Motherhood is a beautiful experience. New mothers seem to radiate with the love of their newborn children, and their lives become magical adventures in which they can watch their little ones blossom and grow. It does, however, have its downsides.
Being a new mom can be difficult for any number of reasons, but a common one is breastfeeding. Look on any social media platform and you will find a strong backlash against mothers breastfeeding in public. These women are made to feel like they should cover up more. But when your baby is hungry, what are you to do?
One photographer decided she’s had enough of the stigma associated with breastfeeding. She hosted an event in which mothers could celebrate this special form of bonding with their children. Trina Cary set up a full moon photoshoot at Kawana Beach on the Sunset Coast of Australia.
“I freaking love women,” the photographer told Love What Matters. She established a safe space where mothers could breastfeed without judgement and enjoy the beauty of the moment.
“These 14 beautiful, wonderful and empowering women came out to my event — some friends, some strangers,” Trina said. “Every time I get a group together I am floored by their ability to befriend and accept one another so freely. I just LOVE being a part of it.”
This photographer loves the idea of motherhood, and she wants to document it in as many ways as she can. Her favorite part of hosting events like this is interacting with the women involved.
“I am flattered to hear their journeys and realize that for some of them, it wasn’t an easy one,” Trina stated. “I am a birth doula along with a photographer, so I have always had a strong love for pregnancy, birth and motherhood.”
Her event touched the hearts of many, but none as much as the women who participated in the beachside breastfeeding. Belinda Dorman tried for three years before she finally became pregnant, and she initially found breastfeeding to be no easier.
“I had weeks of pain so intense I was crying when my baby woke up because I knew more pain was coming,” Belinda explained.
This breastfeeding photoshoot meant the world to her: “I am a very supportive and nonjudgmental person. This wasn’t about anyone else’s journey but my own and damn I deserve to celebrate that! I couldn’t be happier to have celebrated that with these wonderful women and their children.”
Hannah Callow was thrilled to enjoy the trials and triumphs of motherhood in such an inspired way. ““I struggled with my first, and my second time around I was so determined,” she shared. “I am now successfully breastfeeding and couldn’t be more proud.”
The photoshoot was a success, and Trina couldn’t have been more thrilled with the outcome. She had a powerful message for future viewers of the album:
“I hope when women see these images they smile and laugh. I hope they can feel the love that is radiating through these women; strangers that became friends through supporting and encouraging each other in one evening of feeding their little ones together. I want the women in this world to come together.”
“I want to create a powerful, raw, open and loving community in my photography. If I can help women learn to love their stretch marks, extra skin, lumps and bumps, I will! We are all beautiful in our own way and we need to stop comparing ourselves to one another. We are all unique and that’s okay. What’s important is that we support and encourage each other to see the beauty inside ourselves.”
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