We know the right picture has the ability to change the life of youth waiting to be adopted, and every one of them deserves a loving home.
AACP connects professional photographers, who volunteer their time, with youth in foster care who need a loving home. We work with the youth to create dynamic pictures that enhance their profiles and share their unique personalities, helping them find families who can welcome them home.
AACP and its success is made possible thanks to a close partnership with Northwest Adoption Exchange.
AACP works with professional photographer who volunteer their time, because professional portraits are proven to significantly increase the likelihood youth will be adopted.
Profiles see an average 129% increase in page views after being updated with professional-quality portraits by AACP.
AACP portrait sessions highlight the personalities and interests of youths.
Participating in an AACP photo shoot gives youth the opportunity to feel empowered in adoption recruitment and take a leading role in how they’re presented to families.
Youth get to keep digital copies of their AACP photos that they can be proud of.
AACP photographers are available to travel, and can work directly with placement providers or private agency staff to arrange sessions that work for all parties involved.
New photos can be a great way to reinvigorate adoption recruitment efforts for a youth who is ready and eager for an adoptive family.
Below is some of the feedback our partners at the Northwest Adoption Exchange have received from families after seeing profiles with AACP photos.
“Upon seeing their photos and reading the child’s profile, I immediately felt a connection with them.”
“I just felt in love with this child after looking at his pictures!”
“When I saw her profile and pictures I felt like I was supposed to inquire about adopting her.”
Adopt-A-Child Photography (AACP) is a collaboration between its volunteers and the Northwest Adoption Exchange that began in 2015.
The idea came about when AACP founder Jennifer Loomis, of Jennier Loomis Photography, was considering adopting. She was surprised and saddened at the lack of professional quality portraits in youth profiles at the time. She emailed Northwest Adoption Exchange to offer her services, thinking that professional portraits on the profiles could help youth find families.
That email resulted in a two-day photo session for older male youth who often face barriers in the adoption process because of their age and gender. Almost 50 percent of the youth photographed were adopted. The photo session was made possible thanks to the help of fellow photographer Rocky Salskov.
Now, Rachel Anne Seymour is serving as the director of AACP. She became involved in the organization during 2018 and has since stepped up to support AACP in a larger capacity. Rachel has a background in documentary photography, multimedia journalism, and strategic communications.