A stunning new photo series has highlighted the realities of breastfeeding, and just how many varying places women have to feed their babies in.
The images in the series were taken by photographer Victor Castro for a campaign by maternity wear brand Cloak. Featured are three mums, Asiya Vickers, Raychelle Balentien and Yael Marmon, breastfeeding their little ones out and about in public places.
Image: Victor Castro, Maggie Cely and Erica Daniels
The scenes differ from park benches and stations to cafes and public bathrooms. Some of the women can be seen to be wearing covers, but in other images they're just breastfeeding their baby by discreetly moving their top - the people behind the shoot said they just wanted to make sure the women felt comfortable.
Image: Victor Castro, Maggie Cely and Erica Daniels
Celebrating the everyday, and the normality of breastfeeding, the images were produced to raise awareness about how this subject is still taboo in many people's eyes.
Image: Victor Castro, Maggie Cely and Erica Daniels
The co-producer Maggie Cely reached out to friends and acquaintances to make sure the women portrayed were as authentic as possible, and not stylised or over produced as she noted that most breastfeeding shoots have a glamorous, yet unrealistic, feel to them.
Image: Victor Castro, Maggie Cely and Erica Daniels
Speaking to The Huffington Post she said, 'We wanted to create photography that demonstrates the courage and fortitude of those who choose to breastfeed in public, and do so as they resume work and daily life.'
Image: Victor Castro, Maggie Cely and Erica Daniels
The idea was conceptualised along with Cloak maternity wear founder Mara Kelly who said she was inspired by her own experiences of breastfeeding. 'As a nursing mother of two who pumped or nursed each baby for over a year, I was shocked at how incredibly challenging it was to nurse in public,' Mara said. 'At the same time, the last thing I wanted to do was be tethered to my apartment all the time.'
Image: Victor Castro, Maggie Cely and Erica Daniels
Cloak's ethos is to provide nursing mothers with stylish and comfortable clothes, so they include hidden zips, poppers and layering for easy feeding, on the go.
Image: Victor Castro, Maggie Cely and Erica Daniels
