Okay, some people may say, “No one needs to see that” or, “Yes, that is beautiful, but it’s an intimate photo, and really shouldn’t be shared” – but when we think about it, couldn’t that go for most of the photos we see on Instagram anyway?!
When this amazing birth photo was removed from Instagram after being deemed “too graphic” – breaching the platform’s community standards – photographer Jessica Jackson wanted to know why.
And we’re right there with her.
While of course we can’t control what the people running Instagram choose to do, the decision to delete the photo does reveal an attitude we can’t quite get to grips with.
What could be ‘graphic’ about the birth of new life? About a baby coming into the world and taking its first breath?
An individual that finds themselves offended by a photo of the human body doing the most natural thing is the world needs to have a think about why they feel that way. Why are their sensibilities affronted by it? And in the case of Instagram, why does it feel their users will find it ‘graphic’ – and not pretty damn cool?
In a world of over-sexualisation, violent movies and videos of atrocities shared on social media – why is this offensive?
Jessica, from Itty Bitty Photography has defiantly decided to share the image on Instagram again, captioning it: “I decided I would have a go at reposting this image for the third time. I started to type some censored text to pop over it but then I looked at the image and thought what am I censoring? Either a midwives hand or a baby's head?
“Look at this gorgeous squishy baby half born earthside, with amniotic fluid dripping from his nose (this photo has been flipped). Birthed at home by his amazingly strong mama.”
God woman yourself, we say. Keep posting your stunning images Jessica, and we’ll keep sharing them.
