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.

More info: igg.me | Tumblr

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