15 inspiring pictures showing the real beauty of motherhood

US photographer Jade Beall has made it her mission to celebrate women's bodies.

A message on her website says her dream is to "inspire future generations of women to be free from the unnecessary self-suffering and embrace their beauty just as they are".

Some of the below photos are taken from her The Bodies of Mothers project and book, which features untouched shots of pregnant women and new mothers.

The project has already helped women who were questioning portrayals of the 'perfect' body.

Rebecca Williams, 33 who has a two-year-old son, said:

Society tries to teach women that their bodies are ornamental first, useful second.

I am in awe of my body: it had everything it needed to produce another human. That's pretty impressive.

All photos kind courtesy of Jade Beall Photography. Follow her on Facebook here.

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