Adoption Pictures

As you create the profile of yourselves and your family to present to prospective birthparents, one of the most important elements is the pictures you include. In years past, these profiles were pretty cut-and-dried - a bit of narrative about the couple, perhaps one studio portrait photo, and that was it. Recent years have seen the creativity flow as hopeful parents prepare scrapbooks and Internet presentations. These expanded profiles allow for many more photographs.

Nelson Handel, author of Reaching Out: The Guide to Writing a Terrific Dear Birthmother Letter, writes about the first efforts he and his wife made: "Days digging through boxes. My nose? Her hair? What says "great parents" to you? Do we look happy or forced? Approachable or remote? Which picture makes our little house look largest? We even spent a day playing with our best friend's kids, taking cutesy pictures. Would they help a birthmother imagine us with children? We considered the subliminal elements and chose a cover photo where our arms formed a heart."

Wrong, of course.

Your adoption professional will offer guidance and may have a format to follow, but the general rule is the same as for the letter you write: be genuine and honest. You're not perfect and no one is expecting you to be. Let your excitement at the prospect of becoming parents show through... in your words and in your pictures.

Take a look at the photos other hopeful parents are using in their profiles.