Model Ashley Graham is no stranger to body positivity. An inspiration to many women and girls around the world, Graham has always bared it all to show the world there isn’t just one way to look, especially when it comes to the world of fashion and modeling.
Now, Graham, who became a mom for the first time earlier this year in January, is preaching body positivity once again. And people, mothers, in particular, are loving her for it.
Currently, Graham is a model for an all-inclusive swimsuit campaign that features her own swimsuit designs. In a collaboration with Swimsuits For All, Graham’s swimwear line is just that; it was designed for women of all shapes and sizes.
And because much of the world is still social distancing, Graham shot her most recent swimsuit designs where she is quarantining in Nebraska. The pictures were taken by her husband, Justin Ervin, who is in fact a photographer.
But people aren’t just looking at Ashley Graham’s swimsuits.
While her swimsuits are pretty, many are taking notice of Graham’s stretch marks. Instead of choosing to photoshop the stretch marks, the new mom opted to keep her photos as raw as possible.
As Graham wrote on Instagram backyard photoshoots with her family are some of her favorite things. “Some things I love: a cute bathing suit and a backyard shoot with the family! We’ve had such a great time making the most of this summer in Nebraska and these suits have me feeling great for my first summer as a mommy!”
In an interview with People, Graham elaborated on why she opted to not photoshop her photos.
“There’s always a question of what do you want us to retouch, and what do you want us to take out? And I said, ‘Nothing’,” except from a clamp holding up the DIY backdrop. I want everybody to know genuinely… I want people to see who I am because everybody has a story.”
As the model mom continued, she wanted to show people with body image issues or those who lack confidence in their own skin that all bodies are beautiful. “A lot of women I speak to have image issues, body issues around confidence. I want them to understand that we all have things that society has told us to cover up and why do we need to do that? So here I am with mine out and about and proud,” Graham said.
Graham said her and her husband’s goal for the photoshoot was simplicity, yet powerful. “I’ve got more weight on me. I’ve stretch marks, and in the beginning, I really had to have a lot of conversations with myself and tell myself, ‘Okay, new body, new mindset,'” the model admitted.
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However, after doing this particular photo shoot, Graham says she feels “so empowered” now. “I was like, ‘Yes. I look good. I feel good. This is my new mom bod.'” Preach, Ashley Graham!
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