Photographer Mary Ann Halpin started her journey in the early 1990’s exploring a project about women’s body issues. Photographing many young actresses, Mary Ann became troubled by the body image problem many of them wrestled with. Being a Hollywood actress, they were constantly judged by their looks. Each woman expressed dissatisfaction regarding their bodies. Thus, Mary Ann began her figure study project. She put the word out to friends for test models. Her first photo shoot for this project was a pregnant woman. She was struck by the joy the woman felt about her body with her belly so full of baby! Her project shifted and it eventually became a book of 65 expectant mothers, Pregnant Goddesshood: A Celebration of Life. Controversial at the time, it was featured on The View, Inside Edition, Extra and A Baby Story. It was the first book of pregnant portraits and created the now ever popular “Pregnant Portrait.”