Black Cat

This photograph is part of a series that was created during my pregnancy and following the birth of my son. I made the photographs as a way to process and document this time in my life. As many first-time mothers can understand, the first year and a half of motherhood is a poignant time of change, emotion and uncertainty. For me, I experienced a full gamut of emotion--anxiety and fear to deep love and joy.

The image of the black cat was made in the early stages of my pregnancy. I used the black cat (a cultural symbol for unfounded fear) as a metaphor for the fear and anxiety I felt during much of the first few months. Will I be a good mother? What if there is something wrong? What if I miscarry? The anxious fear I felt in these first months felt much like superstition, emotions not based on reality. A black cat emerging from the unknown seemed a perfect visual to represent my psychological state at the time.