Steve Eller Creative - Worship, Web Design - San Diego, CA

Recently we met with a photographer, Kimberlee West, who was building her portfolio and wanted to shoot our kids. Great photographer, and we are really looking forward to seeing the pics! I decided to check out her web site and I found out she is part of non-profit organization of photographers that donate their time and talents to shoot pictures of terminally ill infants.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep attempts to help parents and families through of the healing process of losing a newborn child.

Here is a further explanation of what they are about (from their web site):

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 more than 5,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and nineteen 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 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.

What they are doing really touched my heart, and hit me as an extension of God’s hand. They are a non-profit, so if you are interested, they do take donations. If you want to get involved check out their web site at nilmdts.org