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The 4th Trimester Bodies Project is an ongoing photo documentary created by Chicago photographer and mother of three, Ashlee Wells Jackson. This project is dedicated to embracing the beauty inherent in the changes brought to our bodies by motherhood, childbirth and breastfeeding.
What started as a passion project for Ashlee to learn to accept the physical aftermath of a traumatic pregnancy and birth experience has become a platform to encourage all mothers to love and accept the stretches, scars and stripes that come from bearing and raising our little loves.
We are currently photographing women in and around the Chicago area. We have already captured women in 6 US cities and have 25 more US Cities, along with 6 International countries scheduled in 2014/2015. The end goal of this project is a community website, gallery show and ultimately, a series of published books of collected stories and captured photographs.
We hope to change the way women look at their physical selves postpartum and, by supporting this project, you're helping us do just that. We want to change the dialogue that people tend to have about a woman's worth associated with youth and beauty.
We need to raise a bare minimum of $37.5k to make the next 6 months of this project a reality. The entire process from start to finish is budgeted at approximately 3-400K. That includes 2.5 years of travel allowing us to photograph nearly 1,000 families and tell their stories, indefinite shooting in Chicago, publishing a large, coffee table style, high quality hardcover photobook in multiple volumes, a traveling gallery show and managing/maintaining a supportive online community.
While we are seeking the help of corporate/independent sponsors and considering the benefits of self publishing vs. working with a publishing house, we need YOUR help to meet our crowd funding goals. There is no cost to participate in the project. Our shoots are complimentary or on a suggested donation basis and Ashlee hasn't taken any pay related to the project; we are attempting to purely let the project pay for itself.
Here is a brief breakdown of costs:
1. Travel (including airplane fares, hotels, rental cars, food), studio rentals, assistants, hair and make up artists, maintaining and transporting gear all require funding. 1 US city costs roughly $2,500 or more to complete and an international city is far more costly. Studio space in an average city is $250-$500 per day, The seamless paper we shoot on and transport to each city is $50+ per roll alone. Studio lights that encounter tiny humans capable of defying even the strongest sandbag can cost us $300-$1200 to replace.
2. Self publishing the final product requires a significant budget.
3. It costs money to edit, copyedit, typeset, and design a book—even before you actually print and ship the copies—and photography books require the right kind of paper stock and printing expertise to show the photos in their best light.
4. Preparing and delivering prints while coordinating and overseeing a traveling gallery of the work is a costly endeavor as well.
By asking you to buy your copy or copies before they're printed, we not only make sure we don't waste paper by printing exactly the number we need, but we save money.
If we don't meet our funding we will have to largely scale back the traveling portion of this project. However, if we meet or exceed our budget, any additional funding will allow us to expand our travel schedule including even more women in the project. We will be able to print more books, more volumes of the book, and invest even more money in our beautiful community.
We’re offering many ways in which you can invest in this project. Have a look and thanks so much for taking part!
Not able to fund this project at the moment but want to help anyway? Please share this campaign widely. Let every parent, woman, grandmother, aunt and compassionate person you know about this exciting project. Help us make some noise!
If you'd like to participate please email us! 4thTrimesterBodies@gmail.com
{A note on our expected book release and perk fulfillment. We HOPE to have the first volume of our book in hand by fall next year but wanted to anticipate time for any delays or hiccups that may come our way. Should the book be released sooner we will of course update our backers and fulfill our perks asap}
Perks
- 14 claimed
Your donation with others will add up to help us on our way and as a thanks we'll send you some 4th Trimester Bodies Project inspired stickers! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 6 claimed
You'd like to support our project and help us reach our goal with a small donation. We'll thank you with 4th Trimester Bodies Project inspired buttons and stickers. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 1 claimed
This is a very popular donation level that makes a difference! We'll thank you with a 4th Trimester Bodies Project Onesie. Fitted jersey. Black with white text. Available in 12mo. Shipping Included. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
This is a very popular donation level that makes a difference! We'll thank you with a 4th Trimester Bodies Project T-Shirt. Fitted jersey. Black with white text. Available in S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL Shipping Included. Please note size with donation. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
Thank you! At this donation level you'll receive a signed 8x10 print and stickers from the 4th Trimester Bodies Project. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 1 claimed
While these photos and stories just crave to be printed we've had lots of requests for e-books and since it will save us on print costs and still allow us to share our stories this perk comes with a pdf version of the finished 4th Trimester Bodies Project book vol. 1 *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 1 claimed
- 19 remaining
Pre-Order the book at an early bird steal! This book comes with a printed, bound, hardcover version of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project book vol. 1. Thank you! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
- 20 remaining
This perk includes Pre-Order of the printed, bound, hardcover version of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project book vol. 1. PLUS an e-book version to share with a friend! Thank you! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 1 claimed
This book comes with a printed, bound, hardcover version of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project book vol. 1. Thank you! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
This perk comes with a printed, bound, hardcover version of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project book vol. 1. signed by Ashlee Wells Jackson. Thank you! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
Thank you! This perk is your purchase of The 4th Trimester Bodies Project book Vol. 1. Signed by photographer Ashlee Wells Jackson. We will also include a hand written note or dedication authored by you, written by Ashlee. 50 words max. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
This perk includes a ticket to our Chicago gallery show/launch party, The 4th Trimester Bodies Project book Vol. 1. Signed by photographer Ashlee Wells Jackson, stickers and buttons. Thank you! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
Wow! At this level you deserve a special thank you and we'll do just that by printing a thank you just to you in the final version of the book. This perk also includes a ticket to our Chicago gallery show/launch party, The 4th Trimester Bodies Project book Vol. 1. Signed by photographer Ashlee Wells Jackson, 4th Trimester t-shirt, stickers and buttons. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
- 5 remaining
Thank you! This very special perk allows you to print a public dedication to a very special someone in the final version of our book. 150 words max. Only 5 available. This perk also includes a ticket to our Chicago gallery show/launch party, The 4th Trimester Bodies Project book Vol. 1. Signed by photographer Ashlee Wells Jackson, 4th Trimester t-shirt, stickers and buttons. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
Yay! Want to learn your way around professional camera, lighting and studio gear? Want to learn to take better pictures of your friends or your family? Maybe you want to learn how to become a portrait photographer? Or simply spend a day with our team in our studio? This is your opportunity to get a one-on-one mentoring session from Ashlee Wells Jackson in her Chicago studio. We'll travel in North America for this if you'd like, but all costs associated with travel must also be covered by you. And yes, this perk definitely also includes a signed copy of The 4th Trimester Bodies book Vol. 1. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
Highlights
See all activity34Activity
- 14 claimed
Your donation with others will add up to help us on our way and as a thanks we'll send you some 4th Trimester Bodies Project inspired stickers! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 6 claimed
You'd like to support our project and help us reach our goal with a small donation. We'll thank you with 4th Trimester Bodies Project inspired buttons and stickers. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 1 claimed
This is a very popular donation level that makes a difference! We'll thank you with a 4th Trimester Bodies Project Onesie. Fitted jersey. Black with white text. Available in 12mo. Shipping Included. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
This is a very popular donation level that makes a difference! We'll thank you with a 4th Trimester Bodies Project T-Shirt. Fitted jersey. Black with white text. Available in S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL Shipping Included. Please note size with donation. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
Thank you! At this donation level you'll receive a signed 8x10 print and stickers from the 4th Trimester Bodies Project. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 1 claimed
While these photos and stories just crave to be printed we've had lots of requests for e-books and since it will save us on print costs and still allow us to share our stories this perk comes with a pdf version of the finished 4th Trimester Bodies Project book vol. 1 *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 1 claimed
- 19 remaining
Pre-Order the book at an early bird steal! This book comes with a printed, bound, hardcover version of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project book vol. 1. Thank you! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
- 20 remaining
This perk includes Pre-Order of the printed, bound, hardcover version of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project book vol. 1. PLUS an e-book version to share with a friend! Thank you! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 1 claimed
This book comes with a printed, bound, hardcover version of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project book vol. 1. Thank you! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
This perk comes with a printed, bound, hardcover version of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project book vol. 1. signed by Ashlee Wells Jackson. Thank you! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
Thank you! This perk is your purchase of The 4th Trimester Bodies Project book Vol. 1. Signed by photographer Ashlee Wells Jackson. We will also include a hand written note or dedication authored by you, written by Ashlee. 50 words max. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
This perk includes a ticket to our Chicago gallery show/launch party, The 4th Trimester Bodies Project book Vol. 1. Signed by photographer Ashlee Wells Jackson, stickers and buttons. Thank you! *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
Wow! At this level you deserve a special thank you and we'll do just that by printing a thank you just to you in the final version of the book. This perk also includes a ticket to our Chicago gallery show/launch party, The 4th Trimester Bodies Project book Vol. 1. Signed by photographer Ashlee Wells Jackson, 4th Trimester t-shirt, stickers and buttons. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
- 5 remaining
Thank you! This very special perk allows you to print a public dedication to a very special someone in the final version of our book. 150 words max. Only 5 available. This perk also includes a ticket to our Chicago gallery show/launch party, The 4th Trimester Bodies Project book Vol. 1. Signed by photographer Ashlee Wells Jackson, 4th Trimester t-shirt, stickers and buttons. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
- 0 claimed
Yay! Want to learn your way around professional camera, lighting and studio gear? Want to learn to take better pictures of your friends or your family? Maybe you want to learn how to become a portrait photographer? Or simply spend a day with our team in our studio? This is your opportunity to get a one-on-one mentoring session from Ashlee Wells Jackson in her Chicago studio. We'll travel in North America for this if you'd like, but all costs associated with travel must also be covered by you. And yes, this perk definitely also includes a signed copy of The 4th Trimester Bodies book Vol. 1. *If this is a Holiday gift please let us know and we'll email you a printable certificate to give. Please note that actual product will not be delivered until AFTER the Holidays.
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