Lifestyle

Mom Shares Photos Of Girls As Princesses AND Athletes In An Important Lesson About Choice

Twisted: Unserious food tastes seriously good.

By Craft Factory

May 20, 20195 mins

Mom Shares Photos Of Girls As Princesses AND Athletes In An Important Lesson About Choice

While Alabama-based photographer Heather Mitchell was watching her eight-year-old daughter's softball practice, a conversation with another parent sparked an idea. "One of the moms told me (my daughter) was not athletic — that she was a girly girl," Mitchell told Today. "I couldn't sleep that night. All I could think was, 'Why does she have to choose?'"

It's a good question, especially today, when conceptions of gender are more fluid. Who says you can't be a girly girl and an athlete? After all, Serena Williams, who is widely regarded to be the greatest tennis player of all time, competed in last year's US Open while wearing a tutu. Some girls - and boys - want sparkles and facepaint, tiaras and helmets, crinolines and cleats.

girl dressed as athlete princess Credit: HMP Couture Imagery

And it's not just today's enlightened generation; when Mitchell was a kid, she "played every sport offered and wore lipstick to every game." "Our daughters do not have to choose," she asserted. "My parents taught me that I could be anything I wanted growing up. I didn't realize until I was much older that everyone is not that blessed."

After that sleepless night, Mitchell came up with a creative idea to help other parents think outside the box. She invited her daughter, Paisley, into her studio and snapped photos of her dressed as a princess while holding softball gear. When she uploaded the images to Facebook, other parents requested similar pictures, leading to a stunning "athletic princess" photoshoot.

girl dressed as athlete princess Credit: HMP Couture Imagery

Mitchell uploaded the photos to her Facebook page, HMP Couture Photography, with the message: "Because you can do it all." The pictures went viral, getting shared more than 185,000 times, with more than 35,000 comments. "I hope that every little girl that sees this series can see that there is no box," Mitchell told Today. "Whatever their dreams are, they can achieve them."

In the comments, several parents shared similar experiences with their daughters. "I did a similar shoot with my daughter. She’s played ball and won a beauty pageant all in one weekend!" wrote Amy St. Clair. "You do not have to choose, she is a girly girl that’s softball team was the best 16u team in the nation and they’re all beautiful. Athletes can be beautiful girly girls too!"

girl dressed as athlete princess Credit: HMP Couture Imagery

The photos also provoked debates about what it means to be feminine. "It’s a beautiful thing being a woman. The ability to be a nurturer and strong," observed Stacy Jenschke, while Sophie Lennon commented, "It makes me think about the real implications of being a girl. Like, even if you play sports, or are highly academic, or make music, or whatever you do, there's still an underlying expectation to be "feminine."

To which Lisa Crowden Willard replied, "I think it shows our girls they can have the best of ALL worlds if they want it."

This article first appeared on VT.co

Advert

Related Article

These Pictures Of Tattooed Parents Posing With Their Babies Are Wonderfully Unique
Lifestyle

Apr 24, 2019

5 mins

These Pictures Of Tattooed Parents Posing With Their Babies Are Wonderfully Unique

In days gone by, a tattooed parent would have almost certainly raised a few eyebrows. But now that 36% of Americans between 18 and 29 have at least one inking, tattooed parents are becoming increasingly normal. And well they should be! Tattoos are a legitimate art form, as we recently…

Mom Crushes Marathon Record While Pushing Three Kids In Stroller
Lifestyle

Jul 15, 2019

5 mins

Mom Crushes Marathon Record While Pushing Three Kids In Stroller

Making the decision to run a marathon is not one that anyone should take lightly - because, without adequate preparation, 26.2 miles can easily break you. But imagine doing just while pushing not one or two, but three kids in a stroller all the way over the finish line. Well,…

6 Reasons Why You Should Be Glad Your Toddler Is Having A Temper Tantrum
Lifestyle

Apr 24, 2019

5 mins

6 Reasons Why You Should Be Glad Your Toddler Is Having A Temper Tantrum

The second year of a child's life is not called the terrible twos for nothing. Old enough to talk and walk, but still not old enough to grasp the fact they can't have everything their own way, it's when our little angels are most prone to temper tantrums. And while…

craft-factory
craft-factory

Feeling Creative?

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive only good things