portrait studios FORBID breastfeeding in pics - Page 2

[happysmileylady]

Actually, these policies have nothing to do with BFing and are all about the skin. They also do not take pics of guys with their shirts off, bare belly materinty pics and bare middrifts on senior girls (though many of them will try.) Most will not even take kids in their swimsuits under the age of 5. I even know of one person who was fired from Portrait Innovations for having photographed a woman with a shirt that was too low cut. Because there are other situations that involve "nudity," writing whoever probably won't help. Most of the studios have dealt with customers wanting these types of images many many times in the past and will stand behind their policies.

As others have mentioned above, most private photographers will do these sorts of things. If you check craigslist or do a search in your area for photographers, you be able to find someone who will be willing to do it for you. In fact, you will probably even be able to find someone who had previously worked for one of the aformentioned studios and got tired of rules like that and so they have struck out on their own.

[the_lissa]

The Sears here does bare belly maternity pictures. In fact, they have a large one up in the waiting area of a mom with a bare belly and her toddler aged daughter kissing her belly.

[mysticmomma]

Originally Posted by MiamiMami

I would take Arwyn's suggestion, but ultimately take your business elsewhere. I am sure there must be some talented MDC Mama's in your area. Maybe ask in the tribal areas?

:

[cjuniverse]

Maybe take your own pictures, mami?

When my son was under a year, my ex and I wanted to get one of those classic nude photos of Ryo done, but every studio we talked to refused. Any child older than a few weeks/month at most was apparently too old to photograph without clothes on.

Sounds like a private photographer might be your best bet...some of them do have reasonable prices, just have to shop around.

For what it's worth, I'd have been livid too.

[happysmileylady]

Originally Posted by the_lissa

The Sears here does bare belly maternity pictures. In fact, they have a large one up in the waiting area of a mom with a bare belly and her toddler aged daughter kissing her belly.

then that policy has changed in the last few years. But most will not allow bellies or chests, male or female, pg or not to show.

Although...thinking about it, do yo have a Celebrity Kids there? They sometimes operate outside of rules of standard studios. They are also a little pricier, but they may or may not be cheaper than an independant photographer.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by happysmileylady

Actually, these policies have nothing to do with BFing and are all about the skin. They also do not take pics of guys with their shirts off, bare belly materinty pics and bare middrifts on senior girls (though many of them will try.)

Someone should tell my local JcPenney that since they have pictures like that up and displayed in their studio.

[Miasmamma]

Originally Posted by Graceoc

Many independent professional photographers would have no issues at all doing nursing images. I love doing them for my clients. I don't have any on my site right now, but I do have a great newborn and mom pic in my opening slideshow that the 'studio's' would probably forbid

www.gracephotographystudio.com

Just wanted to say that your pictures are beautiful! I loved the mom and baby one in the slideshow.

[Twinklefae]

So sorry mama! I agree about notifying the company that it isn't considered indecent exposure. Private photographers are great though... the one we had for my wedding got a BEAUTIFUL shot of my nursing DS in my dress.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...ed112of159.jpg

(I think I've posted this before, but I it, so I'm posting it again!)

[Breeder]

Wow, that sucks. I agree a student photograher may be your best bet.

[Tangled Hill]

Originally Posted by veganone

You could also rely on Dh or a friend. My absolute fave nursing pic was taken by DH. Just take a TON of photos in really good lighting. You might surprise yourself.

I totally agree with this. Every year, we do bluebonnet photos of son, rather than taking him to a studio. We use a digital camera on a high res setting and take TONS of photos. We let him just be his wild self, and we always end up with at least a dozen (usually several dozen) that are truly stellar. We're not professional photographers by any stretch of the imagination, but I have to admit, our photos put those studio portraits to shame.

Try it. You can take a thousand digital pics for free (we once took over 700 in a 30 or 45 minute bluebonnet session). You never know what you might end up with. You may not need a professional portrait studio, after all.

Oh, yeah - and write that letter!

[paquerette]

Are you near NEPA? I know a photographer who'd do it.

[francie024]

What constitutes nudity?

Originally Posted by junipermuse

I would ask them to define nudity. Because it's not as if you're asking to take everything off and pose in your b-day suit. That is nudity. If they are claiming that even one bare body part is nudity, then do they allow people to be photographed barefoot. Typically people wear shoes in public places, especially stores like sears and jc penney's but it is very common for people to remove their shoes to be photographed. If they are trying to say that nudity is the uncovering of a body part that is sexual in nature, then you explain that breastfeeding is definitely not sexual, its eating. In fact your right to nurse in the studio may be specifically protected by the laws of your state (I don't know where you live), so they can't stop you from nursing there. People will see you nursing no matter what, so they might as well take your picture while you're there.

This is a great argument. This is the same argument I used when I argued with cafemom about nursing pics, but often, the reply is, that other people would be offended if they saw it. The fact that nursing IS allowed in public, and laws declare that it is NOT OBSCENE is of no consequence to many businesses. Sadly, I do not think this practice will change unless breastfeeding moms start filing lawsuits.

[ramama]

Honestly, a photo studio that doesn't do BFing photos routinely probably couldn't shoot good ones anyway if you managed to get your way about it. You know, the photos may be hesitant or distant and not really capture the magic and intimacy, etc. I agree that if a student photographer or a family member might be the best bet.

[NKMama]

There is a photographer in Western PA that does breastfeeding photography for the LLL conference according to their flyer. Perhaps try contacting your local LLL for some leads?