Becoming a parent is arguably the biggest responsibility one can bestow upon themselves. The least we can do in return is thank the folks that brought us up. Enter Lithuanian photographer Vaida Razmislavičė. To express her gratitude for everything they've done, Vaida has dedicated an entire series just for motherhood.
Becoming A Mother is a photo series that aim to show how getting pregnant and giving birth changes a woman. Vaida photographed 33 women, before and after they delivered their firstborn, and really focused on their eyes. "For this photo idea, I chose a very simple format, as if I was taking passport photos," she wrote. "I wanted to highlight my model's gaze, taking away everything that would interfere with it (i.e. the belly)."
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"Raising kids is a deep experience, filled with joy, pain, exhaustion, and love," she said. "When a woman becomes a mom, she really feels her inner energy; her intuition becomes stronger, and her wisdom reaches new heights."
Vaida has gone through these changes herself. "Before my firstborn, my idea of motherhood was very different," she told Bored Panda. "To be honest, I didn't feel the motherhood instinct when I first took him into my arms. I've learned everything along the way, including ignoring old know-it-all's and growing the courage to trust my own decisions."
"I came up with the idea for this project when meeting people who thought of a newborn as some sort of obstacle to the parents," the photographer said. "I wanted to show that it's possible to continue living in harmony even after having a baby." Vaida knew this from her own experience as she managed to get a Master's degree while raising two kids.
Vaida said it was really interesting seeing all of the little details that changed in just a few months. "In a way, with these beautiful photos, I ended up healing myself. Looking directly into these women's eyes, I relived giving birth to my first son. All of the traumas and fears that I locked somewhere inside myself came back, only to vanish in the process. I realized the journey I've been on as a mother. The fruits that I'm reaping today now that my boys are almost all grown up."
"I took my time before making this project public," she added. "I would turn on these photos every day, however, it felt like it wasn't the right time. It was as if the series was waiting for its own birth. I had to stop criticizing myself over it. This period was a lot like the time when you're waiting for someone to be born. And it was over the same way, too: you can't control it, you just have to let go and believe that it will happen when it needs to."
Vaida is very grateful to all of the participants. Especially for their patience. The 33 women that stood in front of her camera gave birth to 36 children, including three pairs of twins. In total, 20 boys and 16 girls. Some of them have already celebrated their first birthday.
After she released the project, a few people criticized it for its post production. They said it's what makes the photos differ from one another. And while Vaida agrees it contributed to the overall effect, it was just a small part of it. "At first, I was worried about the lighting. I took the before and after photos in different studios (I used whatever spaces I could get) and even thought I could've faked the first batch of portraits, I didn't want to do it. For this project, I used only natural lighting and because of my lack of experience I forgot that the angle of sunlight in summer and winter are different. Also, things like reflections and the number of windows came into play. I retouched only very little details in post production, though. Now, if I could do it all over again, I'd use artificial lighting, trying to maintain the same conditions for every shoot." The photographer said she welcomes every comment that can help her get better.
From all of these I gather Lithuania is the land of stunning eyes. Is what I learned.
You can totally tell she has gone through a life changing experience such as birthing a child. Oh no wait she changed her hair.
The only difference I see is that they purposely put less contrast in the pictures on the left. Either that or lighting conditions are very different between pictures making this entire project pretty worthless.
Maybe this is just me, but I don't see any difference at all. What are we supposed to be seeing?
I don't understand, their faces look no different basically. Their faces and skin look flawless, I had ny baby almost 10 months ago and still have bad rosacea on my face and my face is still fuller. During my pregnancy and when I had her my face was much fatter. I don't think these are true, with all those women none of them have minor imperfections from pregnancy? I don't think so.
Sooo... long story short for those who didn't read the text: the amateur photographer taking the portraits used different studios AND different lighting for the before and after pics — hence the differences (albeit minor). Ridiculous post.
Basically giving birth gives you a fancier hairstyle, better makeup and the hue around you (including the backdrop) gets warmer and softer. Wow - amazing 😅
Deceptive, bad Photoshop/LightRoom editing. The photographer deliberately kept contrast and sharpness low on the left, and added contrast and sharpness to the right, especially around the eyes. This contrast also provides more saturated appearance. What a sad and petty thing to do to attempt to fool an audience.
