Jenni Engel
I’m Jenni Engel, an adoption photographer with the unique privilege of documenting the true stories of grief and joy for adoptive families in Indianapolis and all over Indiana.
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adoption stories
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I had the honor of documenting a Commitment Day recently. You may have heard this day called Adoption Day or Finalization Day. I’ve started calling this day Commitment Day because it is the day that legally seals the commitment a family has made to the child/ren and the birth family.
For many, the court hearing is seen as an ending in the adoption journey. For those in the adoption community, it is only one part of the journey. It is not an ending at all. As an adoptive parent myself, I cried when I received Emersons birth certificate which replaced her birth mother & father with our names. This hearing doesn’t erase an adoptees story prior to this day. This hearing, the Commitment Day, is only one marker in the journey.
Just as the journey is filled with grief & joy this day is no different. There is a place to celebrate this day but we can not forget the pain/grief/trauma that is also a part of the story. I’m curious how we will come to acknowledge or honor this day as Emerson grows. I will honor her need for how this day intersects in her life.
Now that you know a little more about my personal story and thoughts, here are some of the images I helped document for this family on their Commitment Day!
I’d love to hear from you! Send an email to hello@jenniengelphotography.com to share a part of your story!
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