What is Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS)? It is an organization that provides families with the gift of remembrance portraits to parents experiencing the death of a baby. This is an amazing gift of which you can be a part. I met up with the NILMDTS folks at Imaging USA during Professional Photographers of America convention in Grapevine Texas.

NILMDTS work

From their website: “NILMDTS offers the gift of healing, hope and honor to parents experiencing the death of a baby through the overwhelming power of remembrance portraits. Professional-level photographers volunteer their time to conduct an intimate portrait session, capturing the only moments parents spend with their babies. Parents are gifted with delicately retouched black and white digital portraits free of charge.

Image from NILMDTS session.

These priceless images serve as an important step in the healing recovery for bereaved families. NILMDTS remembrance photography validates the existence and presence of these precious babies by honoring their legacy.

NILMDTS recruits, trains, and mobilizes professional quality photographers around the world. Through NILMDTS, medical providers are given a meaningful option to offer bereaved parents by creating remembrance portraiture for their babies.”

“I can attest to the healing power of NILMDTS portraiture. I see my son everyday because of an amazing volunteer photographer. Now, it is an honor to be able to capture the most important moments of undying love for other families. “ Ali Furtwangler, Parent & Affiliated Photographer

Volunteer

There are three positions that you can apply to be a volunteer. As a photographer, re-toucher or dispatcher.

Photographers meet with the families at the hospital and capture professional portraits of the child and family members. According to the NILMDTS website you find fulfillment by lending your talents to parents experiencing a loss. This is a service that turns a hidden pain into a beautiful portrait: one that brings healing to the family.

“That night was the worst night of my life. But when I look at the images, I am not reminded of my worst night. I’m reminded of the beauty and blessings he brought.” Cheryl Haggard Maddux’s mother and co-founder of NILMDTS

Retouchers are needed as images need massaging after capture and not all solid photographers are good retouchers. This is a great help to photographers who might hold back due to not having the additional retouching skills.

Melanie Rodgers and Missy Thomas at the NILMDTS booth at Imaging USA.

Dispatchers take calls from hospitals that are in need of photography coverage. They then contact available photographers for coverage. NILMDTS is always looking for help in all categories.

How do I get involved?

Here’s a link for the volunteer affiliated photographer. As part of the application process, NILMDTS they request that you submit five indoor portraits of people that showcase your proficiency in lighting, posing, composition, focus and meticulous attention to detail. While they require all five images to be portraits, it is not necessary for them to feature children or infants. There is a complete application process and requirements to become a volunteer. You will find them in the link above. If you tried in the past and were not accepted note that qualifications have changed an been streamlined. The process in not as intensive as it was.

Logos are available for your website to promote your work with NILMDTS.

Final thoughts

Even if you feel you can’t cover a lot of sessions give it a go. Every session covered helps a family. Know that there are 1,875 active medical affiliates and approximately 880 affiliated photographers.

Yours in Creative Photography,

Bob