Muddy Maternity Shoot Embraces the Beautiful Mess That Is Motherhood

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 ...

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Lane B Photography

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!

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Lane B Photography

There's no question you're a cool mom when you let the kids leave giant mudprints on your dress!

A Little Bit Muddy

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Lane B Photography

It's all fun and games … until your brother coats you in mud!

Missed a Spot!

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Lane B Photography

Hey Mom, can I add some more on the back?

More from CafeMom: 15 Things We're Sorry We Ever Judged Moms for Doing

What's Dad Up To?

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Lane B Photography

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!

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Lane B Photography

Brittany gave birth just nine days after this shoot!

Dad's Turn!

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Lane B Photography

Bigger handprints this time. 

More from CafeMom: Why Expecting Motherhood to Be 'Natural' Is a Load of BS

Talk About a Handful

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Lane B Photography

Baca hopes these photos inspire more parents to consider documentary-style shoots, be it for maternity or other family sessions.

Running in the Mud

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Lane B Photography

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!

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Lane B Photography

"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

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Lane B Photography

"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!

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Lane B Photography

Mom wasn't the only one to get a hearty helping of wet dirt dumped on her!

More from CafeMom: 13 Ways Dads Do Parenting Better, According to Moms

Squishing and Stomping

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Lane B Photography

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

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Lane B Photography

"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.

More from CafeMom: 15 Weirdest Things Parents Have Seen in Their Baby's Sonogram

Amidst the Chaos

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Lane B Photography

The couple that gets messy together stays … sane with three young kids in the house!

All in a Row

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Lane B Photography

From that grin, you can tell Declan (right) really loved the mud!

Ready for the Hose

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Lane B Photography

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

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Lane B Photography

The dirt really shows in black and white!

Outside Showers

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Lane B Photography

Outside showers are a must after a shoot like this.

Good and Dirty

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Lane B Photography

Almost Clean

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Lane B Photography

Check out more of Elaine Baca's photos on her website.