Last week, I had the opportunity that I had been looking forward to, yet dreading at the same time... I had my first session as a "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" photographer. If I haven't shared what this organization is all about, please visit their website at www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org for more info. Basically, it is an organization that provides remembrance photography through volunteer prfessional photographers for parents who have lost an infant. Actually, I had my first TWO sessions. I was a bit nervous, since I had not even shadowed another photographer, but after attending a training seminar the previous week, I felt comfortable offering to do the sessions. I can't even begin to explain all of the different thoughts and emotions and feelings I have encountered, but altogether, it was an incredible experience. I just feel completely honored and priveleged to be able to provide this service for these families that are going through something so devastating and hope that the images I capture of their little angels can help them, to some degree, begin to heal. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with this talent and led me to this organization, where I feel such a sense of purpose. This has also made me even more grateful for my own healthy children. When I returned home from these first two sessions, after midnight, I quietly crept into their rooms and gave each of the kids kisses as they slept peacefully, silently thanking Heavenly Father for them.
The reason I am just posting this now, is because I finished the retouching on some of the images of each baby, so the families could get something printed for their memorial services. After the one mother viewed the pictures online tonight for the first time , she called me and thanked me repeatedly. It is just amazing and humbling to me, how grateful these families are amidst all they are going through. I felt a huge weight as I photographed each session, and then as I retouched the images, wanting to capture everything perfectly, so they would have a beautiful portrait to record and remember their perfect little angel, despite the short duration of their lives. But after tonight, I feel a bit of relief, knowing that this mother, especially loved the images of her beautiful baby girl.
2 comments:
Amber I know you've only posted about this a couple times, but both times it just makes me cry so much! It's not something I think about only while I read your blog, but then I think about it for DAYS! I cannot imagine losing a child...at ANY point in their lives...what a blessing you are to these families! A true angel in disguise!
I am glad you are doing that for people. I had to say that I love your new header. It is so cute. And I hope you survived your day today..with your sanity and everything.
Post a Comment