“I love the juxtaposition of pregnancy. It is such a hard, challenging process. The sickness, swelling, cramping, loss of sleep, sacrifice of what we can put in our bodies, the changes it does to our bodies. But when you see pictures of pregnant women like this you just see the beauty. The fruit of their labor; the creation of life and the beautiful gift that is. That is why I love documenting my pregnancies. It’s my celebration of what I endure and what I create as a result and the beauty that is greater than my struggles. 

Motherhood to me means strength. My own mother modeled strength in raising my brother and me mostly on her own while dealing with an unhealthy marriage and it taught us how to persevere through challenges. When I first became a mother I faced the hardest season of my life and I was able to fight through it with incredible strength and somehow manage to enjoy the gift of my new daughter. It still amazes me to look back and refIect on the strength God gave me to do what I did. I am amazed by the strength women show through pregnancy, labor, and then caring for their babies in the newborn stage. I want to encourage mothers everywhere who doubt their value and self worth to remember how STRONG you are are; remember how much your body does and what we endure out of sheer love and determination to be the best mamas we can be for our littles. Many of us don’t stop with motherhood, we tackle careers, volunteering, caring for family, the list goes on. So remember mamas– you are strong and you are flat out amazing!” Kira, Expectant Mother

KELSEY MARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY