Photographer and mom of three Megan Soto has spent three years taking pictures of nursing moms for the Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project. But she only recently discovered an important part of normalizing breastfeeding: dads.

"I was going through my images from the project with my husband last year ― trying to figure out which ones to share when he pointed out that none of the images had any men in them," Soto told The Huffington Post. "Sadly it didn't cross my mind until he mentioned it, but I knew instantly he was right and dads needed to be included in the images going forward."

Soto's latest photo series showcases supportive dads in public alongside their breastfeeding partners. Each image comes with a caption about breastfeeding from the featured dad.

"A lot of people point to men being exposed to breasts as their go-to when arguing against why mothers shouldn't breastfeed openly in public," the photographer explained. "I hope that by focusing on the dads and sharing their thoughts, it educates those individuals that men are more than capable of seeing a mother care for her child via her breast."

Soto believes it's important for dads to take an active role in supporting their breastfeeding partners. "Breastfeeding mothers face a number of obstacles as it is ― supply issues, latch issues, cracked nipples, pumping issues and the list goes on," she said. "The odds can be stacked against us as breastfeeding mothers and adding in a spouse who isn't supportive can be detrimental to a breastfeeding relationship. Men encouraging their partners in breastfeeding ― both in the home and in public ― is a huge piece in the breastfeeding puzzle."

"That's not to say that women can't successfully breastfeed without their partner's support," she added. "But it certainly poses unwelcome challenges when both parents are not on the same page."

The photo shoot experience was very eye-opening for some of the dads, who had never seen the stares and pointing that breastfeeding moms often face while nursing in public.

Soto hopes her series will foster more awareness about breastfeeding among men, while also empowering moms ― something she wishes she'd had back when she was nursing her first child and feeling very lost.

"I hope that my images are able to reach mothers who, like me, don't have experience with nursing," she said. "I hope they encourage them in their journey and assure them that they are not alone."

Keep scrolling to see more of Soto's photos of dads supporting breastfeeding mamas and their thoughts on the experience.