Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
"You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give." ~ Winston Churchill
As we get ready to kick off a jam packed weekend workshop of Newborn and Baby Photography with Sandy Puc' tomorrow, I wanted to share with you a powerfully meaningful organization that Sandy co-founded.
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) is a priceless network of volunteer photographers who create rememberance photographs of babies who will never come home from the hospital. Photographer Sandy Puc' co-founded the non-profit organization whose photographers gently help families who experience pregnany and infant loss with heirloom portraits at no cost. These portraits are often the most tangible thing parents and families have to remember their babies. In a time of confusion, sadness, fear and uncertainty, professional photographers capture tender moments for families to remember their child's short life.
One of our creativeLIVE family members Jesse Michener is a NILMDTS volunteer photographer and Tacoma, WA area coordinator. Jesse graciously shared her touching story.
NILMDTS is currently seeking to expand Remembrance Photography Services to all cities around the world. NILMDTS offers training sessions for volunteer photogaphers as well as support network. To find out more information about getting involved as a volunteer photographer, visit www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/photographers/.
Here's another opportunity to help. In this video Sandy Puc' invites photographers to participate in an annual fundraiser for NILMDTS. Whether you are affiliated with NILMDTS or not, the 2012 Charity Model Search gives photographers to way to gain exposure and build their business during the slow season while fundraising for NILMDTS.
Are any of you already part of NILMDTS or know a photographer that is? Let us know in the comments!
"There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world." ~NILMDTS
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Learned of NILMDTS the hard way
I'm so glad to see creativeLIVE spreading the word about NILMDTS. In January of 2010 my wife and I lost our twin boys Jesse and Dale shortly after they were born. Thankfully, the staff at the hospital knew about NILMDTS and were able to arange for Jimmy Allen to come and take photos of our boys. Not only did he give us photos to help our healing process but his calm, respectful, and concerned presence was something that my entire family appreciated. We can never thank him enough.
One of those pictures is in my photo bag at all times. I don't share it with others and rarely look at it, but its comforting to know they're with me in a since. Especially since they have become the insperation that has driven my own photographic passion. The beautiful things I see in the world since then have become almost painfully vivid in a way they weren't before and I'm compelled to record them and to make beautiful creations of my own.
Wow, that is possibly the
Wow, that is possibly the saddest story I have ever heard but thank God for this photographer that gives these families these photos to remember their babies. These photos will be treasured memories for these grieving parents.
It is really heartwarming to read about someone who does what most people don't think about doing worldwide by providing photos of babies to families who are losing them.
Never thought we'd use your services
So glad you are highlighting this organization here. I first heard of NILMDTS at a photography workshop where the area coordinator was trying to recruit some new volunteers. I so admired what the organization was doing but felt like I wouldn't be strong enough to take on that kind of responsibility so I did nothing about it at the time.
Within the past month my family has utilized their services-something I NEVER imagined. This always happens to "somebody else."
Seeing the healing these pictures have brought to my sister has made me again so appreciate this wonderful organization and I'm re-evaluating my ability to emotionally handle volunteering because I see on a more personal level just how very important this service is!!!!
Niki, Volunteering for
Niki,
Volunteering for NILMDTS is something that I've been wanting to do since we had need of their services for our twin boys. The emotional toll is something that I haven't been ready to take on till recently. I'm so pleased to hear you are thinking of working with them since I know from the hospital staff its not always possible to find someone available when needed. The more dedicated photographers lending their talents simply means more families will receive a gift that will help them greatly with the long healing process ahead of them.
Also, on a happier note, we did have a boy, girl set of twins since then who are happy and healthy nine month olds who've stretched my editing backlog to insanely long time frames. I'll be applying to work with them as soon as the little ones give me enough time that I can guarantee a quick turn around for getting images back to the families. Making a family wait at such a difficult time is just unthinkable.
Russell
thank you
Thank you Niki for sharing your story. I am so sorry to hear your family experienced such a tragic loss. I am blown away by the global response by people such as you who have had a similar loss and who want to get involved in NILMDTS.
want to do this in Argentina
Since I heard of this organization years ago I wanted to provide these kinds of pictures for families in Argentina where I live. I didn't know how I would be able to deal with those kinds of scenarios.
Well, I had to be the photographer for my own son this month. He was born at 24 weeks and was with us two days. I was the grieving mother and photographer at the same time. But I cherish these pictures, because they remind me of a person who was in our lives for a very short time who is very real and greatly loved. I greatly respect photographers who share their skills with families who have lost their children. Liz
Thank you Liz
Thank you Liz for sharing your story. You are an inspiration and strong strong woman.
it's about love
Thank you, Kenna, although I don't see myself as a strong woman. Just a mother who knew what she wanted and needed, and that no matter what I was feeling at the moment I knew I would be happier with pictures later. I am grateful for my equipment and knowledge which allowed me to have pictures of my boy. You can see pictures of him on my facebook page under FotosEli. I love CreativeLive by the way! :)
i know several photographers
i know several photographers who volunteer, and i will be applying shortly. it's too important to wait any longer.
very important
yes - very important! I'm going to explore volunteering as well.
NILMDTS
We have a team of 15 photographers who do this work in Ireland. Sometimes new photographers say its too tough, or they couldn't face the sadness, but honestly it is THE MOST rewarding thing I've ever done. The moments I spend with these families are the moments that give me utmost satisfaction in my life - giving of my time and expertise for no reason but to help another - that's the secret, imho! Do it Kenna - it will scare the pants off you first time, but you will never be the same person again - its a wonderful gift to give these families♥.