Project Takes Revealing Look at How Motherhood Changes Women

From a news release:

The experience of motherhood is uttered in many ways but for photographer Christina Boyd, it is captured through her lens from her home studio in Southfield with her little toddler running around catching smiles from the mother models and their children.

"The Formation of Motherhood" project is about capturing the physical and emotional changes that come along with motherhood.

Both before and after giving birth women experience many physical and emotional changes. This project is an attempt to capture that cascade of change in a woman’s life. In this portfolio participants share these intimate moments with us visually, along with what becoming a mother has meant to them in their own words.

Lisa Ball of Clawson, project coordinator and mom to a now 2½-year-old, also participated in the project as a model.

She feels passionately about the project because of her own struggles as a new mom dealing with postpartum depression, body self-esteem, and the stress of going back to work with a new baby at home.

“That first year almost ended in divorce,” she said. “I don’t think anyone can ever explain how taxing adding a new life to your existing relationship can be, but we have adjusted and understand our roles now.”

She said she and her husband “still bicker” as most married couples do from time to time, but “just have to keep reminding oruselves nto to sweat the small stuff.”

Through the support of her husband, new-found friendships with peers, and collaborating with Christina she has found peace inside and out, she said.

>>> Read more of her interview here.

The two moms hope to recruit more models and showcase the work at area art centers and nonprofit organizations.

"Our goal is to publish a book of all our models stories and images celebrating family and motherhood,” Ball said.

DISCUSS: What would you like for others to understand about the journey to motherhood? Tell us below in the comments.