Family Photography | Lansdowne Park
The Public Breastfeeding Awareness Photography Project was an awesome project to be part of and I chose Lansdowne Park as the location because it is a beautiful place for family photos. I love how these photos capture the beautiful setting near the Glebe in Ottawa. Landsdowne is one of my favourite places for family photos. We can be inside the market building (oh my!), at the park, on the ice in the winter, in front of the Holiday market, on the sidewalks - the options are endless. So please enjoy the photos and the location, and if you are considering a Family Photography Session in Ottawa, consider Landsdowne Park as a location!
Oh, and yes, if you are new here, I am Elle Odyn Photography & Film now, but yes, I’m the photographer formally known as Breathe In Photography. I changed my business name five years ago when we moved.
What is the Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project?
PBAP was created by Leilani Rogers to bring together professional photographers worldwide, raise awareness of breastfeeding in public, and empower more families to do so. Read more about it here in Leilani's own words.
Breathe In Photography has focused on breastfeeding images from the beginning of this business, and I have followed PBAP from afar, admiring the project since its inception. I used to look at the images and think, "Someday I want to be involved in that!"
Elle Odyn Photography & Film and PBAP
After attending a screening of the film "Milk" and listening to the panel of breastfeeding people talking about their experiences breastfeeding in our community, I was most struck by one woman's comment (not a perfect quote, but along the lines of), "I breastfeed, but I have never seen photographs on the walls of women like ME breastfeeding, it's subtle, but it impacts us."...and well, bam...I chatted with her after the event to learn more and planned to be in touch to better understand her experiences.
Parallel to that night was the call for images for PBAB's contest, and, in hopes of being chosen as an official PBAP Photographer, I got to work. I got in touch with a few friends to find women who wanted to share their experiences and photos in this contest. I wanted the images I took to represent the diversity of families in our community. I wanted to learn more. That is when I met Mary through another photographer friend.
It was such a perfect evening for photos, and it was so great to work with Mary and her daughter.
“Breastfeeding is the most special thing about my relationship with my daughter, it is a special bond between her and I, no words can explain how grateful I am for it. As a Muslim woman, like any other women, my experience of breastfeeding is a privilege that my body has, I am able to provide essential nutrients to my daughter. Islam values motherhood by encouraging the mom to breastfeed her child until she turns 24 months. Breastfeeding is not easy, but with patience and confidence; my religion has motivated me to continue breastfeeding as long as my daughter needs.”
So what does this mean for Ottawa-Gatineau families?
Breathe In Photography (now Elle Odyn Photography & Film) was chosen to be one of the members of the PBAP team and I'm excited to get moving on some more images. There will be calls out for special projects throughout the year.
If you are interested in having a breastfeeding session in a public place and would also enjoy being part of this project and sharing your images and a bit about your experience breastfeeding, you will receive a print gift in appreciation for sharing with PBAP with your full-session booking.
I already have a few fun projects on the go and I look forward to more!
