Because one day, this ordinary afternoon
will be nothing but a memory.
Introducing
Motherhood and Feeding Story Sessions
through The Bond Project
A quiet portrait experience for mothers nourishing their babies with breastmilk, donor milk, formula or any combination.
Why book a story photo session?
A day not too far from now, these everyday moments of your baby on your lap, looking into your eyes as they feed, will be gone. Replaced with a rambunctious child too busy to sit.
From the time you conceived, you thought about how you may nourish your baby. Maybe you always dreamed of breastfeeding, maybe the thought of breastfeeding gave you large amounts of anxiety. Either way, you made the decision.
Then your baby arrived and maybe things went as planned or maybe they didn’t. But you persevered and continued to feed and nourish your baby.
That journey matters. Your journey matters. And I believe sharing that journey will help other families make decisions for themselves and help navigate their own journey and emotions as they go.
The Bond Project is currently photographing Story Sessions
throughout Oklahoma, Northwest Arkansas and Colorado.
Real Breastfeeding Mama Thoughts #1
I participated in the Bond Project a few times when I was breastfeeding my children. Back then, I knew I wanted to remember that chapter of our lives because I knew those moments wouldn't last forever.
Samantha's project was a way to capture both my journey through photographs and by sharing my story through writing. Breastfeeding wasn't always easy. I had my own set of challenges, doubts, and moments where I questioned whether I could keep going, especially when my children all decided to prefer one breast over the other.
Being able to share my journey through Samantha's Bond Project made me feel seen, validated, and proud of everything I had overcome to breastfeed each of my kids for as long as I did.
Looking back at the images now, I'm reminded of how quickly those precious moments passed. Those little babies nursing are now in middle and elementary school! The images capture so much more than breastfeeding; they capture the love and comfort and the incredible bond between a mom and her baby.
Going back and reading the blogs we wrote all those years ago brings back memories of the struggles I faced, but also the strength it took to keep nursing when I wanted to throw in towel some days.
If you're considering participating in the Bond Project, I can't recommend it enough. Long after your breastfeeding journey has ended, these photographs and your story become a priceless reminder of a season that, while sometimes exhausting and challenging, is also incredibly beautiful and far more fleeting than it feels in the moment.
A harsh beginning - from 2022
Starting over - from 2018
Amy’s story - from 2017
What is the Bond Project?
A motherhood photo experience
The Bond Project is an ongoing archive of motherhood to bring us together through shared experiences, while preserving our own memories and emotions with our babies.
I believe that every mother deserves beautiful photographs with their children. And part of those memories should include how we nourish our babies. We deserve images with our babies that are not just a cell phone selfie at 3 am.
Then I believe that sharing our story of what went well and what went sideways, and how we navigated those events can help the next generation make their own journey.
Each Story Session shared preserves one family's journey through photographs, conversation, and written story.
Who Story Sessions are for
These sessions welcome families wherever they are in their journey.
• Nursing babies
• Formula feeding mothers
• Exclusively pumping families
• Curious babies
• Busy toddlers
• Children who only nurse for comfort
• Families preparing to wean
• Mothers who simply want to remember
There is no perfect way to nourish your baby.
No perfect relationship is required.
Only your real one.
Real Breastfeeding Mama Thoughts #2
Samantha has a gift for making you feel comfortable, seen, and never judged. If you’re considering participating in the Bond Project, I highly recommend it.
You’ll walk away with more than beautiful photos- you’ll have contributed to a community of stories worth sharing.
Looking back at the memories now, I see connection- the love, the strength through struggles and a season of motherhood that passed so quickly.
I’m so thankful these moments were preserved in such an honest and meaningful way. Whatever your experience looks like, I encourage you to honor your journey as well!
Learn along the way - from 2020
What does your Bond Project Story Session include?
Personalized consultation
Styling advice
20-minute Story Session
A relaxed, child-led experience
Personal Zoom ordering appointment
Professionally edited gallery
Five heirloom gift prints with matching digital files
Laid back interview about your journey
Opportunity to become part of The Bond Project archive
What happens during your motherhood session
Instead of forcing your child to look at the camera and smile; we slow down, we play, we cuddle, we take their lead.
We do plan for them to eat, but if they don’t it isn’t the end of the world either. I know that some kiddos are much too distracted, especially to nurse at a given time. At heart, these are mommy and me sessions, so as long as you are in the frame with your baby, then the goal has been met.
I will say, that after photographing these moments for over 10 years, I am usually really good at getting at least one nursing photo when that is the feeding method.
I want these sessions to become part of your memories with your baby, not just another digital photo that gets lost in your camera reel.
Real Breastfeeding Mama Thoughts #3
I wanted to participate in the Bond Project because I was beginning my motherhood journey anew.
My oldest daughter was 17, and I had just had my second child. Breast-feeding was such an impactful part of my mothering experience with my first daughter, and I knew it would be with my second as well.