So she took pictures of random women before and after a makeover and conjured up a story about how they changed after giving birth. To what purpose may I ask?
It would be interesting to offer these same photos as a Before-and-After guessing game to see what answers people would come up with. What was the event in the middle? Graduated college? Changed marital status? Got a new job? Cancer survivor? Nothing really? Can you spot the phonies? Etc., etc. ... Just because you’re told what the difference was and you believe it, are you perhaps reading something into their faces that isn’t really there?
I got the idyllic idea trying to sip through this, but man... those pics on the right have photoshop running. Different lighting, diffrent colour saturation.
Is it just me, or are the pictures slightly biased? It they seem more heavily edited in the after picture...?
This must be one of the most stupid things I've seen on the Internet... These images tell nothing at all... I'm a photographer but you don't need to be one to see - as the previous comment states - that they've just been retouched differently... I don't even know why I'm wasting time commenting on this 😂 Its just ridiculous
Ok what was your goal here? The look the same why wouldn't they? Lmaoo
This is nonsense! Pictures of the same person can look different based on the age difference, the person's facial expression, hair style, camera angle, lighting, the camera color tone and resolution. The idea that childbirth changes your appearance is ridiculous!
This is pretty pointless. No picture really represents how exhausted they are. Source: New mom.
With the exception of 2, they look the same, just different hair styles.
apparently none of them gained any baby-weight in their face (lucky!!), and all have kids who sleep through the night (miraculous!!). All of the *parents* I know with young kids, do NOT look this refreshed (my respects to everyone with young kids. I know how exhausting it can be)
The title is extremely misleading. It infers the pictures were taken pretty much straight after the birth. If all women had a huge chunk of time in between the photographs being taken and a full hair and make up team, they'd all look amazing too.
Is Lithuania devoid of any kind of diversity? All these WHITE women look around the same age, ideal weight and looks.
Lithuanian women are all beautiful, before and after birth.The only thing different in this post = other use of lighting, different makeup (shades) and maybe use of a couple of filters, nothing else & nothing more.
In other news. Beautiful women are still beautiful after having children.
The only difference I see is better lighting and photo enhancements on the Iris's in the post preg pics
It helps that all of the Women depicted are manicured in the same way essentially. Where's the real pictures? The ones depicting a Woman on her 7th day of 2 hour sleep nights, who can barely form words, with dried spit up in her hair, and part of yesterday's dinner, that she ate over the sink, still stuck tho the front of her shirt, who just wants 10. Minutes. Of sleep. The Women shown are gorgeous, with perfectly combed hair and makeup. Come on now.... =)
They apparently don't deserve as much Photoshop treatment after they became moms. Also using other light and different posing attitude and camera positioning.
Try looking at the photos without thinking of the premise. I guarantee you won't see the difference.
I counted 25.5 pairs of pale eyes. I think women with pale eyes are much better at making babies.
In general, their "after" pictures all look "softer." There is a certain gentleness, especially around the eyes, if only just a little. It's still there.
Late to the party, I know (5 years) but I do see a change. And I may be projecting but a sense a maturity... a breaking and rebuilding of ones personality. a conviction as in " I have done something that almost destroyed me and I have survived.. " would love to see before and after graduation of any Military Boot camp..
They should show pics of their vaginas to show the real damage done.
Exactly 0!!!! Zero, nada..none of them look happy about being a parent...that's sad
Every one of them had a distinct glimmer of light in their eyes they didn’t have before. ( some more then others maybe because of how many times they gave birth ) They looked more alive in their eyes. Eyes are the gates to the soul, birth changes your soul. This was a powerful project.
All the left (before) photos were dimmed, the right ones (after) have more color and sharpness. They were clearly manipulated to make motherhood look good.
a change of style in second photo..... could happen even without becoming a mom..... Beautiful idea though.
As planned - consciously or not - most look happier. It's an example of how effective propaganda works. It's subtle. Not just slightly modifying the background, lights, and filters - perhaps using 1 or 2 friendly, encouraging - or stress provoking words at the time of the picture.
So what in the name of Gilead is the message they're trying to convey here? Are they trying to gaslight you into thinking that making babies makes you prettier or something? #UnderHisEye
I feel that many of the images post are more relaxed around the eyes and mouth. More approachable. Someone wrote still pissy. That was an example of one that didn't benefit from motherhood.
I found almost every one of these women look more open, more grounded and present in the second image. Some times softer too. The before images I see a kind of uncertainty.
Some of the women on the right definitely have bags under their eyes, from sitting up all night with their yucky kids.
yes, there are some photos that the lighting is different. For me I see the different in face shaping... some lose weight and their faced thin out and shows more features while other gained a little and filled out.
I am loving the diversity of the women in these photos . . . Also love the background changes from the before and after . . . Makes it easier to see a difference
Most of the pictures show a movement from inwardness or self-centered focus, to an outward non-self-focused state. A few show very little change, but the inward focus may be a little less pronounced, and a couple were already very outward.
Pft do a before and after raising teenagers. Gray hair, squint lines and perpetual heart burn
Can someone please specify which one is before and which one is after
They all look happier, softer and more self confident. That's what becoming a mother does to a woman. The love for her child and the fact that she has a huge responsibility for her child shows in their faces.
Most of them look slimmer. Some of them look like they were meant to be moms, so warm and kind facial expressions
Lets Do a top 5..of the prettiest women folks ..that political correct right?
In my personal experience, having kids give many benefit... You'll found a reason to be better everyday, learn new things everyday.. You'll found joy of many new activities... And me and my wife income has been increased drastically.. I dunno how to explain, but I think it is a blessing of being parent. It is 10 fold of the number we got before married..
There really isn't much difference between the photos. Other than the women's pics on the right the women look more "woke". Like they've been through something life changing, of course. But overall, I think that's the point. Women are women. If we really want to know we have to talk to them. Hear their stories. We put WAY too much stock in what women look like and how that tells their stories. But their stories are in their experience, not their face.
foundation in the before and after is a different shade. Looks like they have used darker shades in the before, then on the right in the 'after' pictures, lighter foundation, better lighting and blusher/highlighter making their skin look less dull.
Worthless project. There is no difference at all, but what was she hoping to prove? That motherhood somehow is just so meaningful and elevating that it changes a woman into being--what exactly? More beautiful? It didn't quite work out as she intended. No difference in the after photos, other than the expression the woman chose to put on her face that day, and lighting. It would have been just as meaningful if she had taken photos of women before and after eating a pizza. Or watching a movie. Or drinking a cup of coffee. Or taking a big poop. No change.
With the exception of a few who looked a little more ready to show who's boss or perfected the on raised eyebrow two inches higher than the other. Most of these moms looked happy and a little more relaxed and could keep cool when everything up to and including her life, flashed before her eyes as she landed on the head of a pin. I like the hair. Looks sexy like bed head. So I think they look great. And that's why I rent their kids for the day working at school. And I look like they do except I've landed on the other end of a pin and my hair never looks that good. And a couple hundred kids just makes me look like a crazed lunatic.
Why are all of you so set up?? Yes, different studios, different hairstyle ect. Doesn't anybody see the glow in their eyes? The fact that they are far more natural looking? Happily depleted
I think they all look great in both pics. So hopefully that would be me as well, when I have a child myself one day, haha
The only difference I saw, was the after pictures looked happier. (With a couple of exceptions).
It's nice to finally see a family friendly post on here. Lately there were a few posts about how marriage/ kids are bad and being alone is great on which I avoided commenting. But it's nice to finally see some positivity. And all the lonely people in the comments- don't worry you'll find someone.
I find it interesting that in most of the after pictures, the women look younger.
The only difference I see is that they purposely put less contrast in the pictures on the left. Either that or lighting conditions are very different between pictures making this entire project pretty worthless.
Maybe this is just me, but I don't see any difference at all. What are we supposed to be seeing?
I don't understand, their faces look no different basically. Their faces and skin look flawless, I had ny baby almost 10 months ago and still have bad rosacea on my face and my face is still fuller. During my pregnancy and when I had her my face was much fatter. I don't think these are true, with all those women none of them have minor imperfections from pregnancy? I don't think so.
Sooo... long story short for those who didn't read the text: the amateur photographer taking the portraits used different studios AND different lighting for the before and after pics — hence the differences (albeit minor). Ridiculous post.
Basically giving birth gives you a fancier hairstyle, better makeup and the hue around you (including the backdrop) gets warmer and softer. Wow - amazing 😅
Deceptive, bad Photoshop/LightRoom editing. The photographer deliberately kept contrast and sharpness low on the left, and added contrast and sharpness to the right, especially around the eyes. This contrast also provides more saturated appearance. What a sad and petty thing to do to attempt to fool an audience.
So she took pictures of random women before and after a makeover and conjured up a story about how they changed after giving birth. To what purpose may I ask?
It would be interesting to offer these same photos as a Before-and-After guessing game to see what answers people would come up with. What was the event in the middle? Graduated college? Changed marital status? Got a new job? Cancer survivor? Nothing really? Can you spot the phonies? Etc., etc. ... Just because you’re told what the difference was and you believe it, are you perhaps reading something into their faces that isn’t really there?
I got the idyllic idea trying to sip through this, but man... those pics on the right have photoshop running. Different lighting, diffrent colour saturation.
Is it just me, or are the pictures slightly biased? It they seem more heavily edited in the after picture...?
This must be one of the most stupid things I've seen on the Internet... These images tell nothing at all... I'm a photographer but you don't need to be one to see - as the previous comment states - that they've just been retouched differently... I don't even know why I'm wasting time commenting on this 😂 Its just ridiculous
Ok what was your goal here? The look the same why wouldn't they? Lmaoo
This is nonsense! Pictures of the same person can look different based on the age difference, the person's facial expression, hair style, camera angle, lighting, the camera color tone and resolution. The idea that childbirth changes your appearance is ridiculous!
This is pretty pointless. No picture really represents how exhausted they are. Source: New mom.
With the exception of 2, they look the same, just different hair styles.
apparently none of them gained any baby-weight in their face (lucky!!), and all have kids who sleep through the night (miraculous!!). All of the *parents* I know with young kids, do NOT look this refreshed (my respects to everyone with young kids. I know how exhausting it can be)
The title is extremely misleading. It infers the pictures were taken pretty much straight after the birth. If all women had a huge chunk of time in between the photographs being taken and a full hair and make up team, they'd all look amazing too.
Is Lithuania devoid of any kind of diversity? All these WHITE women look around the same age, ideal weight and looks.
Lithuanian women are all beautiful, before and after birth.The only thing different in this post = other use of lighting, different makeup (shades) and maybe use of a couple of filters, nothing else & nothing more.
In other news. Beautiful women are still beautiful after having children.
The only difference I see is better lighting and photo enhancements on the Iris's in the post preg pics
It helps that all of the Women depicted are manicured in the same way essentially. Where's the real pictures? The ones depicting a Woman on her 7th day of 2 hour sleep nights, who can barely form words, with dried spit up in her hair, and part of yesterday's dinner, that she ate over the sink, still stuck tho the front of her shirt, who just wants 10. Minutes. Of sleep. The Women shown are gorgeous, with perfectly combed hair and makeup. Come on now.... =)
They apparently don't deserve as much Photoshop treatment after they became moms. Also using other light and different posing attitude and camera positioning.
Try looking at the photos without thinking of the premise. I guarantee you won't see the difference.
I counted 25.5 pairs of pale eyes. I think women with pale eyes are much better at making babies.
In general, their "after" pictures all look "softer." There is a certain gentleness, especially around the eyes, if only just a little. It's still there.
Late to the party, I know (5 years) but I do see a change. And I may be projecting but a sense a maturity... a breaking and rebuilding of ones personality. a conviction as in " I have done something that almost destroyed me and I have survived.. " would love to see before and after graduation of any Military Boot camp..
They should show pics of their vaginas to show the real damage done.
Exactly 0!!!! Zero, nada..none of them look happy about being a parent...that's sad
Every one of them had a distinct glimmer of light in their eyes they didn’t have before. ( some more then others maybe because of how many times they gave birth ) They looked more alive in their eyes. Eyes are the gates to the soul, birth changes your soul. This was a powerful project.
