One photographer’s newborn photo is doing the rounds on the internet for its thought-provoking concept. Symbolizing the couple’s fertility struggle, the baby is surrounded by hundreds of IVF syringes.
Arizona-based couple Patricia and Kimberly O’Neill reached out to photographer Samantha Packer with the idea. Seeking photos similar to the newborn shoots they’d seen previously, the couple wanted to develop the concept into something more unique – and ended up including in the photo all 1,616 syringes they had used during their four-year long effort to conceive.
Their daughter, who they named London, was two weeks old at the time the image was taken. Positioned to create two heart shapes around her, the inner layer of syringes are those Patricia used for twice-daily blood thinning treatments. The outer layer are from her in vitro fertilization (IVF) injections. It took the couple four years to conceive, with a total of 7 attempts. Within those efforts, they also suffered 3 miscarriages.
The photo has since been circulated around the internet, acquiring over 61,000 shares on Packer's Photography page on Facebook. Speaking of its virality, photographer Packer told TIME: “I knew it was special when I took it because we were all tearing up. I didn’t, however, realize how strongly it would resonate with others.”
London was born on 3rd August of this year.
Image used with permission of Samantha Packer.
First off, great job! Beautifully done!
The incredible effort and the ordeal some couples have to go through to have a child. Extraordinary.
I guess I don't understand the point. To me, it seems they've made a photo of their daughter, all about them. :-/
To me, the photograph details the couple's struggle (and pain, physically and emotionally) to have a child.
Which, in my mind, makes it about them and not the child. I liken it to someone giving to charity and then highlighting their generosity vs the results of their generosity. I believe you've written before, you have children. Do you tell others about your children's qualities and accomplishments or the emotional and physical pain (and I know there's lots of both) you've endured to help them become who they are?
Having been through it, I can almost say with some assurance that their feelings aren’t selfish. It’s hard to explain.
I didn't mean to imply selfish but more self-centered. Anyway, it doesn't really matter. I was just curious. Everyone tells me I think too much so it must be true.
What? You're implying the parents are selfish, when they spent this much time and effort trying to get pregnant and have that child in the first place. Talk about making an issue out of absolutely nothing.
You post scores of fluff articles and accuse me of making an issue out of nothing? What I said is, I don't understand the point. Photos should have a point, even if only to be attractive. What's the point here? If I knew that, I would have better insight into whether or not they're selfish but, even if they are, everyone is at times. Maybe we should wait until you grow up to have these kinds of conversations. Kids! smh
My deal? I asked a simple question. I understand they went through a lot of effort to have a child. Got it! I don't understand the point of the photo. They want everyone to know what they went through to have this child? Why?
The "grow up" comment is a result of the inability of immature people, of all ages, to think about what someone is actually saying, rather than having a hissy fit, and then make a thoughtful response. Robert did. You and Jack did not.
In the interest of brevity, see my response to Robert and respond to that. Anyway, the post didn't frustrate me at all. Yours and Jack's responses do, though.
:-)
"They want everyone to know what they went through to have this child? Why?"
Sam, I can guarantee you're the type of person who asks why Black and Gay people feel the need to celebrate Pride events.
And I can guarantee you're the type of person who thinks it should be self-evident and anyone who doesn't automatically "get it" is sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, fill in the blank who's unworthy of your time and consideration.
I don't want this to be about bashing the parents. I don't know them or what motivates them. And I have no interest in bashing you. I really just wanted some thoughts as to "why" but... well, see my first paragraph.
Nobody had to respond to it either, but they did. If anything, you and Jack are making my neutral comment into an issue.
I asked a simple question. I didn't, and haven't, assigned any motivation, positive or negative, to their decision to commission the photo. How is that, 'making it into an issue'?
How was it stupid? Admit it: you have no idea why they did it or you'd have given me a reason so you could further castigate me for not knowing.
You don't understand my question and aren't interested in polite conversation so, as you suggest, I'll find a better use of my time.
To wrap it up and because I think we've developed a real connection :-/ someone told me it's no different than people on social media, telling everyone about the things going on in their life and of course this is a big thing in their life. Not being on social media at all, that never occurred to me. The only reason I saw it is because Jack thought it worth posting. I don't understand the attraction behind social media but at least I understand it's something a lot of people enjoy doing. :-)
Thanks for your patience. ;-)
What an odd response. I indicated I had but you don't seem able to or maybe you just need to have the last word. Assuming that to be the case, I won't respond to anything else you might write but, of course, there isn't anything else to say.
One other thing I might add that this story doesn’t touch on is the financial cost this couple had to pay. Most insurance companies don’t cover IVF. My wife who worked in this field of medicine said the cost was mostly likely over 250,000 dollars. Congrats to these new parents.