I started photographing mothers nursing their babies last year and it has become one of my favorite moments to capture. The connection I witness between mother and child is beyond words can describe, it's like love and trust are floating in the air and all their energy gets under my skin.
Last August, for World Breastfeeding Week 2015, I made a video with photos, music and quotes from mothers sharing their personal nursing journeys and what it means to them to be able to breastfeed their child. The positive response I received was overwhelming and it helped me convince myself that I was on the right path and that I had found my passion: photographing motherhood. I call my project 'Walks of Motherhood' and the aim is to capture mothers and their children during all the stages of their relationship.
This became more personal last Autumn when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. The connection I had seen so many times in front of my camera, I immediately felt it myself with my baby. I knew I wanted to capture the same for myself, and I enjoyed making a weekly self-portrait accompanied by a journal during my pregnancy. As the due date was getting closer, I got more and more excited about being able to breastfeed my baby and -finally- feel that love I had heard of and seen so many times.
My son was born on July 2016 and I have been exclusively breastfeeding him from day one. I had heard about how wonderful breastfeeding is on an emotional level. But what I hadn't heard was how difficult and painful it could be. In the first few weeks I had cracked nipples (to the point of needing a laser treatment) and I was hospitalized with high fever and a breast infection. Still, I did not give up and continued breastfeeding him... I am convinced it is the best I can do for him! Luckily, things are slowly starting to work out... we are taking small steps!
So this year I am proud to be part of the World Breastfeeding Week :)
Disclaimer: I respect everyone's choices about how to feed their babies... and I am aware that many times it is not even a choice. We are all doing our best for our children and ourselves, and we should all be supporting each other regardless which journey we choose or have to take.
About Tammy: born and raised in Argentina, she is now located in Munich, Germany, where she lives with her husband and baby boy. She specializes in Motherhood and Family Photography and shoots mainly in Germany and Norway.
More info: youtube.com
This is Tammy breastfeeding her newborn baby :)