All the left (before) photos were dimmed, the right ones (after) have more color and sharpness. They were clearly manipulated to make motherhood look good.
a change of style in second photo..... could happen even without becoming a mom..... Beautiful idea though.
As planned - consciously or not - most look happier. It's an example of how effective propaganda works. It's subtle. Not just slightly modifying the background, lights, and filters - perhaps using 1 or 2 friendly, encouraging - or stress provoking words at the time of the picture.
So what in the name of Gilead is the message they're trying to convey here? Are they trying to gaslight you into thinking that making babies makes you prettier or something? #UnderHisEye
I feel that many of the images post are more relaxed around the eyes and mouth. More approachable. Someone wrote still pissy. That was an example of one that didn't benefit from motherhood.
I found almost every one of these women look more open, more grounded and present in the second image. Some times softer too. The before images I see a kind of uncertainty.
Some of the women on the right definitely have bags under their eyes, from sitting up all night with their yucky kids.
yes, there are some photos that the lighting is different. For me I see the different in face shaping... some lose weight and their faced thin out and shows more features while other gained a little and filled out.
I am loving the diversity of the women in these photos . . . Also love the background changes from the before and after . . . Makes it easier to see a difference
Most of the pictures show a movement from inwardness or self-centered focus, to an outward non-self-focused state. A few show very little change, but the inward focus may be a little less pronounced, and a couple were already very outward.
Pft do a before and after raising teenagers. Gray hair, squint lines and perpetual heart burn
Can someone please specify which one is before and which one is after
They all look happier, softer and more self confident. That's what becoming a mother does to a woman. The love for her child and the fact that she has a huge responsibility for her child shows in their faces.
Most of them look slimmer. Some of them look like they were meant to be moms, so warm and kind facial expressions
Lets Do a top 5..of the prettiest women folks ..that political correct right?
In my personal experience, having kids give many benefit... You'll found a reason to be better everyday, learn new things everyday.. You'll found joy of many new activities... And me and my wife income has been increased drastically.. I dunno how to explain, but I think it is a blessing of being parent. It is 10 fold of the number we got before married..
There really isn't much difference between the photos. Other than the women's pics on the right the women look more "woke". Like they've been through something life changing, of course. But overall, I think that's the point. Women are women. If we really want to know we have to talk to them. Hear their stories. We put WAY too much stock in what women look like and how that tells their stories. But their stories are in their experience, not their face.
foundation in the before and after is a different shade. Looks like they have used darker shades in the before, then on the right in the 'after' pictures, lighter foundation, better lighting and blusher/highlighter making their skin look less dull.
Worthless project. There is no difference at all, but what was she hoping to prove? That motherhood somehow is just so meaningful and elevating that it changes a woman into being--what exactly? More beautiful? It didn't quite work out as she intended. No difference in the after photos, other than the expression the woman chose to put on her face that day, and lighting. It would have been just as meaningful if she had taken photos of women before and after eating a pizza. Or watching a movie. Or drinking a cup of coffee. Or taking a big poop. No change.
With the exception of a few who looked a little more ready to show who's boss or perfected the on raised eyebrow two inches higher than the other. Most of these moms looked happy and a little more relaxed and could keep cool when everything up to and including her life, flashed before her eyes as she landed on the head of a pin. I like the hair. Looks sexy like bed head. So I think they look great. And that's why I rent their kids for the day working at school. And I look like they do except I've landed on the other end of a pin and my hair never looks that good. And a couple hundred kids just makes me look like a crazed lunatic.
Why are all of you so set up?? Yes, different studios, different hairstyle ect. Doesn't anybody see the glow in their eyes? The fact that they are far more natural looking? Happily depleted
I think they all look great in both pics. So hopefully that would be me as well, when I have a child myself one day, haha
The only difference I saw, was the after pictures looked happier. (With a couple of exceptions).
It's nice to finally see a family friendly post on here. Lately there were a few posts about how marriage/ kids are bad and being alone is great on which I avoided commenting. But it's nice to finally see some positivity. And all the lonely people in the comments- don't worry you'll find someone.
I find it interesting that in most of the after pictures, the women look younger.