Section #6: Your Adoption Profile Book

Building an adoption profile can be overwhelming. But it can be uplifting as well when approached with the right mindset. An adoption profile book is all the information an expecting birth parent learns about a hopeful adoptive family and the type of home they are growing. It should include information about the family, photos, and a great layout to draw the eye and keep readers interested.

At Adoption & Beyond, we frequently receive requests for tips on creating the adoption profile book, here are some of the topics we cover with the families we work with:

A Letter to the Expectant Parents

The opening letter in an adoption profile book is an adoptive family's initial representation of themselves to potential birth parents looking for a family to raise their child. Our first tip is always for families to just be themselves and convey their hearts. 

The length of the letter will depend on the size of the profile. For longer profile books, we recommend a letter between 1,800 and 2,400 words, while a 4-page profile is safe with a letter of 900-1000 words. While a longer letter may seem difficult to write at first. it helps to keep in mind the purpose of the letter, to introduce themselves and explain what sets them apart from other families.

 Families should be sure to include all the relevant information that will paint a clear picture of the type of family they are. But also remember to take into account what the expecting parents are facing right now and use this letter to acknowledge that as well.

Selecting the Perfect Photographs

Photos play a huge role in how a birth family views an adoptive family. A birth family will scan a profile and take note of the photographs first. Choosing photographs that best depict family, lifestyle, and the type of parent they will be is paramount.

As much as families are initially drawn to the concept of the perfect profile photo, which shows them at their best, it helps to have a few candid shots in the mix as well. Having a friend take some photos of things the family loves doing as a family like gardening, hiking, biking, swimming, cooking, reading, etc. will help birth parents see what they are brining to their child and how their child will fit into the adoptive family's life.

Designing a Layout

There are so many templates, colors, fonts, and graphics floating around the internet and document creation software. When choosing a layout design, opt for something which reflects personal taste and personality, but is not too busy to distract from the personal content in the book.

Choose two to three colors which work well and compliment each other, and fonts which are easily readable.

As a family puts their profile together, they should try to tell a story about how they plan to give their child a loving home, Use the layout to make it easy to navigate the profile.

Adoption & Beyond can help with the creation of this profile, offering advice and resources to make the best representation of an adoptive family.