Can you imagine going completely blind overnight? Now imagine your baby is just six weeks old... Well, that's exactly the situation I was in.
As a photographer, that was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me.
After 6 months of rest and recovery, and enjoying my baby, (whom has always been a terrible sleeper and wouldn't ever take a bottle), I decided to undertake a project close to my heart. A breastfeeding project.
I decided to photograph 100 women, breastfeeding their babies, and write a book about personal journeys - to understand the challenges (and benefits) that new mums, and their babies, are faced with in the 21st Century.
I want to share the journey of breastfeeding in the community because I want ALL women, no matter their background, to feel supported and understood throughout those beautiful, yet challenging moments.
A short piece of prose accompanies each womens' image, evoking a feeling of connection between these women and the reader..
There is no order, that a reader of the book must follow. It does not require reading from front to back; ''Where's My Village' will envoke feelings of hope, and reassurance to new mums, that they are not alone. - Enjoy reading as many or as few stories, to escape from a hectic day or moment.
'Where's My Village' would be a perfect gift for any new mum or mum to be.. A must you're your coffee table - or why not buy a few and gift them to your friends, local doctors' surgery, hospital, lactation consultant's office and/or mothers' group?!
On a personal level, this book is a huge step for me. I'm sharing a side of me, which people most likely wouldn't know about. I may always look or seem happy and/or positive, but sometimes it's just not the case.
Does this scare me? You bet it does! But I LOVE being able to meet other women and see their eyes light up when they tell me their story.
Brown, Olivia: - "Hi!!! I'm Olivia, I am a full-time photographer with a Batchelor of Fine Art's majoring in Visual Communication. I'm also mum to two boys, Hunter and Remington. When I'm not being a mum I spend my days creating family heirlooms that can be cherished for generations. I live by the beach in Hobart, Tasmania, which is the perfect match for my busy lifestyle. I love to go swimming, and I enjoy gardening and living the simple life. Spending time outside with Hunter and Remi is one of my favourite things to do. I can watch them all day exploring nature. And funnily enough it's my children that brought Where is my Village? to life. When my youngest son Remi was 6 weeks old I had an auto-immune response that caused me to go 100 percent blind in one eye. I was feeling isolated and alone with a baby that just didn't sleep and was feeding around the clock. It was after this experience that I knew I needed to do something to bring mums together so we all know we're not alone in our parenting journeys - that we're not failing even in our unique struggles, and we're definitely not alone. I hope Where is My Village? can offer solace, hope and inspiration to every mum on her best and her worst days. If you would like to read more about my story it is the first one in the book. And If you'd like a copy of Where is My Village? for yourself or you know a mum who needs some extra support you can get a copy here www.allthatvisualstuff.com/whereismyvillage You can also check out my wedding and family portraiture here www.allthatvisualstuff.com"
