Perfectly orchestrated photos of celebrities breastfeeding in full hair and makeup are all well and good, but moms know the reality of breastfeeding is a lot messier — and a lot less airbrushed! Now there's a series of photos of real moms nursing in all their unfiltered glory, and guess what? The pics are just as gorgeous as any star's selfie.
Australian artist, photographer, and mother-of-two Suzie Blake was as tired as the rest of us of the ultra-glam version of breastfeeding portrayed in most viral photos, so she decided to document real moms nursing in a series called "What Does Breastfeeding Look Like?"
"When I was feeding my second son, 6-month-old Xavier, I decided to take a self-portrait and post it on Facebook to see if other women would be interested in being photographed in the same way. I was inundated with responses, and so the project began," she writes on her website.
"This project is about portraying breastfeeding in all its beautiful messiness. This is about tired eyes and no makeup. This is about milk leaks and ratty hair."
You had us at "tired eyes"! Click through our slideshow to see the beautiful, unvarnished shots, and visit Blake's Tumblr or Indiegogo page for more info on the project.
Image via Suzie Blake/Tumblr
"Kat"
This gorgeous lady looks remarkably well-composed for a woman whose toddler is playing with her necklace while she nurses him in public. (We've all been there!)
"Elena"
Always good to have someplace to put your feet up. And a room with a view doesn't hurt either!
"Amma"
Uh-oh, looks like somebody very cute is up to some mischief in this pic — and Mom knows it, too!
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"Heather"
Little guys just love getting themselves into creative nursing positions! At least the couch looks comfy.
"Sarah"
An absolute lifesaver for any tired nursing mom: the side-lying position. More pillows, please!
"Mariah"
It's important to recharge in between trips down the slide and sessions on the swing. (Hope there's a Starbucks nearby for Mom!)
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"Kristie"
Since Mom can't get up at the moment, that adorable little girl isn't going to take the opportunity to get into any trouble, is she? Naaaah.
"Angela"
Thank goodness for shade! There's nothing like a squirmy, 98.6 degree tot on your lap to make an already warm day unbearably hot.
"Kimberley"
This is the face of a woman who's really, really hoping her kid goes to sleep very, very soon.
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"Susie"
Sometimes, you just have to sit on the floor. In your pajamas.
"Jacqui"
Breastfeeding on the beach. Could be worse!
"Lena"
There's no footrest quite like Mom's hip and/or upper thigh. Ask any baby.
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Self-Portrait
The photographer turns the camera on herself for a selfie more striking (and stunning) than most!
