*** Update 2/10/2017: This event has been cancelled. Those with tickets will be refunded.***
Motherhood can leave us feeling vulnerable, raw and weak in the knees (not to mention our pelvic floor). However; when fully embraced, motherhood can also be metamorphic, empowering, inspirational and incomparably beautiful.
Have you ever looked in the mirror at your postpartum body and been plagued with negative thoughts? Yes, your body has changed; but we are here to tell you that change is ok — transformation can be cause for celebration!
Little Lake County is proud to partner with Advocate Condell Medical Center to bring you Mama Strong on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Featuring the talents of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project, our goal is to help women uncover their own amazing strength, beauty and courage.
Mama Strong with Advocate Condell Medical Center
featuring 4th Trimester Bodies Project
Saturday, February 18, 2017 ~ 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Advocate Condell Medical Center Conference Center (West Entrance)
801 S. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville
Pre-registration required.
The 4th Trimester Bodies Project is the brainchild of photographer Ashlee Dean Wells. Along with her business partner, Laura Weetzie Wilson, she’s published a book, The 4th Trimester Bodies Project: Celebrating the Uncensored Beauty of Motherhood featuring images and stories of women around the country who have made the choice to love their new and changing bodies. You can read more about this project on The Huffington Post, Parenting and CNN.
Photo Source: 4th Trimester Bodies on Facebook
Based in Chicago, the pair have toured the country connecting with other women to promote body positivity and postpartum care. On Saturday, February 18th they will head to Lake County to headline our Mama Strong event and offer mini photo session packages to our readers which will include three (3) digital images.
This is your unique opportunity to work with the creative souls behind 4th Trimester Bodies who have received national attention for their important work and have recently completed their worldwide tour. These mini-sessions offer you the chance to share in the experience of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project at a fraction of the cost of a studio session, and in the convenience of the Lake County area, along with activities for you and your child(ren.)
We encourage you to bring your babies and young children to our gathering of mommy power! In addition to the photo shoot, our guests will enjoy:
- Complimentary refreshments
- Prizes and gift bags with goodies!
- Mommy & Me Music and Movement Class with Ms. Ginger from Music-in-the-Box.
- Storytime Yoga with Shelly Elliott, LCPC, RYT from Counseling Connections in Libertyville and Vernon Hills.
- Chair massage from Center for Wellness in Mundelein.
Advocate Health experts in lactation, pediatrics, family medicine and perinatal health will also be available to answer questions and offer advice.
We will connect with one another and share our birth stories through visual art. Local artist and mom, Hyacynth Worth will help guide you in turning your story into a work of art to cherish throughout your journey through motherhood. Together we will find sisterhood and strength as we empower and uplift one another!
The Contest – Win a *FREE* Photo Session
While it’s true that pictures are worth a thousand words, a story told in your own words is just as priceless. We invite our readers to submit a short essay that briefly describes your own birth story and how/why you are choosing to be body-positive at this stage in your life. Our editors will select three (3) winners who will each receive:
- Professional hair styling and light makeup
- Complimentary mini-photo session by 4th Trimester Bodies
- Three (3) digital images (photographer’s choice)
- FREE admission to Mama Strong for you and your child(ren) along with included activities
- Your profile and story published on LittleLakeCounty.com in 2017.
Entries should be submitted via email to [email protected] and should be 300 words or less. Entrants vouch that they are at least 18 years old and give approval for their images and essay to be used for promotional purposes by Little Lake County, Advocate Condell Medical Center and 4th Trimester Bodies Project. All submissions must be received by Friday, February 10, 2017 in order to be eligible.
On February 18th, we’re going to embrace not erase.
We will no longer measure our worth by how small our pants are, but by the expanse of our hearts.
We will lift each other up, not tear each other down.
Let’s show Lake County what it means to be Mama Strong.
Mama Strong with Advocate Condell Medical Center
featuring 4th Trimester Bodies Project
Saturday, February 18, 2017 ~ 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Advocate Condell Medical Center Conference Center (West Entrance)
801 S. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville | (847) 362-2900
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Register NOW, space is limited.
**For a limited time only, use promo code: 20Off for $20 off the price of admission***
Tickets are $110 plus Eventbrite fees and include:
- Mini 4th Trimester Bodies photo session with three (3) digital images (photographer’s choice)
- Light refreshments and beverages
- Share your birth story through art
- Meet and Greet with Advocate Health Experts
- Children’s and Mommy & Me activities
- Yoga and massage
- Gift Bags
Infants, toddlers and young children may accompany our guests for FREE, please indicate age(s) Children of all ages welcome, however, please note activities will be geared towards infant-preschool age.
Photo Shoot FAQ
Do I have to be in my 4th Trimester to participate?
No! We use the term “4th Trimester” very loosely. As long as you are a mother, you are welcome to participate. We’ve photographed mothers of loss, foster/adoptive/step mothers, as well as grand/great-grandmothers.
What do I wear during my photo shoot?
We ask that you bring a solid black bra and black underwear. You can pick whatever style suits you best. Lace and detail are okay. Undies are required, bras are totally optional. You should also bring a fitted black shirt or blouse.
Do I have to be photographed with my children? What do they wear/how old?
You are welcome to be photographed with your children of any age if you would like, but this is in no way required. We love photographing our participants by themselves also! We request that children three old years and under pose in their birthday suits. If you would like for older children to be involved we have no problem with them wearing bike shorts, undies, leotard etc. as long as it is solid black and form fitting.
How should I arrive (hair/makeup)? What should I bring?
Professional hair and makeup is not provided during our mini-sessions. We suggest light, natural-looking make-up and hair and your body should be moisturized. We define light, natural make up as: light foundation, powder, or concealer, glossed or moisturized lip, natural shadow and mascara. Please do not wear any eyeliner, lipstick, or heavy eye make. Style short or natural hair as you normally do and long hair is best left down with soft curls optional.
All you need to bring with you is a solid black bra/underwear and a fitted black top.
Do I get to choose my final photos?
Mini-sessions are photographers’ choice. You will receive hi-res digital copies of your top three (3) images.
Will my photos be published online or used as part of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project?
Only our three (3) essay contest winners will be featured as part of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project as well as on LittleLakeCounty.com. You receive full rights to your top three (3) digital images selected by the photographer.
I cannot attend the event! Can I book my own session at a different time and date?
You may contact 4th Trimester Bodies Project to book your own private shoot package at their Chicago studio which includes natural hair and make up, interview and head shot. The cost for a full studio session is $225.00. Please visit the 4th Trimester Bodies Project website for full details.
How will this mini-session differ from a traditional 4th Trimester Bodies photo shoot?
Hair, make up and interview are not included for participants at this event. Those who register will have full rights to their three (3) digital images selected by the photographer; however, their images will not be published as an official part of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project.
The only exception is that the three (3) winners of our essay contest will receive professional hair and make up and their images and essays will be shared by the 4th Trimester Bodies Project and LittleLakeCounty.com.
Disclosure: Advocate Condell Medical Center is the paid presenting sponsor of this event. Other co-sponsor have been provided promotional consideration in exchange for their services.
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