Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep – Heartlove Photography

Nearly 2 years ago, I was introduced to the organization Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. This amazing non-profit is a collection of volunteer photographers across the globe who provide a standard gift of heirloom quality images to families who have or will suffer early infant loss or stillbirth. Families are given a CD of retouched, black and white images and a copyright release letter to allow them to print the images at a location of their choice.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep’s mission is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with a free gift of professional portraiture. NILMDTS affiliated photographers come to hospital or hospice locations for a private and sensitive photography session that is as loving, sensitive and private as possible.

Every situation is so different, so while there is a standard gift from NILMDTS, often photographers take extra steps to provide families with the most they can. Unfortunately, every year hundreds of families in Maryland go without this service simply because there are not enough volunteers. That’s why I’m writing today – I hope to inspire other photographers to donate a little of their time to this important cause.

This past fall, I was able to meet a special family and a beautiful little boy who was not expected to survive his birth. The Anderson family was referred to NILMDTS through pediatric hospice and I was lucky to be the photographer to serve them. As a NILMDTS photographer, the images I take are never shared. They are kept 100% private with the exception of parents who specifically ask that the images are made public. In this case, we hope many people know and remember Mason through his images and spread the word that we are in need of photographer’s who can give this gift.

In the words of his mother:

Mason’s story began on June 19, 2013 when we went for a routine anatomical ultrasound; only to find out the second child we were so excited about had Trisomy 13. He was not expected to survive to be 1 year old. We were devastated and forced to face a number of decision, which we hope that others don’t have to entertain.  We decided to carry him to term and enrolled in the pediatric hospice local to us, through them we were introduced to NILMDTS.

Through my pregnancy, we attempted to make the most of the time we had with Mason. On October 28, 2013 at 2:10am, he was born alive and kicking. We were fortunate to have six wonderful weeks with him.  Mason passed away on December 11, 2013 at 7:37 am.

We are so grateful to have the pictures that NILMDTS sponsored for us, what a wonderful gift to have -the gift of remembrance.  We can’t tell you how much the photos mean to our family, we will always have a family portrait that includes him and we can’t thank you enough!  Mason’s journey is documented on the Caring bridge site, just search for Mason Orion Anderson and help us remember him.

If you are a professional photographer and would consider donating a small amount of time to photographing families in need, please click here to apply. If you can do one session a week or one session a year, we need you! If you are unsure if this might be for you, feel free to contact me directly.

It’s a small sacrifice to give a little time to a families who has such a short amount of time with their baby.

1 thought on “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep”