Gâu and her son Khoi (Northern Vietnam)
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Romanian photographer Mihaela Noroc is known for traveling the globe as she photographs women for her Atlas of Beauty. And as she took time to capture the portraits of women around the world, she also explored another theme—motherhood. The result is a thoughtful collection of portraits that show the bond between mothers and their children. From Vietnam and Indonesia to Iceland and the Netherlands, Noroc’s series highlights the universal nature of motherhood.
As a mother herself, Noroc has first-hand experience with the incredible love that motherhood brings. She carries this sensitivity to her subject, pulling out the nuances of the individual relationships. Whether it’s the way they lean into each other or the warm glow that radiates from their faces, these mothers and their children show the depths of their bond.
Capturing these relationships, while challenging, was also the most gratifying part of the experience for Noroc. “Although there’s a unique chemistry between mothers and children, it’s not easy to capture it on camera,” she shared with My Modern Met. “Sometimes children tend to be bothered by the camera and making them feel comfortable, capturing that special chemistry is very rewarding.”
By sharing her imagery, Noroc hopes to bring a bit of light to a difficult time. “I hope that during these turbulent times, it will bring a ray of sunshine. I think that a mother’s love is the most intense feeling that exists in this world and we should let it inspire us and counterbalance all the negativity.”
Photographer Mihaela Noroc celebrates motherhood with a touching series of portraits.
Juliana and her son Alex (Andes Mountains, Peru)
Miah, who is from Singapore, and her daughter Haley (Bangkok, Thailand)
Masha, who’s Ukranian, and her son Gasper (Berlin, Germany)
Carmen and her daughters, Ranya and Zara (Bucharest, Romania)
Each photograph highlights the universal bond between women and their children.
Tabassum moved here from Bangladesh in hope of a better life for her daughter. (Kolkata, India)
Mother teaching her daughter a traditional dance (Bali, Indonesia)
Andrea, an adventure guide, and her son Benjamin (Near Reykjavik, Iceland)
Ans and her daughter, Marloes (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Mihaela Noroc and her daughter, Natalia