Baby Natalya by NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer

Finding Purpose Through Loss: Volunteering with NILMDTS

In 2011, my first daughter was stillborn. During one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life, a volunteer photographer from Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) came to the hospital to photograph her. At the time, I was overwhelmed with grief and struggling to process what had happened.

Somewhere in our conversation, the photographer shared that they had also experienced the loss of a child. That simple moment brought unexpected comfort. It reminded me that I was not alone and that someone truly understood the depth of what we were going through.

At the time, I did not fully understand how important those photographs would become. Over the years, they have turned into the most meaningful and treasured keepsakes I have of my daughter. They are the only tangible proof of her life, and their value is beyond words.

Why I Chose to Volunteer for NILMDTS

My experience is what led me to volunteer with NILMDTS. I wanted to give other families the same gift that was given to me. While I have always enjoyed photography, my motivation goes far beyond that. I want to support families who are facing the devastating loss of a baby and help provide something that may bring comfort in the future.

These remembrance photographs often become a lasting connection between parents and their child. In moments when time feels impossibly short, images can preserve love, connection, and memory in a way nothing else can.

The Impact of Infant Loss Photography

Volunteering as a NILMDTS photographer means offering compassion during one of the most difficult experiences a family can face. It is about creating a memory that parents can hold onto when they have so little time with their baby.

These photographs honor a baby’s life and acknowledge that they existed, were deeply loved, and will always be part of their family’s story.

This work requires patience, empathy, and deep respect for grief. It has completely changed how I view photography. It is no longer only about creativity or technical skill. It is about service, connection, and preserving moments that truly matter.

What may seem like a small act can have a profound and lasting impact. For many families, these images become priceless.

Becoming a Volunteer Photographer or Digital Retouch Artist

As both a photographer and a digital retouch artist in training, I have learned that this work can be emotional, but it is also incredibly meaningful. Knowing that these images may be the only physical memories a family has of their baby gives this role a deep sense of purpose.

Photography in this context becomes more than art. It becomes a tool for healing, remembrance, and love.

A Lasting Gift for Families Experiencing Loss

Volunteering with NILMDTS is ultimately about giving families a gift during a time of unimaginable loss. It is the opportunity to help them remember their baby through images that honor their life and the love that surrounds them.

I am so grateful to be part of this organization and to serve families in this way.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a dedicated 501(c)(3) non-profit, offers families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss with complimentary remembrance portraits, capturing precious moments with their babies. Your generous donation can help us extend this heartfelt service to more families in need. Please consider supporting us here.