Photographer Documents Woman’s Late-Life Motherhood

Photographer Wu Fang has spent fifteen years documenting Sheng Hailin, a woman in Hefei, China, who gave birth to twins at age 60 after losing her only daughter. Sheng underwent IVF in 2010, becoming the oldest woman in China to do so, sparking public debate about her choices. Wu first encountered Sheng while working at a local newspaper and built a relationship with her family over years of frequent visits.

The project evolved as Sheng navigated widowhood in 2022, supporting her family by returning to work as a health lecturer and livestream host. Wu captured nearly 20,000 images of their daily life, prioritizing observation and listening over intrusive photography. He recently won the Long-Term Project Award at the World Press Photo Contest for his work, “Motherhood at 60.”

Wu notes the challenges of accessing intimate moments and respecting Sheng’s need for privacy, particularly during times of grief. He plans to continue the project as the twins enter adulthood, documenting the evolving family dynamic and Sheng’s future.