Capturing Parenthood

By an adoptive mum from Kent

The journey to parenthood is definitely an adventure, full of highs and lows as you await the anticipated arrival. So many things to get ready and prepare for. There seems to be loads of ‘must haves’ these days from first scan, baby book, baby shower and the many records for every step along the way. When your road to parenthood comes through adoption it doesn’t necessarily follow this pattern. For a start, it’s often a lot longer than the usual 9 months. Sometimes it even feels like gestation is as long as an elephant’s! As you realise the dream in finally becoming a parent to your little one or not so little one in my case, the adventure really begins!

Celebrating adoption

Just over 5 years ago, my long held dream was realised as I brought my little girl home for the first time to begin a new adventure together as mother and daughter. There are so many treasured moments and memories of those early days and weeks together as we got used to life together. Like many adoptive families, we couldn’t share in first scan photos and broadcast things to the world but there were some ways in which we could be just like everyone else. Whilst writing this, I’ve been looking at the photo that hangs in pride of place on our lounge wall. Was this just another photo shoot like anyone else’s?

For us, as a newly formed adoptive family, it was such a special occasion to have a Hushabye photoshoot; something that I’d never dreamed would have happened. We were so excited and to be honest a little nervous about what it would be like. We didn’t need to feel nervous or self-conscious because as soon as we arrived, Janet welcomed us and put us at our ease. It made the whole experience such a special blessing.

We had chosen a variety of outfits to bring with us which included some of our favourite casual clothes and most importantly it gave us a chance to dress up in our party frocks. It wasn’t deliberate but now looking at our favourite outfits there are a lot of similarities in our choices, even down to both wearing black boots.

Creating family memories

My favourite photo is of us lying on the floor with our hands under our chins and booted feet crossed behind us. We’d only been home together for just over two months and it was lovely to have a shared experience that celebrated our newly formed family as mother and daughter. So many people have commented on this photo and how we look like we belong together. Our party frock photo helpfully became a Christmas present to our close family as we made some photo Christmas tree baubles as gifts.

My overriding memories of that day include my daughter’s laughter as she played with her favourite toy and loved having fun with Janet whilst she took the photos. Looking at the photos, you can almost go back to that space with remembering the sound of the laughter. She loved twirling around in her party frock and just being her, which Janet managed to capture so well. It felt such a natural and very trusted space which captured forever that sense of togetherness that we were just building.

Trust and joy

I am so thankful that we had the photo shoot and subsequent photos to treasure which capture those early months. It did feel emotional in a good way – happy tears as my daughter would say. I know I commented at the time about it being a dream come true on so many levels. We knew that Janet understood the complexities of becoming a family through adoption, which helped us feel held by her in her studio. I also knew that she would respect the need for that trusted professional relationship. Just like the moment when you become a parent for the first time, bringing your adoptive child home is such a special occasion to be captured and treasured forever. I’d thoroughly recommend the experience.

To find out more about the adoption process and National Adoption week, check out
https://www.youcanadopt.co.uk/

To book a session to celebrate adopting your loved one contact me here
https://hushabye-photography.co.uk/contact/