I have been given a gift by the parents who invite me to photograph their children. With this project, I feel I am creating some of my most powerful images, and that is because parents allow me to share in their love of their precious gifts. I believe this is the purpose of my photography - to touch people's lives and to be touched by them in return.
To all NILMDTS parents, thank you for sharing the gift of your children.
- Nathan Tsukroff, NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer, Gray Maine
Our daugher-to-be had Trisomy 13, a genetic disorder, so we knew she would have a very limited time here on earth. I contacted your website for a local photographer. Tammy Smith from Elite Photo in Manchester NH came to the hospital at 1 am to take photos. She and Jeff were wonderful. Lara Susan Grotenhuis experienced much love in the seven hours of her life. Thanks to NILMDTS and the understanding professionals you recommend, we have great memories of Lara we can visit again and again.
Thank you
- Neal & Verlie Grotenhuis
I just finished my first photo session with a family. What a blessing it ended up being for me, although a very difficult situation for the family. I am so thankful that I spent time getting to know the mother and father before the birth. This helped a great deal when I was at the hospital in the room as the little guy was being born. It was heart wrenching to take photos as the rest of the family came into the room to hold the baby, but those photos turned out to be captured moments in time that will never happen again. Without them, the family has nothing else to remember their child by. I encourage any photographer out there to consider being part of the NILMDTS family and help others through their photography.
- Cindy Tharp, NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer, Victoria Texas
My husband Danny and I just lost our son Jace Micheal Lawrence. He was our first baby and he was an angel. I don't know what I would do without the services of "Now I lay me down to sleep." I asked Kirk Kief, "I feel like there is nothing I can do to repay you," and he said "that we are the ones to thank." I want you to know that when I found out that my son was dying, the last thing on my mind was to take pictures of the most depressing moment of my life. Looking back at the split second when the hospital told me about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, I am so glad for the small part of me that made me say "yes," because without that small part I would not have these beautiful pictures and paintings that will last a lifetime. They are all that I have of my precious angel. They will remind me that he was real. Thank you for all that you do and have done for my husband and myself.
-Natalie Lawrence
I'm a NILMDTS affiliated photographer from WA. When I was 21 years old, my 5 month old baby daughter Hannah died. When I started my photography business, always in the back of my mind I was hoping to offer something to families who's babies wouldn't get to come home. After several years, I was told about NILMDTS and didn't hesitate for two seconds about joining. I had my first NILMDTS session in October2005, a beautiful little angel named Seraphine Joy. In many ways she reminded me of my Hannah, and it was so comfortable and familiar to hold her. She passed away two weeks after her session. Being able to provide this service to her family- knowing that I could do nothing else to help their pain- as heartbreaking as it was for me to get the call that she'd passed, when I showed them their slideshow, the hugs I got from her mom and dad was possibly the greatest thing I've felt in a very long time.
- Jen Eagen, NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer, Everett Washington
The staff of Labor and Delivery at United Hospital in St.Paul and myself would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care and photograghy your NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer's provided to a patient here on May 8, 2006. The staff was so touched by their interaction with them and the great work they did. I wanted to let you know the impact NILMDTS has made on us here. I am sure that the family is very grateful for the pictures you took and the memories you have provided. Thank you again and keep up the great work.
-Cindy Osborn, United Hospital, St. Paul Minnesota
To submit your testimonial please email us at headquarters@nilmdts.org.