I began photographing the third "Forever Family" this past weekend. This family is made up of five biological children (three of which are older and live away from home) and two adopted boys from the Philippines. The four younger children who live at home are all home schooled. The love and concern this family has for each other, and particularly the adopted boys, was so very evident! Since they're all home schooled, the father built a little "classroom" in the basement where each kid has their own desk area where they can study and learn.
While talking with the parents, I started to realize the importance of photographs of the children prior to their adoption. The mom was able to track down photographs of the boys' biological parents and images of them as babies. It seems that these images play a big part in the construction of the their identities. I'm happy to be able to provide a new "visual record" of their family and I'm already excited about my second visit!
I had the opportunity to photograph the Osen family again today...or part of them I should say! In addition to their two biological and two adopted children living at home, they also have three older children who are living away from home. The only daughter living at home had this to say when asked what encouragement she would give to other biological kids whose parents are going to adopt: "It doesn't mean they don't love you. They may get more attention at first, but it doesn't mean your parents don't love you. It's just that they (the adopted kids) are new people, so they're going to need more attention." Brilliant. She's a wise young lady.
