Did you know you can use breastmilk, or formula, as a light-sensitive material to make unique photographic prints?
I love working with families to create one-of-a-kind prints that capture intimate moments of early parenthood, providing you with a portrait made in your own breastmilk, or formula.
Each session takes place in the comfort of your own home and lasts approximately 2 hours. It includes:
Teaching you how to coat paper with your own breastmilk, or formula.
A photo session where you dictate how you would like to be photographed and who you would like to include. Your portrait could be just you, you and baby, your whole family, etc.
All materials and supplies are included.
One or more 9x13.5” unique prints (larger prints available by request).
Please contact me at eleanoroakes.studio@gmail.com if you’d like more information, or if you would like to commission a portrait outside of the Metro Detroit region.
FAQs
What is a salt print?
The salt print was one of the first types of photography ever invented! Discovered in 1838 by Henry Fox Talbot, the process uses salt and silver to create light-sensitive particles. In this revised version, the salt naturally present in breastmilk or formula acts as the salt in the process, inserting a feminist narrative into the history of photography.
You can read more about the process here.
How much milk does it take to make a portrait?
About 10-20oz of milk is all you need. You can also use any milk that is not safe for baby; ie: milk that has expired, contains alcohol or antibiotics, etc. Just be sure to store this milk in the freezer with a big X on it so you know it’s not safe for baby.
What do breastmilk prints look like?
As you can see in the image above, the images are black and white and tend to have a soft look and feel. Their color tone varies, from gray to warmer orange tones. This is a natural characteristic of salt prints and is a beautiful celebration of our differences. Similarly, some prints might display swirls of fat from your breastmilk or other unique irregularities. Your portraits will likely look totally different from anyone else’s and will be uniquely your own.
How long will it take to receive my prints after the portrait session?
You can expect to receive your final prints within approximately one month of our session together.
Is it safe?
The first coating in this process is completely safe to do at your home as the only ingredients are your breastmilk or formula! Once our photo session is over, I take the paper with me to do the second step in a darkroom, as it involves more hazardous chemistry. Once the print has developed, it’s completely safe again!
Why should I participate?
Being a mother is hard. Parenting is hard. This is an opportunity for you to see the power of your labor and love represented through visual imagery. You are my inspiration for creating this project; to make you feel honored, inspired, creative, and celebrate all the highs and lows that come with new parenthood. Furthermore, a portion of all proceeds will benefit Birth Detroit, an organization building Detroit’s first free-standing birth center, supporting new families and keeping them safe and healthy.
What if I’m not able to breast or chestfeed, or have chosen not to breastfeed?
No problem! This same process can be used with any formula. If for any reason you’re feeding formula instead of breastmilk, I’d still love to work with you, and I love working with diverse families who might not fit a ‘traditional’ model of mother or parenthood. We are all unique individuals and this process is designed to honor exactly that.