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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Baby Portrait Session :: Celebrating Adoption II

What a busy-but-fun week this has been!! Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of hanging out with this adorable two-year-old boy and his parents, Pamela and Justin, at a local playground for a special baby portrait session (although he's pretty much past the baby stage~ I guess I need to start calling these toddler sessions? ...or maybe 'hey lady, come on and chase me' sessions??) Anyway, as you can see from the first image, this boy likes to move and I thought for sure I would be exhausted at the end, but it turned out he's a very easy-going kind of kid and was very willing to go with the flow and stay close to mom & dad.

Everyone who adopts has their own special story with some interesting twist~ just like pregnancy/delivery stories, no two adoption stories are alike. I think of the paperwork and agonizing waiting as being somewhat like pregnancy and labor, and if it's an international journey, the mix of emotions, worries, and concern of how your child will react/behave on the flight home and is multiplied in direct proportion by the number hours of the journey home. But the end of the process and the beginning of a family starts the moment you hold your child in your arms~ and you realize this dream of having a child of your own came true.

Pamela, Justin and I got to talking about their journey of how their family came to be, and we compared similarities and differences of the adoption processes from our childen's birth countries. Their son was born in Vietnam and the process to bring him home took about two years. Pamela and Justin both agree their favorite part of the process was the time spent in country~ they actually extended their stay to be there longer and take in more of the beautiful country, culture, and its people. Very recently, they found out that their little blessing is going to be a big brother! They are expecting their second child next spring and are looking forward to experiencing a new story as their family grows and changes. Here is a little visual recap of our morning:
















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Links

Photo gallery website for proofing and additional info: www.mycirclephotos.com 


Circle of Life Photography's page on Facebook~ Click HERE to add this page to your favorites!


Michelle Miller allowed me to link to her brilliant post about the art of photographing ... I simply cannot say it better myself! Click HERE to read the post.

Giving Back~ Organizations supported by Circle of Life Photography

In giving back, Circle of Life Photography's main goal is to help those experiencing extreme poverty and nourishing them with food, shelter and spiritual guidance. Education is a big part of helping people learn how to help themselves and change the downward spiral of poverty for a better future for themselves and their children. Locally, a more tangible way of giving back is through using my photography gifts to serve others who are experiencing crisis (see NILMDTS and Pillows of Love.)


Compassion International~ Haiti's Child Survival Project

http://www.compassion.com/contribution/csp/default.htm

In 2011-12, Circle of Life Photography makes a monthly $30 donation to the non-profit organization, Compassion International, whose goal is to change Haiti through the rescue, nuture and discipling of children during the critical early childhood years.


Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation

http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart for families overcome by the grief and pain of the death of their newborn or infant. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives. I am an active NILMDTS volunteer photographer for Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Lancaster Women & Babies Hospital.


Joni & Friends Family Retreat

http://www.joniandfriends.org

I am honored to be a volunteer photographer at the Joni & Friends Family Retreat in the Poconos (Spruce Lake Retreat) for a week each summer (click here for past blog post.) Joni & Friends seeks to serve as a ministry of outreach to people with disabilities and their families across the US and around the world. Families from around the country attend Family Retreats seeking relaxation, encouragement and a time to strengthen their family.