I love the idea of giving back to the community and have joined up with the following causes to do just that.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

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 NILMDTS mission statement is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with the gift of professional portraiture.  We believe these images serve as an important step in the family’s healing process by honoring their child’s legacy.

The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of more than 7,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and 25 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.

Pictures Of Hope Foundation:

Through Pictures of Hope I offer complimentary photography sessions to any family with a child in the NICU. As I’m sure you are already aware, time spent in the NICU is often an unexpected journey for families, a journey full of overwhelming emotions…sadness, confusion, hope, celebration, and unfortunately, at times grief. Throughout this rollercoaster of emotions, many parents do not consider the importance of documenting these precious moments in their lives nor do they think about how much they will truly cherish these images years down the road. It is my hope to provide these families with beautiful images they will always cherish, and I hope to be able to offer these wonderful services to families with a child in the NICU at (name of hospital) as well.

What is provided?

Families with a child in the NICU would receive a complimentary photography session, using the available light in each room, and receive a complimentary set of 4×6 photographs from the session (approx. 25). Upon request, images could also be posted to a private online gallery to share with family and friends who are unable to visit. Sessions can take place immediately upon entering the NICU or parents may opt to wait until closer to their dismissal date. Each session would be entirely accommodated to the needs of the individual family. The session would include individual images of the baby (including any attached wires/monitors, nothing will need to be disconnected), as well as relationship type images with mom and dad (if possible), captured with a more photojournalistic approach. There are absolutely no pre-qualifications or fees for the services provided by Pictures of Hope photographers (many of whom are ‘NICU mothers’ themselves). Any family with a child in the NICU qualifies.

Think Pink Photography

Think Pink Session
Through our professional photographer network, we are helping breast cancer patients to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions.

Any individual that has been diagnosed with breast cancer or completed treatment within the past 12 months qualifies for a Think Pink Session. Sessions are available to document the fight before or during treatment or to celebrate the victory when treatment is completed.

Professional photographers world-wide are now available to donate time and talent to celebrate life and support the cause. There is no cost or obligation to the breast cancer patient. Clients participating in a Think Pink Session will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as a set of 10 small prints from the session. They will also receive a discount on any additional portraits they wish to purchase, although there is absolutely no purchase required at any time.