When Paris-based photographer Priscillia Saada gave birth to her second child, she felt a creative rush she couldn’t ignore. Camera in hand, she started documenting the mothers around her— not in picture-perfect poses, but in all their glorious, messy, half-dressed magic. This evolved into MOONS: a bold and tender photo project turned book and exhibition. Saada shares the inspiration behind her intimate images, her mission to challenge clichés of motherhood, and why a little humour goes a long way when telling the real story of mums.
In conversation with Priscillia Saada
What was the exact moment after having your second child that made you pick up your camera and begin MOONS?
After giving birth to my second child, Sasha, I felt incredibly strong and full of energy — probably the hormones! I was eager to work, to create, and to shoot something meaningful that could capture that feeling. When her godmother came over to meet her for the first time, we went for a walk with her daughter. I took my camera with me and ended up capturing the very first photo of MOONS. That’s how it all started.
You’ve spoken about wanting to challenge the traditional portrayal of motherhood. What does the ‘romanticised yet exhausted’ narrative miss about the reality of being a mum?
Motherhood is different for everyone — and even with two children, the experience can vary so much. But what I’ve seen again and again is that mothers are far from the clichés we’re often shown. The women I’ve met during this project are powerful, multitasking, deeply loving. Mothers are often portrayed as overwhelmed or secondary.
MOONS is intimate, raw, and cheeky — literally! What made you decide to include so many moments with mums showing their bottoms?
When I started MOONS, I had no idea I would end up photographing so many mums. I showed the first few images to my friend and art director, Valentine Étiévant, and she immediately said, “This is amazing. You need to make a book out of this — and shoot more!” We wanted to create a kind of visual inventory, a pure photography project, playful and bold. Showing skin wasn’t provocation — it was about honesty and humour, about capturing real moments without filter.
How did you go about choosing the mothers featured in the book? We loved seeing Paris Mitchell Temple from Paris Georgia in there.
It started very naturally. I had a party for my birthday and asked all my friends to come with their kids. I told them, “I’m going to shoot you.” The results were so cool and spontaneous. Following Valentine’s advice, I began reaching out to other mothers I knew or followed on Instagram. It became very organic. Each shoot would lead to another… That’s how the network grew. I met Paris on a shoot and when I learned she was a mum too, I asked her if I could shoot her, and she was super into it.
The book is full of wardrobe malfunctions — why were those ‘slip’ moments so important for you to capture?
It’s a tribute to my own mother, who I always remember half-dressed, barefoot, moving around the house with a beautiful kind of chaos. She was always busy taking care of us, and there was something so radiant in that nonchalance.
Many of your images have a strong fashion aesthetic. How do you think fashion and motherhood intersect?
They coexist, and often in surprising ways. For me, there’s something incredibly stylish in the everyday messiness of motherhood. It’s not about polished looks, but about personality, movement, and reality. There’s so much expression in how mothers dress and carry themselves — often without even thinking about it.
What role does humour play in MOONS?
It’s really difficult to get [humour] because it can be too staged. I’m always moved by images that make me smile, or laugh. A touch of humour adds a layer of truth and humanity. It breaks the distance between the viewer and the subject. In MOONS, it helped capture those in-between moments of motherhood — the chaos, the absurdity, the tenderness. It keeps things real.
MOONS feels like a love letter to the energy and chaos of motherhood. What do you hope new mums take away from the book?
During the exhibition, some people told me, “This project makes me want to have a kid!” I loved hearing that. I hope new mums feel seen and celebrated when they look through the book. I want them to recognise their own strength, confidence, and beauty in the images. To know that being a mum doesn’t mean losing yourself. It’s the opposite — you become more.
What’s next for you creatively?
I’m working on another personal project about mothers. It’s not a direct continuation of MOONS… but I’m really excited about it. I feel like there’s still so much to explore — so many ways to tell real stories about motherhood and women.
This article originally appeared in Fashion Quarterly‘s Winter 2025 issue.
Photography: Priscillia Saada
Words: Sarah Murray
