We may live in an Instagram-filtered, Pinterest-perfect world, but if the reaction to one family's unusual maternity photo shoot is any indication, most of us prefer the real thing, even when it's a little (or a lot) messy.
The photos, taken by Dallas birth photographer Elaine Baca, show very pregnant mom-to-be Brittany Barton, her husband Jon, and their two oldest sons throwing, dancing in, and just generally living it up in the Texas mud.
Not what you'd have in mind for your maternity session? Apparently it wasn't what Brittany planned either, but as Baca told CafeMom, "In Waxahachie, Texas, when it rains it pours. In the weeks leading up to the maternity session, the rain was relentless."
The family rescheduled several times and considered indoor photo locales, but Baca had a better idea for the family. She knew they were outdoorsy, fun, and up for anything. "They have a huge backyard which backs up to a field, and I knew it had lots of muddy puddles, so I asked her what she thought about playing in the rain and ending with a mud fight," the owner of Lane B Photography says. "I don't think she even hesitated; she said she trusted my vision and wanted to go for it!"
The results are pure magic … a reminder that life may get messy, but that's part of the fun, especially when you have kids!
You Need Some Here ...
Brittany is a stay-at-home mom to 4-year-old Declan and 2-year-old Noah, as well as baby Matthew (still in Mom's belly in these photos!).
We're Coming, Mama!
There's no question you're a cool mom when you let the kids leave giant mudprints on your dress!
A Little Bit Muddy
It's all fun and games … until your brother coats you in mud!
Missed a Spot!
Hey Mom, can I add some more on the back?
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What's Dad Up To?
Jon has a lot of fun with his kids. "As soon as Jon walks in the door after work, you can just see the boys' faces light up as they run to him, ready to wrestle and play," Baca says.
The Mud Is Flying!
Brittany gave birth just nine days after this shoot!
Dad's Turn!
Bigger handprints this time.
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Talk About a Handful
Baca hopes these photos inspire more parents to consider documentary-style shoots, be it for maternity or other family sessions.
Running in the Mud
Dressing kids in white may seem like a recipe for disaster … but not when you're going to let them wreck their outfit anyway!
Look, Ma, Dirty Hands!
"Photo sessions are all about preserving memories and making new ones," Baca says. "With small children it's about remembering their ever-changing personalities and quirks that make them unique. Why worry about making them stand still and smile for the camera when you can engage and play with them to get their natural expressions captured on camera?"
Perfect Aim
"With this genre of photography, parents don't have to stress about getting their little ones to sit still and look at the camera and kids get to be kids while doing something everyone enjoys," Baca says.
Here, Dad!
Mom wasn't the only one to get a hearty helping of wet dirt dumped on her!
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Squishing and Stomping
Nearly half the moms in America confess to getting stressed out by the perfection of Pinterest, but the Bartons' photos show the beauty in getting messy.
All on Dad
"It's so rare that I see two parents who work so well together to raise and care for their children while being so in love," Baca says of this couple.
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Amidst the Chaos
The couple that gets messy together stays … sane with three young kids in the house!
All in a Row
From that grin, you can tell Declan (right) really loved the mud!
Ready for the Hose
Baca calls Brittany one of the sweetest people she knows. "She takes the time to not only care for her boys but play with them and teach them on a daily basis," she says.
Coated in the Stuff
The dirt really shows in black and white!
Outside Showers
Outside showers are a must after a shoot like this.
Good and Dirty
Big smiles!
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