we meet, you choose 2-3 words that describe who you want to embody or rediscover: strong, soft, free, wild, brave, tender, grounded, alive. These words become your compass.
This is a nude photography project. We'll work together to find the right approach for you-implied nudity, partial, or full-but this isn't a clothed portrait project. If you're not comfortable with your body being visible in some form, this probably isn't the right fit.
During the session, we move slowly. There are no "perfect poses" to hit. Instead, I'll offer simple prompts that invite you to connect with your chosen words: "What does 'free' feel like in your body?" "Let the light find you." "Just breathe."
This isn't about pretty pictures. It's about being seen as you actually are, not as you think you should be.
Who This Is For
This work is for mothers who:
- Feel like they've disappeared under the "Mom" role
- Want to be seen as more than their function
- Have a body that tells a story they're not sure how to feel about
- Are tired of performing who they think they should be
- Want time and images that acknowledge who they actually are right now
Not sure if this is for you? Take the self-assessment to find out.
Ready to Participate?
If this resonates with you, express your interest and I'll reach out to start a conversation.
Express InterestQuestions first? Email me directly
Beyond Your Session
As this project develops, I may create public-facing work from it-exhibitions, publications, or other formats I haven't imagined yet. But here's what that means for you:
Step 1: We create images together. You get all the images from your session. They're yours.
Step 2 (later, separate decision): After you've seen the results and had time to sit with them, we can talk about whether you'd want any images considered for public sharing. This is completely optional. Many participants keep everything private.
You don't have to commit to sharing anything publicly to participate. Creating meaningful images together is valuable whether or not they're ever seen beyond you.
Ready to Participate?
I'm looking for mothers who want to help build this work. No experience needed. No body requirements. Just willingness to try.
Maybe you're at acceptance with your transformed body. Maybe you're grieving it. Maybe you're angry or confused. All of it counts here.
Remember: Participating doesn't mean agreeing to public sharing. It means creating images together and deciding later-after you've seen the results-what feels right about sharing them.
Express InterestNot sure? Take the self-assessment • Questions? Email me
Learn More About the Project
Explore these pages to understand the vision, approach, and practicalities.