Chelsea Craig was recently on a photo shoot with her young daughters, ages 3 and 8 months, when they began to get fussy. So she decided to breastfeed them.
Family photographer Mae Burke, who is based in Texas, was on-hand and captured the tender moment between the mom and kids.
“I take pictures that are very candid moments, and if their children happen to want or need to breastfeed, then I just keep taking pictures like I normally would,” she told People magazine.
When the photos were shared by sites like KidSpot and BuzzFeed, commenters began offering their two cents, some of which were negative. But Craig was unfazed.
“The responses from everyone who knows me has been overwhelmingly positive,” she told The Huffington Post in an email Monday. “As can be expected, the responses from the masses have been mixed. I learned very quickly that I should not read the comments. Many people assume I am seeking out attention and that is why I had these published. Truth is, these pictures where never planned. It was an organic moment in a motherhood shoot that has memorialized a beautiful moment between my daughters and I. Like I have said, I am not nursing for any purpose than to meet the needs (first nutritionally and now emotionally) of my daughters.”
Burke told KidSpot that she shared the photos in hopes of “adding worth to women” through the use of beautiful imagery, and maybe shifting the conversation.
As for Craig, she is happy to be a part of it.
“I truly think it is a shame that we as a society find it so easy to criticize each other, especially as mothers ... I believe the vast majority of us are doing what we believe to be best for our children, and that is what is most important. I am confident in my choices, and as I have said, I do not think they are best for everyone, but they work for us. Some women have found strength and confidence in their choices as a result of these photos and the conversations that have spurred. For that, I am grateful. We should be lifting each other up, and I am happy to have taken part in that.”
Family photographer Mae Burke, who is based in Texas, was on-hand and captured the tender moment between the mom and kids.
“I take pictures that are very candid moments, and if their children happen to want or need to breastfeed, then I just keep taking pictures like I normally would,” she told People magazine.
When the photos were shared by sites like KidSpot and BuzzFeed, commenters began offering their two cents, some of which were negative. But Craig was unfazed.
“The responses from everyone who knows me has been overwhelmingly positive,” she told The Huffington Post in an email Monday. “As can be expected, the responses from the masses have been mixed. I learned very quickly that I should not read the comments. Many people assume I am seeking out attention and that is why I had these published. Truth is, these pictures where never planned. It was an organic moment in a motherhood shoot that has memorialized a beautiful moment between my daughters and I. Like I have said, I am not nursing for any purpose than to meet the needs (first nutritionally and now emotionally) of my daughters.”
Burke told KidSpot that she shared the photos in hopes of “adding worth to women” through the use of beautiful imagery, and maybe shifting the conversation.
As for Craig, she is happy to be a part of it.
“I truly think it is a shame that we as a society find it so easy to criticize each other, especially as mothers ... I believe the vast majority of us are doing what we believe to be best for our children, and that is what is most important. I am confident in my choices, and as I have said, I do not think they are best for everyone, but they work for us. Some women have found strength and confidence in their choices as a result of these photos and the conversations that have spurred. For that, I am grateful. We should be lifting each other up, and I am happy to have taken part in that.”
