A powerful new exhibition produced by acclaimed Nikon Ambassador, Carolyn Mendelhson, and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), will open in London this November, shining a light on the often-overlooked realities of motherhood and mental health.

This is Also Motherhood: Portraits of mental health, strength and survival brings together intimate portraits and still life photographs, created with 10 women who have experienced a range of perinatal mental illnesses. Visitors will also be able to hear participants’ stories in their own words through linked audio interviews.

Having been a Nikon photographer for nearly two decades, Carolyn captured these striking images using her Nikon Z8 and Z9 cameras, paired with the versatile NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/2.8, the luminous Z 50mm f/1.2, and the exceptional NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens. This combination of Nikon’s flagship mirrorless cameras and professional-grade lenses allowed Carolyn to create the intimate, nuanced imagery that reflects the complex emotions and realities of motherhood.

Perinatal mental illnesses affect as many as 1 in 4 women and birthing people, and 1 in 10 dads and non-birthing partners. Left untreated, they can be devastating and even deadly; with suicide persistently being the leading cause of death between six weeks and a year after pregnancy in the UK. Yet with the right support at the right time, recovery is possible.

Nikon Ambassador, Carolyn Mendelsohn, says: “I feel so honoured to have worked with these extraordinary women, who shared their stories with such honesty and courage. This commission gave me a rare chance, as an artist, to reflect on my own lived experience too. More than anything, I hope these portraits help open conversations, so others feel heard, supported, and know they’re not alone.”

Nikki Wilson, CEO of the MMHA, says: “We want this exhibition to be a reminder that while mental illness can be part of the journey to becoming a parent, it should never be a source of shame. The MMHA is immensely grateful to the ten women who shared their experiences with such openness. Their stories have the power to comfort parents who see themselves reflected and to challenge the silence that too often surrounds mental health struggles during and after pregnancy.”