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Rather than centering children in the frame, the project focuses on three women navigating early motherhood, exploring the emotional and personal transformation that accompanies the role.
Three Mothers, Three Stories
Each woman wears Iro and Buba, grounding the portraits in cultural continuity while representing a younger generation of mothers. The images move between environmental portraits, gestures, and still moments of reflection, allowing presence, posture, and expression to speak.
For Patience, motherhood reshaped her sense of responsibility and purpose, strengthening her commitment to the people who depend on her.
“Becoming a mother made me see myself as a stronger woman who is willing to sacrifice for her child, family, and loved ones. It has shaped me to always strive to do better because I have a responsibility to raise and guide my child well.”
Among the moments that stay with her most is a simple but powerful one.
“The most meaningful moment for me is hearing my child call me ‘my mummy.’”
She also challenges the assumptions often placed on young mothers.
“Some people believe young mothers are inexperienced and cannot do much, especially when it comes to caring for their children, but that is not true.”
Looking ahead, she hopes her children will one day see this portrait and understand something clearly: “I was, and still am, very proud to be a mother.”
For Sandrina, motherhood began as an unexpected shift in identity, one that gradually revealed a strength she had not fully recognized in herself.
“At first everything seemed new and strange, but as time went on I realized how strong and smart I truly was.”
She also reflects on the assumptions often made about young mothers.
“Most people feel young mothers are incapable of looking after babies, but we are doing a great job. A mother’s strength increases the moment she sees her little one.”
Looking back at this stage of her life, Sandrina hopes her child will understand the effort behind the decisions she made.
“I want them to know I was doing my best, trying to make good decisions while still figuring things out. I’m strong because of them.”
Motherhood, for Catherine, revealed a resilience she did not know she possessed.
“Being a mother helped me discover an inner strength I never thought I had. I now find myself multitasking and showing up anytime and every time.”
For her, the most meaningful moments are the quiet ones that begin each day.
“Waking up to the smile of my healthy child.”
She also speaks about the way young mothers are often misunderstood.
“Bouncing back to being confident and visible in every area of our lives is often misunderstood.”
When her children eventually see this portrait, she hopes they recognize the strength behind this chapter of her life.
“I would want them to see the strength I carry being a mom, and to do even better when it is their turn.”
Released for Mother’s Day, the series approaches motherhood not only as caregiving, but as a transformative stage of identity, resilience, and pride.
