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6th December 2016
02:03pm GMT

Explaining her idea for Nurture, a series of images of mothers nursing their children, taken in Ireland, Harding says:
"Ireland has the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. In this project I focus on the bond between mother and child and capture the beauty of breastfeeding."
Harding completed the project earlier this while in her final year studying a BA in photography in IADT. Her work with Irish families prompted her to consider attitudes to breastfeeding more closely.
"When I was hired for family portraits, I'd suggest to breastfeeding mothers that they may like to get some photographs of themselves nursing." Harding told HerFamily.
"Often the mothers where shy about this but agreed to take part. The images always resulted in a beautiful intimacy that they were thrilled to have captured afterwards."
"I began researching breastfeeding in Ireland and was shocked to see the low rates and decided to begin a project that openly celebrates breastfeeding with the hope of spreading the idea that it's something truly beautiful, and that women should not be shy about celebrating it."

To find subjects, Harding put a call out on Facebook and was surprised when she was inundated with willing mums.
"I got a huge response from my Facebook post and was able to get in contact with a range of woman and children of all ages.
I have since shared the images with the participants who where all thrilled to have these photographs to cherish forever. Many of the women where beginning the weaning process and for them, the images where extra special."
Check out the full Nurture collection here.
Have you seen a portrayal of motherhood you think we should see? Let us know on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
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