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Powerful Imagery Reflects the Heartache of Pregnancy Loss and Infertility
In a poignant photo series, the emotional struggles surrounding miscarriage and infertility are brought to life, offering a voice to many women navigating these painful journeys. While rainbow baby portraits inspire those who have faced miscarriage with hope for future parenthood, there are countless others who, despite not actively trying to conceive, endure complex feelings stemming from their own pregnancy losses.
After experiencing three miscarriages and undergoing six months of fertility treatments without success, Sarah Thompson learned that in vitro fertilization (IVF) would be her final opportunity to carry a pregnancy. In her grief, Sarah sought a way to articulate her feelings before making decisions about her future as a mother. She connected with Las Vegas-based photographer Emily Wright of Wright Photography to document her emotional journey through a heartfelt photo shoot.
Emily resonated deeply with Sarah’s pain. Although she is a proud mother of two, she always envisioned having a larger family. “When my youngest turned two, we were open to another pregnancy,” she shares. After two years of trying for a third child, Emily suffered a miscarriage. “Having already had two healthy pregnancies, the doctors were baffled. After numerous tests, they discovered I had PCOS,” she explains. Due to her irregular ovulation, Emily has come to terms with the idea that expanding her family may not be in her future. “Even though I only went through one miscarriage, the emotional scars linger,” she says.
The concept for the photoshoot emerged as a collaborative effort. “When Sarah first approached me, I reflected on all the emotions I had experienced following my own loss. The best metaphor I could come up with was a tornado,” Emily explains. “The emotional whirlwind can be overwhelming, leaving you in a trance-like state. I felt as if my heart was being twisted, and the tornado became a symbol for these heart-wrenching feelings.”
For Sarah, the poppy flower represents her individual journey, as baby books often liken a four-week pregnancy to the size of a poppy seed. All of her pregnancies ended in early miscarriage, and she aims to move beyond the poppy seed stage. She shares her experiences on her blog, Beyond the Poppy Seed, where she candidly discusses her battles with infertility and the pain of loss.
Emily hopes that the imagery from the session will shed light on the emotional turmoil that accompanies miscarriage. “Until it happens to you, it’s hard to understand the depth of this pain. Sometimes, well-meaning words can unintentionally hurt,” she notes. “When a woman learns she can’t have children, it’s an incredibly devastating reality, often accompanied by shame and internal conflict. The journey of coping with one or multiple losses is challenging, and what women truly need is support rather than unsolicited advice.”
One of the poignant photos creatively intertwines Sarah’s poppy symbol with a rainbow, signifying her ongoing hope for a rainbow baby.
Both Emily and Sarah found the photo shoot to be a deeply emotional experience. “There were moments when we walked in silence, absorbing everything. I cried several times during the shoot and even more while editing,” Emily shares. “It was both therapeutic and heartbreaking. I feel called to tell these stories, even when they are difficult.”
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In summary, the powerful imagery shared by Sarah and Emily serves as a testament to the profound emotions surrounding pregnancy loss and infertility, inviting others to find solace and support in shared experiences.