All You Need is Love | Family Photography in Carshalton

I was so happy when South London mum, Hannah, got in touch to book a photoshoot as a gift for her husband Chi’s birthday. We’d met a few years before, for a photo session to celebrate their son Lucas’ first year, and Hannah and Chi were keen to do the same for their little girl, Naomi.

I was so pleased that Hannah was onboard with my new documentary approach to family photography with its focus on ‘real life’ family moments. Things hadn’t been easy for the family since we’d last met, and so the idea of a totally relaxed session, where they could just go about their morning as they usually would, really appealed.

Hannah and Chi’s daughter, Naomi, was born with Down Syndrome, and at the time we were organising a date for the photoshoot, it was looking very likely that she would need life-saving heart surgery. The family were prepared for what that might entail, and how they would manage Naomi’s care afterward. What they weren’t anticipating was that the day after Chi’s birthday, Hannah would be diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

“I felt scared, frustrated and hopeless. I was so worried about the knock on effect my diagnosis would have on Naomi’s care and that of my son. I wanted to be there for my children but I needed support too.”

Thankfully, Naomi’s prognosis was better than expected, and Hannah was able to have her own surgery and the radio therapy she needed. By the time we were able to meet again for the session, Hannah was back at work, and both Naomi and Lucas were settling into nursery and school.

During those incredibly tough months, Hannah was able to receive support from both local and national organisations offering help and advice to those affected by the issues she was dealing with. Hannah is now a proud member of the Lucky Few, a Down syndrome advocacy movement.

“I have the Lucky Few tattoo of three arrows, which represent the three 21st chromosomes (the cause of Trisomy 21, also known as Down Syndrome) positivity and moving forward. I enjoy being an advocate for being positive about Down Syndrome, and I have a beautiful teacher to lead the way. My life is not all about Down Syndrome though, so I also had the tattoo of stars to represent the human family members on my other arm. All of our names have a link to the moon and stars, so it felt very fitting.”

“On the morning of the shoot, we just did what we normally do and had a family walk with our beloved, older, grumpy dog. He has arthritis, so climbs into the buggy when he gets tired! The morning felt so easy and comfortable.”

“I love that these photographs show us as we are - they have a truth to them. The last few years with the pandemic, a miscarriage, a cancer diagnosis and surprise health diagnoses for my daughter, has taught us as a family to savour what is special, and often that is found in the most ordinary moments.”

Like Hannah, I’m a strong believer that real life family moments should be celebrated. It was an honour to capture those ‘ordinary’ and special moments for this lovely family and I’m tremendously grateful to Hannah for sharing her story.

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues above, there are organisations offering help, advice and support.

Locally to Carshalton, Get on Down’s, 21&Co, PSDS and Sparks are groups that support families with Down Syndrome.

On a nationwide level:

Positive About Down Syndrome - A website and group by parents for parents and parents to be.

Mummy’s Star - A support group for Mum’s diagnosed with cancer in and around pregnancy.

Miscarriage Association - Support for those affected by miscarriage, molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy.