Celebrity photographer shares new photo series – celebrating foster parents

One of the world’s most renowned photographers, who has snapped Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner, and the late Queen – has turned his lens to celebrate the nation’s foster parents. The latest set of portraits by British artist, Rankin, are of 17 foster parents that represent the “Faces of Fostering”.

The campaign aims to reveal the diversity that exists in fostering, and call on more people to step forward – after research found that 44 percent of adults believe they wouldn’t be eligible to foster.

It comes after the National Fostering Group have warned the “Tracy Beaker effect” has given people the wrong impression of what the process looks like.

And 73 percent admit that TV programmes, including fictional shows such as Tracy Beaker, have shaped their understanding of fostering.

Rankin said: “This photo shoot was a celebration of diversity, compassion, and the extraordinary individuals who open their hearts to foster care.

“It was a joy to capture the essence of people from all walks of life, each sharing a common desire to make a difference in a child’s life.”

The research, of 2,005 adults, found 18 percent believe that being single could be a barrier to becoming a foster parent. And 35 percent fear they’re too old, with 72 percent of over-55s wrongly believing they have aged out.

In fact, the number of people who reckon they wouldn’t be eligible to foster rises to 49 percent among those who identify as being either LGBTQ+, disabled, single, semi-skilled or unskilled, or are over the age of 55.

Rankin’s photographs include a portrait of Carole and John McIntyre, both aged 73, who have been fostering for the last thirteen years. In that time, the pair have provided care for more than 20 children, from a range of different backgrounds and of various ages.

They said: “People often assume that, because of our age, we’d be too old to look after children and foster. But on the contrary, we’ve found that fostering has given us a new sense of purpose, and has enriched our post-retirement lives.”

Steve Christie, CEO of National Fostering Group, added: “What these striking images show is that there’s no such thing as a typical foster carer. Fostering really is for everyone, regardless of background, relationship status, or circumstance.

“At a time when nearly 11,000 foster carers are urgently needed, it’s more important than ever that anyone and everyone who thinks they might like to foster comes forward.”