Photographer criticised over image where females have their mouths taped up

Most of the shots were lovely, showing a mother, father and their three children smiling. But in one of the images, the mother and two daughters wore bright green duct covering their mouths and the father held a sign saying ‘Peace on Earth’. Their son’s mouth was duct tape-free.
The image was shared on Reddit yesterday and was slammed on social media.
“I can’t believe this sort of offensive photography is tolerated in our society. Poorly composed, overexposed, uncreative. Your photography is bad, and you should feel bad,” wrote one user on Ms Hawkes’ Facebook page.
Another said: “I can’t believe a female photographer would take part in something so demeaning and damaging to women and girls. Women being deprived of their voices by men is no laughing matter. It wasn’t cute. It wasn’t humorous. It was horrifying.”
Ms Hawkes defended her photo on her Facebook page, after the image was removed by Facebook.
“I have been called every name in the book, and have received some very hateful and vulgar comments and messages,” she wrote.
“I would like to say that as a female I do NOT and have never promoted violence to women! I do not support abuse, or the degradation of women.
 “My controversial photo was taken by request by the family, and was in no way meant to promote abuse. This photo was taken with humour in mind, and was meant as a comical Christmas photo. I personally know this family, and have known them for many years.
“They are not abusive to their children in any shape or form. Also, I would like to add that no one was harmed during the process.”
But Ms Hawkes’ Facebook community weren’t having a bar of it.
“The photo was appalling. Probably best to apologise, learn, and move on. You do yourself a disservice defending it,” wrote one user.
Another said: “You’re a disgrace to other women that have had to suffer things like this. You have not only offended me, but also numerous other victims like me and some of the people in my family.”