I welcomed the opportunity to have that experience, honored and documented by Samantha because both her photography and storytelling is lovely. Looking back at these photos, and rereading the blogs gave me so much joy.
It truly is so different with every child, and I've gone on to have two more sons since then. My breast-feeding journey with each of them has been so special. This is a very timely reminiscence for me also, because I just ended my breast-feeding journey with my youngest son, who will be three this month.
Weaning him meant that this is the first time that I have not been pregnant, nursing, or both for nine years. It feels very impactful to have Samantha reach out at this time to have me look back on my breast-feeding journey with each of my children.
I don't think that we give enough honor to the beauty and the bond that a nursing relationship has for a mother and child. It's one of the most beautiful seasons of a woman's life. And it changes so much as they grow and develop.
Growing up - from 2018
An all new journey - from 2017
Story Tour dates
The Bond Project 2.0 is traveling this fall.
Sessions are $250 - payment plans available
Sallisaw, Oklahoma
August 15
Near Tulsa, Oklahoma
August 22
September 26
Near Fort Smith, Arkansas
September 12
Northwest Arkansas
October 3
Near Golden, Colorado
October 15
October 17
October 18
Each location has limited Story Sessions available.
Frequently asked questions
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Your story still matters, and I bet it is more interesting than you think. In the end, you still deserve to have these moments with your baby too.
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Two things. First, you are not alone. A lot of my mamas cry. Second, it is up to you if we keep photographing through the tears or if we pause and come back to it once you are ready.
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No. While a lot of the stories will come from breastfeeding families, I believe that every story needs to be told and your story matters.
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Yes! Absolutely. Your journey matters too. If you never wanted to nurse or if you tried and it didn’t work, or anything in between, you are welcome here!
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Absolutely! Pumping is hard! Your story matters too. Any combination of feeding is welcome.
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Absolutely! All ages of babies are welcome. I know many families choose to nurse until their babies want to wean. All are welcome.
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No need to worry. First, I am usually really good at getting at least one feeding image. But if they don’t want to then we don’t force it. The sessions are mommy and me focused so we will just play and hold them instead.
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Siblings are always welcome in the session. They are a big part of your journey as well.
If you want the whole family, then I suggest booking a family session instead. They are a little longer and always include feeding if the family wants it. -
I will help with styling of your session. The goal is to be both comfortable and coordinating, not super matchy.
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Story Sessions are created specifically for families willing to participate in The Bond Project archive. However, we can protect your child's privacy by sharing anonymous/detail images, and families who want their entire experience kept private are welcome to book a regular motherhood, family or newborn session instead.
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That is totally fine too. We can attempt to schedule a time around your boundaries within weaning.
If they do not nurse during your session, that is also fine. We will play and snuggle just the same.
You can choose to book an earlier date through another session type. Ask about this and I will give you a custom quote.
If they fully wean before our session day, then we will still have your mommy and me session and can share your journey anyway. -
I do! But these require a different time commitment so they are structured a bit differently. Send me a message and we can see what an in home session for your family would look like.
A story from my 4th baby - from 2023
A story from my 3rd baby - from 2021
A story from my 2nd baby - from 2019
A story from my 1st baby - from 2016
Meet Samantha, Your photographer and story keeper
I was one of those people who thought I would stop nursing at their first birthday. Then I had my first baby and experienced such grief and anxiety about that prospect. My oldest was still highly dependent on nursing and neither of us were ready. So I changed my mind, and ended up nursing her until she was three.
Now I am nursing my fifth baby and have experienced so many highs and lows of breastfeeding. Thankfully, I had the knowledge from other stories I had shared through this project to make it through all of my hardships with each of them.
I believe that every family should be able to make their own decisions about what is right for them without being judged.
I believe our experiences matter and sharing them can help others more than any textbook can.
And I believe that every mother deserves to have gorgeous photos WITH their baby. So often we are the ones behind the camera or never “done up” so even our selfies are slopy bun at 3 am. We pour our hearts into our babies and that deserves more than a quick selfie that gets lost in the phone camera roll.
I created the Bond Project for all of these reasons: to get mom in the photo, to document those emotions while we are still living them, to preserve our memories, to share our experiences and help the next generation of moms doing their best.
Final invitation to the Bond Project
Your child will grow. The rocking chair will become empty. The tiny hand resting on your shoulder will someday reach for something else.
Our memories are beautiful but photographs are teleportation devices to those memories.
I'd be honored to preserve a small piece of your journey.
I will never rush your story.
I will never ask you to become someone you are not.
I will look for the moments you don't realize you're giving your child.
Because those are usually the ones they'll treasure most.
To the outside world, I have given up so much for this journey. The ability to wear “normal clothes,” a bra completely (because why bother?), the ability to leave my babies more than a few short hours, sleep, so many things….. But…