Twisted reality

As a Photographer who has done a few maternity photo shoots, I was shocked when I came across a post on Facebook today displaying another maternity Photographer's work...   And it was not the photos, but the comments by other women.   The Photographer in question has the concept of photographing pregnant women underwater, in quite a stunning and surreal way.   This is beautiful technique and illustrates the female body and personality wonderfully.   However as I read through the comments more and more, the overall reaction was negative and judgemental almost beyond sense.    Saying that the women in the photographs were 'sexualised' because they were wearing bikinis... well, to start with, they are underwater.   But the harsh criticism that arose just over some high heels appearing in one photograph was astonishing... with other women stating that it can't be comfortable while pregnant and pregnant women only want to wear baggy clothes and not look sexy.

Then there are the comments that the 'male' Photographer would have only chosen 'beautiful' women to photograph... How naive and again sexist.   Our clients choose us, we don't choose them.   They wear what they feel comfortable in, and we never tell them what to wear or make them wear something they don't want.  We may suggest some poses, which is only natural for a Photographer to do.   Mostly they are 'every day' women, not models or women who want to appear sexualised, etc.  Oh, and they all love the finished product.   Then look at some of the worlds most successful maternity photographers, and they are women (a good friend being one of them) photographing in a similar beautiful style (although not under water - nice idea! :) ).

Any maternity photograph is a celebration of femininity and new life - something that should be embraced by all women, especially one's whom have lived through pregnancy.   It is a gift women have, and no photographer in the world would intentionally put a women down because they don't feel or look as beautiful as others do.  Fashion and style is a conscious choice, as I know some women who never wear heels, and some who have a hundred pairs.   It is absolutely appalling to read some comments by women in that post who conclude that a woman who wears heels and a bikini for a maternity photo shoot is asking for sex... honestly I never thought women could be so sexist or superficial... really sad, and such a twisted view of reality.

Footnote: There are some women in the FB post who have also expressed the same opinion I have, but unfortunately a minority.