Those imperfect moments will empower you to only grow stronger in all aspects in life and in motherhood.
Pregnant with her second baby, Manaia was absolutely glowing for her maternity photoshoot. She wanted to infuse the experience with confidence, pampering and playfulness before giving birth and becoming a mama of 2 boys under 2. Getting to document this season and including her partner and sweet little son was such an honor!
In her images and interview below you’ll see her radiance and strength absolutely shining through and I know her words of mama wisdom will reach your soul.
Manaia’s Interview
What was this photoshoot experience like for you?
My experience today was everything I had hoped for. This is my second pregnancy so going into this I was sluggish and not taking many pictures throughout this whole 9 month period. Today uplifted me, made me feel so beautiful. From the very beginning of our consultation up until getting pampered this morning I was just in awe. I loved it. I’m so grateful.
What does being an empowered mama mean to you?
Being an empowered mama to me means to trust yourself and spread love/kindness to everyone you encounter. Trust empowers you to be confident in yourself and the overall decisions you make as a woman but most importantly as a mother. Being a mother, especially those who are a first time mother, you are forced to take on leadership roles & in doing so, we will make mistakes, cry, feel undeserving or unworthy. However it is so important to just embrace it all. Embrace it all because that will be the key to success. Those imperfect moments will empower you to only grow stronger in all aspects in life and in motherhood.
Biggest lessons of motherhood?
Motherhood has provided me with many lessons, especially realizing how strong mentally and physically a woman can be. One of the biggest lesson, I learned in motherhood thus far is to be flexible because things can change in an instant. Before becoming a mother, I was always big on planning things out and going by the rules. For me, everything needed to be a certain way! Stepping into motherhood with that mindset…jeeez was my world turned upside down! I struggled a lot trying to maintain keeping everything perfectly aligned. Parenting and most especially raising a newborn you are faced with many curveballs and in those instances you need to be able to adjust. The phrase “what works for me might not work for you,” is always in the back of my mind. Everyday is a new day and a new opportunity to learn something. Be okay with not being in control of everything and just go with the flow. Give yourself grace and patience. Let go of all doubts and worries and follow your intuition! At the end of the day, everything ALWAYS works out exactly the way it is supposed to.
One piece of advice that you would share with other moms?
Our children are our greatest teachers. Live in the moment and focus on what you can control. There will be times that you will fail. It is inevitable. But it is what you do next that will determine the future outcome for both yourself and your children. Never compare yourself to another mama, but instead let us all try to support and inspire each other to be the best version of ourselves. Finally, LOVE on your babies every chance and second you get. Cherish and appreciate all that you have right in front of you. Time stops for no one!
