The bond project shares the journeys of mothers specifically in terms of breastfeeding, bottle feeding, donating milk, formula or any combination. Those pieces of nourishing babies we may not love so much. The engorgement, the latch problems the all night feedings, the clinging cluster feeds, the biting, the thrush, the family disapproval, going back to work, feeling like a cow attached to the pump, finding the right formula or struggling to find a bottle they will actually take.
All. Of. It.
That also means the look they give you as they nurse, the fact that from the first latch they had to hold your pinky while they ate, the excited sound they make right before they eat, their crossed feet, the way they fit on your lap, the snuggle once they are all full and the little drop that falls out of their mouth when they pop off after falling asleep.
The bond project documents the details of your story through words on our blog and photographs hung on your walls that may otherwise be forgotten.
Before each session, we have a conversation to discover what exactly you are hoping to achieve in your session. We discuss your wardrobe with access to my client closet, as well as location and the mood you really want to set. We also discuss how you want to display your images for years to come. I am here with you through every step of the way. I want to make this process as seamless as possible for you so all you get to do is enjoy your babies. Each of these sessions includes snuggle and play time as well as nourishment time! I never count “poses.”
Finally, we share parts of your journey on my blog. We can do this anytime for any mothering reason, but I love to share stories of nourishment every Wednesday. Any don’t worry, I am happy to ask questions and write it for you if you prefer!
During this blog, we discuss the method of feeding your baby, the struggles and the triumphs you have while doing this and if you have any small bit of advice for other families going through something similar. I call this The Bond Project. It all began to share stories of our real life journey to show other mamas that they are not alone in the things they are going through or the things they are feeling. We need a village, and sometimes that village is online.
These are extra special sessions to me, and a personal project of mine, so while everything is mostly the same, they work a little bit differently than other sessions. You get everything that is included in a standard mommy and me, motherhood photo session. Then you also get an interview to create your blog, and the blog post.
As a thank you for sharing your journey with other families, for these sessions only, I gift you three matted prints. These are beautiful fine art prints, meticulously places in hand crafted locking mats, ready to be framed. This is the only session type that products are included.
To the outside world, I have given up so much for this journey. The ability to wear “normal clothes,” a bra completely (because why bother?), the ability to leave my babies more than a few short hours, sleep, so many things….. But…
My advice to mothers exclusively pumping is that it is hard and time consuming but it brings you just as close to your baby as breastfeeding does.
“My son was in the NICU the first day, so I didn’t get the chance for the ‘golden hour’ of spending time with just us. When I tried to latch him, it was very difficult and it left me feeling frustrated - I almost gave up.”
Becoming a mom has been a challenging and exciting experience and I’ve learned that not everything goes according to plan. My number one focus is his health and happiness and I’m much better at that when I am healthy and happy too!
