The most touching website I've ever seen

[Elsaspet]

The photogs on this website donate their time by going to hospitals to take beautiful and moving memorial portraits of dying or recently deased children for the grief sticken parents, so they have SOMETHING to remember their babies by.
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/
I cried my eyes out when I saw this. There is one lady in Fort Worth that donates her time, but she is the only one in the entire Dallas/Fort Worth Area. I'm simply not good enough of a photographer, or I would sign up. I would hope all you really great photogs in the Dallas/Fort Worth will do so. It couldn't be for a more touching cause.
Just a warning if you go to this site: It WILL make you cry. It's that beautiful.

[CypressPhotog]

Okay, I just cried!

[steve817]

I have considered it, but don't know if I can.

[AjP]

can watch it, don't want everyone at work see me crying, I don't know how photog even took pics, I won't be able to such things, extremely emotional situations

[Holly]

I wish I was good enough to volunteer for that. It's definitely something you don't want to mess up on, or lose images of. More pressure than a wedding I think. I'll definitely pass on the website to people that I know ARE good enough. Thank you for the link.

[Erin Kathleen]

I would consider it. I don't think I'm good enough, but more than that I don't know if I could handle it emotionally. I wonder if the photog here in DFW would consider letting me tag along and try it. I would hate to have it not come out, but it's something I would love to be able to do...

[Trey Neal]

What wonderful work these folks are doing.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

I signed up for it.

If I am approved, anyone is welcome to join me (on a shoot I hope never happens).

_/oe

[Erin Kathleen]

Keep me posted, Joe. I talked to my husband last night and we agreed that I should wait till I quit my "real" job and am doing photography full time before I try to take on anything more. I'm spread pretty thin these days as it is. I still don't know that I'm good enough, but I think I'm better than nothing, right? I will definitely keep it bookmarked and look into it more in March when I have more time.

[ShutteredEye]

I've been really struggling with this one. My wife works at Cook Childrens in the PICU and so I would probably have some support as far as having access. I just struggle with wondering if I can take the caliber of photos shown thus far the website. A

Also, I just don't know how they look on amateur photograpers....

If anyone needs information or a contact at Cook Children's my wife might be convinced to work with you.

[ShutteredEye]

Originally Posted by Joe_Lorenzini

I signed up for it.

If I am approved, anyone is welcome to join me (on a shoot I hope never happens).

_/oe

I'd love to join you.

And believe me, these situations happen much more often than we might suspect, unfortunately.

Even worse is the number of non-accidental traumas my wife has been taking care of lately. It's been damn near every day a new one. It's sickening.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

I don't want to give the wrong idea, I did not sign up for this lightly and I do have experience both with hospitals and these particular situations so I am probably a bit more "comfortable" (I know that's the wrong word but I couldn't think of a more PC one) with what's going on than others.

I know as a parent that this is a service I would use and with no one signed up in my area I feel like this is something I can help others with. I may not be as talented as the others on the site but that's not enough to convince me I can't handle it.

_/oe

[Erin Kathleen]

I guess, Joe, that's how I feel. I've been through this - indirectly - with a family friend. Molly made it to 8 years old and that was a miracle. We all treasure every photo we have of her as well as all our memories. Emotionally, I know it would be a lot for me to handle because I'm that type of person, but it's something I feel that I could do to help and to give back. And it's better than nothing. I guess, I have an idea what I'm getting myself into even if I won't really know till I get there and every experience is different. But I agree with my husband in that I don't have the time or emotional strength to do it right now and when/if I do take it on, I need to make sure that I can give it 110% of my energies and my talent, does that make sense?

[ShutteredEye]

Originally Posted by Joe_Lorenzini

I don't want to give the wrong idea, I did not sign up for this lightly and I do have experience both with hospitals and these particular situations so I am probably a bit more "comfortable" (I know that's the wrong word but I couldn't think of a more PC one) with what's going on than others.

I know as a parent that this is a service I would use and with no one signed up in my area I feel like this is something I can help others with. I may not be as talented as the others on the site but that's not enough to convince me I can't handle it.

_/oe

Well, if you get setup with a couple shoots, I'd really like to go along, maybe after a couple I'd be comfortable enough with the technical aspects of the shoot to do them on my own. The emotional nature of the work I can handle for sure, but i'm worried about bumbling the shoot.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Hey all,

Erin, what you are saying makes perfect sense. I doubt I'd be considering it if I were single with no kids... Not something you want to rush into...

As for bumbling the shot, I can't imagine that feeling will ever go away for anyone who does a now-or-nothing shoot like this. I certainly will feel it but I will most likely go prepared with a notebook so I can review and edit shots directly at the hospital. Just in case!!

I'll keep you posted on what I learn when I hear back from them. They may not even accept me into the program...

_/oe