Adoption Stories

Adoption Stories is a photographic documentary project that explores the complex and often underrepresented experiences of adoptees—both domestic and international—who were raised by adoptive families in the UK. Through intimate portraiture and storytelling, the project seeks to give visibility to a diverse range of adoption narratives, each shaped by unique histories, questions, and identities.

This project is deeply personal to me as an adoptee myself. I was born in China and adopted at 18 months old from an orphanage in Yong Zhou by a British family. Like many adoptees, I have lived with unanswered questions about my early life—questions that may never be fully resolved. The lack of clarity surrounding why I was placed for adoption has at times been a source of confusion and frustration. That kind of silence, where vital parts of one’s story are missing, can feel like a quiet but constant presence in the background.

But over time, I’ve come to a different understanding. While I may never know the full truth of my beginnings, I do know this: I was given a second chance—a life filled with love, security, and care. My adoptive family welcomed me wholeheartedly, and for that, I am endlessly grateful. This gratitude doesn’t erase the complexities of adoption, but it helps frame them with a sense of hope and appreciation.

In creating Adoption Stories, I connected with fellow adoptees whose experiences echoed and diverged from my own. Through open conversations and quiet, reflective portrait sessions, I was struck by the recurring themes of resilience, identity, belonging, and love. These are not always easy stories—they are often bittersweet, filled with both longing and strength—but they are deeply meaningful.

This project is ongoing. Each portrait is not only a photograph but a moment of recognition—a chance for adoptees to be seen, heard, and valued on their own terms. By continuing this work, I hope to build a growing archive of voices that speak to the emotional depth, diversity, and humanity within the adoption experience.