Tired Of Staged Breastfeeding Photos, I Started Shooting It In All Its Beautiful Messiness
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
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What dies it mean "the amazing thing that only we, the women humans of this earth, can do"?she must know that all mammals do just the same..
This is so true! Boy did I get a wake up call when I had my first son last year. All the images out there are SO fake, it's absolutely ridiculous. What is wrong with showing things naturally. Thank you for this.
...seriously "the thing only us woman HUMANS of earth can do" ......what?
Oh it doesn't matter if they are glamorized and staged in a field of tulips and roses, or at home in the middle of the day in their jeans and floppy shirts and tennis shoes in a messy house. Any mother contently feeding her baby, and yes - breast or bottle - they are all beautiful. It's the love, the nurturing and the bonding. I honestly cannot say one is more beautiful than the other.
Thank you , thank you :) these mums and bubs look so natural and beautiful. It was one of my favourite times with my kids.. Thanks ladies
Women! Not women humans! Animals can be regarded to as women too if you have enough respect for them. You probably typed that whilst eating a burger!
Oh I miss those days, my girls are 22 and 17 now. Pictures took me back to those magical days. Don't miss the scratches and teething marks they sometimes let loose with. I used to sit reading with my eldest with the cat on my lap as well.
This is so true! I breastfed my children years ago, before the 'glamor breastfeeding' trend, so I have always just snickered at the perfection of the glam shots of models nursing. I'm glad to see this video portray reality.
Love this concept Breastfeeding sucks and is hard. If i knew that going in, i would have done better.
I am just all around tired of breastfeeding images on the web one way or another, there was a time when breastfeeding was a special moment between a mother and her baby. Its not special anymore.
It's done almost anywhere now and women complain if they are not allowed to breastfeed in public. Why are they dragging their babies everywhere with them like an accessory instead of staying home more?
Load More Replies...
what is with this sick obssession ...just let it be already, Jesus!!! i am so tired of this "special breastfeeding snowflake"!!!! and if anyone disagrees, he/she is a monster, oh my God!!!!!
Sorry but there were only 2-3 photos that seemed natural. Nearly all of the mums wore make up or brushed their hair. My hair looked like bedhead hair & I wore comfy clothing/pjs during my breastfeeding stage.
Depends on how long you nurse your babies. I often was fixed nice while nursing and other times looked like something the cat dragged in. Depends O time of day and how long you've been nursing. I did for a LONG time.
Load More Replies...
What dies it mean "the amazing thing that only we, the women humans of this earth, can do"?she must know that all mammals do just the same..
This is so true! Boy did I get a wake up call when I had my first son last year. All the images out there are SO fake, it's absolutely ridiculous. What is wrong with showing things naturally. Thank you for this.
...seriously "the thing only us woman HUMANS of earth can do" ......what?
Oh it doesn't matter if they are glamorized and staged in a field of tulips and roses, or at home in the middle of the day in their jeans and floppy shirts and tennis shoes in a messy house. Any mother contently feeding her baby, and yes - breast or bottle - they are all beautiful. It's the love, the nurturing and the bonding. I honestly cannot say one is more beautiful than the other.
Thank you , thank you :) these mums and bubs look so natural and beautiful. It was one of my favourite times with my kids.. Thanks ladies
Women! Not women humans! Animals can be regarded to as women too if you have enough respect for them. You probably typed that whilst eating a burger!
Oh I miss those days, my girls are 22 and 17 now. Pictures took me back to those magical days. Don't miss the scratches and teething marks they sometimes let loose with. I used to sit reading with my eldest with the cat on my lap as well.
This is so true! I breastfed my children years ago, before the 'glamor breastfeeding' trend, so I have always just snickered at the perfection of the glam shots of models nursing. I'm glad to see this video portray reality.
Love this concept Breastfeeding sucks and is hard. If i knew that going in, i would have done better.
I am just all around tired of breastfeeding images on the web one way or another, there was a time when breastfeeding was a special moment between a mother and her baby. Its not special anymore.
It's done almost anywhere now and women complain if they are not allowed to breastfeed in public. Why are they dragging their babies everywhere with them like an accessory instead of staying home more?
Load More Replies... what is with this sick obssession ...just let it be already, Jesus!!! i am so tired of this "special breastfeeding snowflake"!!!! and if anyone disagrees, he/she is a monster, oh my God!!!!!
Sorry but there were only 2-3 photos that seemed natural. Nearly all of the mums wore make up or brushed their hair. My hair looked like bedhead hair & I wore comfy clothing/pjs during my breastfeeding stage.
Depends on how long you nurse your babies. I often was fixed nice while nursing and other times looked like something the cat dragged in. Depends O time of day and how long you've been nursing. I did for a LONG time.
Load More Replies... 
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