Laura Paulescu, a photographer who specializes in maternity photos and pictures of newborns, recently captured a poignant moment that draws upon the essence of the emotions shared between a mother and daughter as they near the arrival of a second child. Making preparations for a new member of the family is an anxious time, especially for the firstborn child who must now come to terms with a sibling.
Letting a child know that they are going to be getting a brother or sister can be a complex task. The subject is colored by many emotions and feelings, and parents are tasked with the job of helping their firstborn child adjust to the news. As the months go by, the parents not only have to ready themselves for a new baby but must also answer the questions of the older child and reassure them that a sibling does not change the feelings of love for the firstborn.
In a recent photograph, Paulescu was able to capture a tender moment between a mother who is about to be induced and her first daughter. The mom lovingly hugs her daughter, and it is obvious the two of them are excited and happy over the impending arrival of the new baby. As with all great photographs, however, the beauty is in the subtext. This photo documents the last moments that this little girl will be an only child. The next time she sees her mother, she’ll be a big sister and the family dynamic will have changed.
As a photographer, Laura Paulescu is devoted to exploring that family dynamic in terms of how it manifests during pregnancy and childbirth. The photos she takes during these times are thoughtful and introspective, and they offer a window into the heart of the family unit.
In this particular photo of a mother telling her only child goodbye before she heads off to the hospital, Paulescu manages to evoke a myriad of emotions: happiness, sadness, and caring. Quiet moments such as these, when captured on film, truly convey the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words.
