Naturi Naughton's ESSENCE Magazine Maternity Shoot

Joey Rosado @islandboiphotography for ESSENCE

Glowing and gorgeous…

Naturi Naughton’s ESSENCE Magazine Maternity Shoot

Naturi Naughton recently posed for a maternity shoot that was dubbed an “ode to black culture.” The “Power” star who’s expecting her first child with her longtime love Ben recently shared Afrocentric photos with ESSENCE as she prepares to give birth to her baby girl.

The actress who feels “really happy” about her pregnancy told the mag all about the photo shoot and dished on values she plans to instill in her child.

On the photo shoot:

“It’s kind of like our first family photo shoot. I felt gorgeous and he was looking all good, and we just made the best of something that I didn’t even know if it would fit into the schedule. The photographer [Joey Rosado] was so wonderful and he made me feel beautiful, but I feel beautiful every day with my man. He tells me everyday, and he talks to my stomach and we do a little thing where we just have a moment where we’re really appreciative of every blessing. I think the photo shoot captured that love and the love inside of me.”

On whether or not she feels pressure to get married: 

“I don’t feel crazy pressure anymore. Naturally, the way I grew up and the way I was raised…I didn’t anticipate being pregnant at this time. Of course I wanted to be a mom and have children, but the reality is God’s plan is not always in alignment with my plan. I wanted to do it my way, but it doesn’t always work out that way. I still think I can still have that dream, and I want to be married — and I will — I think we’re just taking it step-by-step and not worrying about what other people’s judgments or thoughts are because at the end of the day, they’re not living for me, or for us.”

Joey Rosado @islandboiphotography for ESSENCE

On her Afrocentric maternity shoot theme:

“We both just really appreciate Black culture. Ben wore a shirt from Ghana and my theme was “It takes a village to raise a child” for my baby shower. We just always try to incorporate African proverbs or Kente cloth or using different images to celebrate this beautiful Black girl that’s coming into the world. I think in society we get so caught up trying to assimilate and be like other people, but in reality what we feel is that we just want to celebrate who we are.”

On what she plans to impart to her daughter:

“Everything that my parents imparted to me. When I was coming up we didn’t have the movement of Black Girl Magic or Black Girls Rock, but my parents made it their business to make sure I saw positive images of myself and celebrated images of Black women. I want to implement those same things but thank goodness today there’s a movement that celebrates all of our hues, our shades, our beauty, our lips, our noses–there’s a celebration surrounding Black women.

I grew up with insecurities about those things because people made fun of my complexion or made fun of how big my lips were when I was a kid. Even when I was a professional singer, I went through things in 3LW that really weighed on my self-esteem. I’m just sick of it. Thank God, now we have a time where we can make sure these girls know how beautiful they are, how special they are, and how worthy they are.”

Congratulations Naturi!

Joey Rosado @islandboiphotography for ESSENCE

More photos on the flip.

Creative Director: Tiffany Lamb @touched_by_tiff
Hairstylist: Tiffany Lamb @touched_by_tiff
Photographer: Joey Rosado @islandboiphotography
Makeup Artist: – Kenyada Lamb @yada.d.glam
Stylist: Mickey Freeman @mickeyboooom
Body PainT: Moshoodat @moshoodat