It was during Florence’s Little Sitter session a few weeks ago that it suddenly dawned on me. I realised I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been asked by a client to take a breastfeeding photo. Which is odd given that through my work as a newborn photographer, the studio sees more unfettered boobage than old mate Hugh at the Playboy Mansion.
I don’t know if it’s because people are too nervous to ask or whether it’s because they’re just so daunted by the whole prospect of feeding, especially if they’re new to motherhood, that it’s something they just don’t contemplate capturing.
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– Florence taking a pit stop during her Little Sitter session recently –
To be honest, I would have been mortified if someone had tried to take a photo of me breastfeeding my first child. Feeding in public 9 years ago wasn’t anywhere near as socially acceptable as it is today. If I fed my daughter out and about, the poor thing was near suffocated by a strategically placed wrap. God forbid somebody see something they shouldn’t! As a result I have not one photo of that special time with her. Nada. And that kind of makes me feel sad. It’s like a milestone we forgot to capture and now it’s forever lost.
It wasn’t really a conscious decision to do things differently with my second daughter, things had just kind of evolved. I asked my lovely friend, Amy Rushbrook Photographer to take a couple of photos of Ivy feeding. You can barely see the poor thing over the ridiculous triangular pillow I had to use when I fed her (neck & back issues, ugh!) BUT this was the way we had to do it in the early days and Amy captured it perfectly.
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These days, feeding in public is not only more socially acceptable but celebrated. There are groups and forums and hashtags all dedicated to this beautiful act.
So why aren’t more people capturing it during their newborn or family sessions? You would think that would be the perfect time, right? Hair is brushed, clothes are clean and good money has been paid to have your little family professionally photographed. So why stop there?
Mamas, if it’s something you’d like to remember, please don’t be afraid to ask for a photo of yourself feeding. Don’t think about the breasts that currently look like over-sized melons or the milk that’s just come in and has them feeling like they might explode at any moment. Don’t worry about looking awkward because you and your baby aren’t quite in sync yet. Your photographer is there to bring out the best in you and to make everything look effortless.
Make the most of it!
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-Seana & Kaitlyn take a milk break during their newborn session –
