Modern Mothers Who Truly Change the World: New Book Celebrates 70 Champion Moms in Stunning Photos

Claiborne Swanson Frank holds many titles, among them: mother, photographer, and author to now three (!) must-have coffee table books.

In her newest tome, Mother and Child (Assouline, $85), the former assistant to Anna Wintour zooms in on what motherhood looks like in today’s world. The 278-page book — bound in a delicious shade of bubble-gum pink — features intimate portraits and interviews with 70 stylish mothers (think: Carolina Herrera, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Aerin Lauder) and their equally fabulous offspring.

During her recent visit to Dallas — a few friends and I hosted Clairborne for a book-signing — the mother of two shared with me her inspiration along with insight on what motherhood means to her.

Mother and Child is a beautiful celebration of women. What inspired the book?

Motherhood transformed my world. My small reality of life and my own needs exploded with the birth of my first son. I suddenly felt a responsibility and purpose that I had never known before. With my new insight, I felt inspired to tell a modern story of motherhood, to document and honor this profound human experience.

This book is a study in modern motherhood. Define motherhood today.

This is the first generation, in many ways, of modern motherhood. So many of our mothers had to make hard choices. Many of them weren’t able to have an identity apart from being a mother and wife, and so their individuality often fell to the side.

Women today are determined to find a way to have it all; so many of the women I know want to bear children and be amazing mothers, but they also want to leave their mark on the earth. All of these questions propelled me to create this book and to document the experience of modern motherhood: the miracle of creating life, and the aftermath.

How did you go about selecting the mothers you photographed?

I chose mothers that inspire me — mothers that are leaving their mark on the earth as they contribute and create, all the while also holding their role as a mother most high and important in their lives.

What was the greatest take-away in producing this book?

I learned how truly universal and human the experience of motherhood is — how this love connects us all. I also had the revelation that families are our modern-day tribes. They give us purpose and shelter from the world. Our families define a part of who we are and who we want to be.

I also learned how each mother is doing her very best to be the best parent she can be. Being a mother is the most important job we all have and we each only get one chance to do it right. I felt inspired by how important each mother found their role was as a mother and how deeply they wanted to raise loving, kind thoughtful children.

You grew up surrounded by strong, creative women. How has this impacted your work?

My best friends are my mother and my two sisters — I have grown up in a family of women and my work world has also always revolved around women. My greatest teachers and sources of inspiration are women: be it in my family, my close friends or peers. Women are the heartbeat of my work.

Tell us about your own mother. What is the greatest lesson you learned from her?

My mother is one of the great loves of my life. It’s a deep love, but an easy one. She’s my best friend, my teacher, my healer. She has held me through my darkest days and celebrated me during my lightest. She also happens to be the most thoughtful, kind, and funny woman I know.

She’s always giving back in ways both big and small. She never forgets her thank-you notes, and she always shows up. Her curiosity is boundless: she’s interested in everyone and sees the world through a Technicolor lens.

My mom inspires me to be a better person. And as a photographer, my mom taught me to shoot from my heart, and to see the beauty in everything.

Describe your own approach to motherhood.

I mother from my heart and am very affectionate. At the end of the day I think what children need the most is love and affirmation. Motherhood’s biggest challenges. The patience needed daily to raise children and the ability to discipline my own children are my greatest challenges.

How has being a mother changed you?

I was told that the love between a mother and a child was unlike any other love. I think the greatest gift my children have shared with me is their love. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude that they have so much unconditional love for me — and me for them.

I never knew being a mom would be as much fun as it is, and at the same time, I had no idea how hard parenting can be. No one can teach you how to be a parent — you have to learn each day and find your own truth as to how you want to raise your children.

Being a parent forces you to look at your life and the morals and values you want to install in your children. Parenting has forced me to evolve as a human being — and being a mother has made me a better person. I don’t think I realized how much personal growth was necessary for parenting.

As a working mother of two, what does a typical day look like?

As an artist, my day is never the same. Whatever the plan is, it always starts with morning snuggles with my boys. That is my favorite time of the day.

Do you believe in “balance?”

I run on a lot of green tea and coffee. In reality, I rarely feel balanced. Trying to find the balance between work and family is a daily struggle. I love my family above all and I love my career, so I make it work.