I was tired of seeing unrealistic photographs of women breastfeeding, so I took a photo of myself breastfeeding my baby, posted it on Facebook, and asked if other women would like to be photographed in the same way. I was inundated with responses, and so the photo series began!
In the media, I feel there is a distinct lack of authenticity in images of motherhood. Most photos are highly stylized, airbrushed, and unrealistic; many are sheer fantasy on what it's like being a mom. Whether it is the angelic mother in her clinical white perfection or some model on the front of a fashion magazine. I’m tired of images that fail to show breastfeeding for real women.
This project is about portraying breastfeeding in all its beautiful messiness. This is a fresh point of view about tired eyes and no makeup. This is about milk leaks and ratty hair. This is about giving in to all the demands of your 2-year-old while you try to feed your newborn. This is about dishes piled up in the kitchen and dirty laundry building in the corner. This is about puke on your shoulder and toys on the floor. This is about let down milk sprays in cafes and engorged breasts at the park.
These black and white photos are about empowering women. This is about the amazing thing that only we, the women humans of this earth, can do; sustain another human's life with our own.
In the media, I feel there is a distinct lack of authenticity in images of women breastfeeding
Self Portrait
Most photos are highly stylized, airbrushed and unrealistic; many are sheer fantasy
Kristie
Whether it is the angelic mother in her clinical white perfection or some model on the front of a fashion magazine
Ellie
I’m tired of images that fail to show the realities of breastfeeding for most women
Amma
I portray breastfeeding in all its beautiful messiness
Lena
This is about tired eyes and no makeup
Kim
This is about milk leaks and ratty hair
Marta
This is about giving in to all the demands of your 2-year-old while you try to feed your newborn
Sofi
This is about dishes piled up in the kitchen and dirty laundry building in the corner
Lauren
This is about puke on your shoulder and toys on the floor
Karly
This is about let down milk sprays in cafes and engorged breasts at the park
Jacqui
This is about empowering women
Mariah
This is about the amazing thing that only we, the women humans of this earth, can do...
Kym
...sustain another humans life with our own
Angela
Marcella
Nat
Sheri
Sarah
Susan
Susie
Brooke
Carmen