Part of being willing to pose for fantastic photography is being comfortable with your body. This is as true for a new bride celebrating in a fantastic white dress as it is for a "heavy" girl doing her first boudoir shoot as a gift for a special somebody. And trust me, it only gets harder when you are battling body image issues and a growing baby bump before a day you know you cannot avoid the camera's flash.
I am pregnant. Some years ago now, I was a pregnant bride. Both times I have been keenly aware of the dirty looks that leaving the house being confident and proud of my belly can earn. The inconsiderate whispers of other brides and shoppers stabbed like knives as I did my best to enjoy planning a wedding and getting the opportunity to have a child.
So why does it bother me when I hear or see people commenting about a woman "looking pregnant"? Because pregnancy requires so much bravery and selflessness. Being heavy after a baby is something we shame women into thinking is a flaw, being thick without having a big round belly is rough and we ALL need to remember that healthy and happy people come in more than one size.
I have this shocking theory that the words "She looks pregnant" should never be used when talking about a woman's clothing choices. It may well be one of the most insulting things ever said about a person's appearance for how it defines both body image and maternity. And as a woman who deals with both fashion and nude figures, it is something that irks me beyond belief when I see those comments on a photo of any strong, smart, sassy lady brave enough to not fall into the fear of photos that comes with wearing a dress size beyond single digits.
Stay tuned for a few fun images I have been keeping up my sleeve that prove that "perfect" is a far better word than "pregnant". Beautiful is defined in our minds, not in our media.
