Ever see a picture that makes you want to shout with joy? Well this shoot of gorgeous and powerful breastfeeding mums are making us do just that.
Trina Carey, an Australian photographer, gathered a group of 14 "brave and beautiful” mothers to celebrate the beauty and triumphs of breastfeeding.
And OMG are the pictures giving us the feels.
Speaking to Love What Matters, Trina said that she conceived the shoot idea because she "freaking loves women".
"I hope when women see these images they smile and laugh," she explained. "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.”
For the women involved it was a chance to celebrate their journeys into motherhood, and all the obstacles that they've overcome.
Belinda struggled with infertility for three years before having her baby River. After such a long and arduous journey, she suffered with mastitis and dermatitises while breastfeeding. She persevered, and the shoot was a chance to celebrate that.
"I am a very supportive and non-judgmental 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.”
Another mother who had cause to celebrate was Leilani.
“Breastfeeding was a struggle for Bella and I. I had to use express and bottle feed for three weeks when she was just a few weeks old to rest my cracked and bleeding nipples. I had to use nipple shields for three months as Bella couldn't latch properly without them.
"I shed many tears but was determined to persevere. Now Bella is 9 months and feeding is second nature. I wanted to celebrate how far we’ve both come.”
Yes mamas! Yet another reason why all mums are superstars!
