When Helen Aller posted a stunning and beautiful photo of a newborn baby lying beside his Mum’s caesarean scar, she could have never imagine the chord this powerful image would strike with people around the world.
Image from Helen Carmina Photography Facebook Page
Helen’s original photo has been liked by more than 213,000 people and shared over 62,000 times, with publications across the world sharing the image and the powerful story behind it.
In her Facebook post, Helen explains:
“I photographed this mama’s pregnancy a while back, and she was telling me how terrified she was of having a C-section. Well last week she went into labor but had to have an emergency C-section after complications. She asked me to cove over this morning and shoot this particular image, as her worst nightmare proved to be what saved her and her child’s lives.”
Image source: Carmina Photography Facebook Page
People from around the world have been touched by this picture, with many showing their support on Helen’s Facebook page leaving comments such as:
“My wife had both our children via c section. She tries to hide it and wishes it wasn’t there because it’s a scar but every time I see I think about how she’s the best mom I could’ve wanted for my children. I don’t see a scar – I see a love the (sic) doesn’t stop. I see a mother who gives everything she has. I see every reason I ever loved her.”
“I’ve never had a c section. However, I do believe this photo shows the strengths women have and the obstacles women are willing to go thru (sic) for the love we have for our children. The day we find out we’re pregnant is the day we fall n (sic) love.”
“It’s a beautiful and powerful photo! Thank you for sharing! I have been there and I know that you have to heal the unexpected. Women needs more support, it’s a very special and sensitive moment. Love this picture.”
“This is such a powerful image. I also had an emergency c-section. It makes you realise the beauty in it all. Thank you so much for sharing. And kudos to this mama for allowing you to photograph such an impactful portrait!!! This needs to go viral for all those mamas who know how stressful it can be to know your baby is in distress. And thanks to all the doctors for their knowledge and powerful hands.”
While there has been a lot of positive feedback for the images, many people have also felt uncomfortable with it and the photo has been reported to Facebook several times to be taken down. To say Helen has been shocked by the response to this image is an understatement, in a Facebook post she says:
“So usually images I post are seen by roughly 100 people. The image I posted last night has reached over half a million people worldwide. It’s had so much amazing feedback coupled with a fair bit of negativity but as they say Art is subjective. It’s wonderful to read all the amazing stories people have posted because of it. But it has left me wondering how on earth the Renaissance painters got away with painting nudes all those centuries ago when this image is causing so much controversy in this day and age?! #crazyworld”
Image from Helen Carmina Photography Facebook Page
In an interview with The HuffPost UK Helen says:
“To me it’s a beautiful image that shows both a struggle and something beautiful.. I have received so so many stories from C-section mums saying how it has changed the way they look at their scars. I can’t believe the amount of women that are ashamed of their scars and are made to feel like they haven’t done the job properly because they didn’t give birth naturally.”
Helen continues by saying:
“I feel proud that an image I created has allowed so many people to open up about their experiences and change the way they feel about something they should only feel pride for, giving life shouldn’t be a competition of how you did it.”
How do you feel about this image?
