Embracing Motherhood After Loss - a Minneapolis Newborn Photographer Observes

Recently, I have done several maternity and newborn sessions for people who have suffered the loss of a child. One client tragically lost her two year old daughter just weeks after she found out she was expecting her son. Another carried her first baby to full term and lost her to a cord accident, and is now anxiously awaiting her second baby in a few weeks. I'm sure I do these sessions more often than I realize as of course it can be a difficult thing to talk about, especially when trying to celebrate and be joyful over new life, and not let grief overtake you.

Every loss and every grief experience is going to be different. It doesn't matter if you lose a pregnancy at 8 weeks, or if you lose a child who you have known and loved for years. They are your children, and there will always be a deep hole and sense of loss in your heart. Even another parent who has suffered a loss doesn't 'understand' what you are going through, because everyone experiences loss and grief differently.

However, one thing I think is the same across the board - the guilt for feeling like you are 'moving on' when being hopeful for a new child, and for loving your new child. I think it is so important for the outside world to remind you that you SHOULD embrace new and beautiful things in your life, and of course you should love all of your children fiercely. It is okay to celebrate. It is okay to be happy. But the anxiety and grief is also understandable. It doesn't make you a bad parent to your other kids - it is part of who you are, and you just need to live through it and do your best for them.

When I have Minneapolis maternity photo session clients that are struggling to celebrate themselves and get out of their heads after a loss, I feel heartbroken for them. Their feelings are so valid. I like to encourage them to remember their child, talk about their child, talk about their feelings, and celebrate them, too. They can always be incorporated into their Minnesota photo session.

How do you incorporate a lost baby or child in a Minneapolis Maternity Photography session?

I recommend bringing a photo to use if there is one, and if there is a special color or item that represents that child, I encourage clients to bring that in also. Even if it's just a sonogram photo, we can incorporate it into the session.

How do you incorporate a lost baby or child in a Minneapolis Newborn Photography session?

I have done everything from use the older sibling's urn, to a photo, to a teddy bear, to butterflies, to even adding a photo of that child into the photo with the new baby. There are always ways to celebrate and honor a lost child in photos, just as you will talk about them to your other children as they grow up. They are always part of your family story.

To learn more about how we can celebrate a baby or child you have lost during your photo session, please reach out to me via my website at www.jordanalisaphoto.com