Shooting EXCLUSIVELY boudoir & contemporary glamour portrait photography since 2014
Personal Project: Bottle-Feeding Mommas
I just want to take a moment and introduce myself: I'm Shannon—I'm a wife, mother, and active duty United States Air Force veteran who has been shooting exclusively boudoir and contemporary glamour portrait photography since 2014. I love what I do—I love the amazing women I have the privilege of shooting, I love the artistic work that goes into each session (every woman brings their own 'vibe' to the studio!), and I love creating stunning portraits that will be passed down for generations and looked back upon with fondness.
I truly believe I am doing what my purpose is in life, which is to empower women by using my camera, and I am humbled everyday that I am so blessed to call my passion my career.
So, why bottle-feeding mommas as my personal project? Because I'm a momma who exclusively formula fed both of my boys, and while I personally didn’t feel inadequate or shunned, I know there are many mothers who do feel they are a failure or looked down upon because of how they feed their child. And I want to change this—worrying how they are feeding shouldn't be a second thought.
I think it's wonderful we live in a time that enables parents to deliver nutrients to their child if breastfeeding isn't something momma wants to do or physically doesn't work for her. I also think it's wonderful Daddy gets to participate in feeding baby—it was something my husband enjoyed doing (well, not at 2:00 AM!).
This project is not to start a debate if breastfeeding is better than bottle feeding. It's not to start an argument about breast milk verses formula. This project is to capture the bond between momma and her bottle-fed child.
It wasn't until I attended the Portraits Masters photography convention in early September 2018 and listened to the legendary photographer Joyce Tenneson encourage all photographers to do a personal project to fuel our soul, because as photographers, we need a creative outlet, to do something that is just for us.
I realized it was time to stop thinking about my project and start creating the beautiful visions in my mind. This project is to fuel MY soul, but I think you'll find it's charges your soul as well.
What I envision for my personal project is photographing mommas who bottle feed their child at least 60% of the time—I want to capture the connection that is there between mother and child, because there is an amazing one, and breast feeding isn't the only way to bond with your child. My final vision for my personal project is to create a coffee table book that displays both the images and stories/quotes of these bottle-feeding mommas!
To accomplish this personal project, I want to photograph 24 mothers by the end of 2019 bottle feeding their child. I want to photograph real women of all shapes, sizes, ages, and beliefs to be "models" for me—don't worry, no modeling experience required! I’ll direct you in posing, top to bottom, just as I do with my boudoir and contemporary glamour portrait clients. In the photos, you'll be bottle feeding your child, or your child can be bottle feeding him/herself while you hold your child, but the point is to show that connection between you and your child as they bottle feed.
Interested? Scroll down to read over the requirements—if you are what I'm looking for, please click the "Yes! I'm Interested!" button at the very end of the page.
Read other bottle-feeding momma's stories HERE.
Central Pennsylvania
Carlisle PA • Dillsburg PA • Gettysburg PA • Harrisburg PA • Hershey PA • Lancaster PA • York PA
Please visit Shannon Hemauer Photography to view my full galleries.
Gallery
Please visit my website to see my full galleries.
Shooting EXCLUSIVELY boudoir & contemporary glamour PHOTOGRAPHY since 2014
Bottle-Feeding Momma Personal Project
What's included with the session (a $1,400.00 value):
- Mother's Wardrobe: Select from three dresses (sizes M and 4XLL) to wear during the session. Please see the gowns HERE.
- Child's Wardrobe: Cloth diaper cover for the child. Sizes newborn to 24 months. Please see the diaper cover HERE.
- Philips Avent Natural Glass 4 oz. Baby Bottle: Select from newborn, medium, or fast flow nipples. (Bottles/nipples sterilized the morning of session.)
- Session: A 30-minute contemporary glamour photoshoot with Momma and bottle-feeding child.
- Professional Makeup: This will be a toned-down version of what is normally done for a session.
- Digital Files: Three owner-selected, low-resolution digital files (Ideal for online use only).
What's required to be a "model" for me:
- Must be 25 years or older.
- Must provide undergarments in the suggested style and color. Information found on the gown page HERE.
- BOTH parents/legal guardians must sign a Model Release, which grants me and my stylist permission to use all images for print and online uses/marketing. This could mean business cards, social media, website, contests, etc.
- Must be the child's mother/legal guardian.
- Child must be between newborn and 18 months of age. Please keep this in mind when selecting a session date.
- Child must receive pumped breast milk/formula by bottle at least 60% of the time. This means if child breastfeeds occasionally, Momma may still participate in the project.
- Must use the provided 4 oz Philips Avent Natural Glass Baby Bottle and nipple. Select from newborn, medium, or fast flow nipples. (Bottles/nipples sterilized the morning of session.)
- Must supply 4 oz of breast milk or pre-made formula to use in the provided glass bottle. There is a refrigerator at the studio as well as a bottle warmer.
- Both Momma and the child must be styled to the photographer's vision to achieve the vision. This could mean a bare baby tush to the camera or just wrapped in fabric.
- Must arrive with hair camera ready OR have pre-arranged with stylist to have hair styled at the studio. (There is an $85.00 cost due the morning of the session.)
- Must bring a Pack-n-Play to the studio to keep the child in while makeup is being done and/or Momma is getting dressed. The studio is NOT baby proof and there is a flight of steps in the studio.
- Must have an off-site babysitter for children not in the photo shoot.
Can you purchase portraits?
Yes, but it's not required. Purchased portraits are an 8x10" print in an 11x14" mat, and do include the high-resolution digital file (ideal for print)/print release, and low-resolution digital file (ideal for web use). Collections begin at $1,500.00, and as a thank you for your collection purchase, you will receive a $275.00 print credit to use toward any collection purchase. (No cash value. Not transferrable.) But again, no purchase is necessary.
Interested? Click the "Yes! I'm Interested!" button below to get started (including to find out the session dates/times).