By Shawna Durick on Monday, 14 July 2008
Category: nilmtds

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Most of you have probably noticed that I've redone my site a little bit, and in the process I have added a new banner. I am proud to announce that I was recently accepted to become an affiliated photographer for Now I lay me down to sleep.
A little about NILMDTS...
"Pregnancy and birth are miraculous journeys. This amazing time of life is full of mystery, anticipation, joy, hope, and wonder. Feeling the powerful energy of birth and new life, watching as a new family is born unto each other. These things humble and amaze. These are the things that we celebrate when a baby is born.

But there is another aspect of pregnancy and birth. There is an unexpected place in this journey where some families may find themselves. When a baby dies, a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future.

This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.

The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of nearly 3,000 volunteer professional photographers in the United States and eight International countries. At a family's request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session. The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby.

Our entire network of affiliated professional photographers graciously donate their time and talents to our families and we are proud to be able to offer our services at no cost.Your Donations are greatly needed and greatly appreciated."


I know I have at least a couple of local photographers who check out my site. If this is something you might be interested in, please go to the NILMDTS site to apply. There are very few photographers around here who are involved, none in my zip code besides me. We are about to introduce this service to Hancock Regional, so I expect to start getting some calls soon. Also, if you know anyone about to go through a known loss, or who is going through a loss, please let them know about this service. We come in as a guest to the patient, not the hospital, so even if the hospital does not know about us, you can still use us.
Thank you to everyone who supports my photography and made it possible for my application to go through!