This image was taken in a local café as part of my breastfeeding awareness project, created to challenge the stigma around public breastfeeding and extended nursing. The mother had spoken openly about feeling judged for feeding her nearly two-year-old in public — sometimes even by other mothers. To reflect that tension, we chose to cover her face, reversing the social pressure often placed on women to "hide the child." This visual provocation asks viewers to confront their own assumptions and invites reflection on what we consider acceptable visibility.
Shot on a Canon R6 with a 24-70mm lens using natural window light. The challenge was shooting in a real, functioning public space where reactions were very much part of the experience — one woman expressed her discomfort at seeing a breastfeeding mother while eating. That response affirmed the need for this work. The image was converted to black and white in post for emotional clarity and timelessness, with minimal retouching to preserve authenticity.