LAS CRUCES, N.M. — A New Mexico firefighter is facing discipline after a photograph of his wife breastfeeding while wearing his uniform went viral.
KFOXTV.com reported the Las Cruces firefighter, who did not want to be identified, could be facing unpaid leave because of the photo. The photo is part of a series by photographer Tara Ruby in which she photographs mothers’ breastfeeding their babies in a variety of uniforms. Ruby was shocked by the backlash.
“I was mad for the mom and the husband she has that’s supporting her in this,” Ruby said. “It was never intended to be anything negative. It’s only, you know, supposed to be positive.”
The Las Cruces Fire Department refused to comment.
Ruby said this photo shares a strong message and is upset the firefighter is being criticized for her work.
“This story is a powerful one and maybe it’s not one everybody’s ready to hear,” she said. “If someone has an issue with a photo that I took or the meaning behind that photo, they should reach out and ask me. I don’t understand why this is happening.”