Would you like to hear about a Miracle?

[J Eddington]

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

Janice,
We are currently in the process of setting up training in Dallas & in Houston the 3rd week in September I believe. It's still in the 'reserving space' stage right know. I just spoke with the trainer yesterday.

As far as shadowing - I also didn't get the benefit of shadowing before my first session - but I'd read the training manual 15 times before I even had my first call.

For my group - and I've only been the coordinator since October/November of last year - when a new volunteer signs up - they get access to our calendar. They contact the photographers who are on call the days that the new photographer is available. If that photographer gets a request for a session - they call the new photographer, and they get to shadow.
I did my training after I had done 4 shoots. I almost quite after training, only because the trainer was a jerk.

For us - we put the burden on the new volunteer to get the shadowing done - because it's not required. It's more of a 'comfort' factor than anything else. If you get approved - you know what your doing with a camera. Read the training manual - hang out on the NILMDTS forums and you can get through the rest without needing to go to the training or shadowing before your first session.

I'll post the dates for the training as soon as we get them confirmed.

Wow it sounds like your group has it together. I have only spoken to anyone when they need a photographer. No one offered anything to me. You guys have a schedule?!!! I am totally comfortable NOW. But the first three were hard. Only one because of the baby. Dealing with nurses and tubes etc was an uncomfortable for me. I now have no problem, but the first I was unsure what or how much to do. Some nurses are wonders other are not.

[EagleGirl]

We have a great system and Donna does a great job. Our only problem is all the holes in the schedule. I think we have 12 or 13 that sign up regularly, but that is not enough to cover the month. So any of you Houston photographers out there that might be reading this WE NEED YOU!

[epoh]

What all do y'all bring with you?

[EagleGirl]

When my friend is available, she comes along and I use the 580EX with a mushroom light which is a small umbrella with a white panel in the front. I can get some nice dramatic lighting that way. Canon 5D and 24-105mm lens.

[carrbowl]

Joanne, do you have a link as to your contraption for your light? I have not been happy with my flash effects and am looking for options besides bounce flash and the thingy !!!! I have on their now.

[Cajungaltx]

I'm simple - I use a D80 with a speedlight - and bounce it off the ceiling/wall. The rooms are usually fairly small - so this works quite nicely.

Janice - our group that covers the Texas Medical Center is very unique. We all select a day or two per month - and that is the ONLY day we take NILMDTS calls. The reset of the time - others provide coverage for the calls. It lets you volunteer, without it taking over your life. I know some areas where the same 2 or 3 people do all the sessions that come in... I couldn't deal with that as part of my life.

[EagleGirl]

By the way, I just talked to the baby's mother and she is doing even better - off oxygen and eating.

Here is the link to Dave Newman's gear. I saw these at Texas School last year.
http://www.portrait-world.com/main.s...8.qscstrfrnt04

[carrbowl]

Thanks...I thought that is what you were talking about...

[Kalrog]

I couldn't think of a better thread to bump with this question...

I am still waiting on approval (been just about 3 weeks now), but I was wondering about access to the Now I Sleep forum. Should I wait until I am approved or is it work registering now and browsing? I understand there is a section that I won't have access to until I am approved, but is it more work for the NILMDTS folks if I already have an account? I have spoken to the local coordinator and I am excited to help, but I can't say I am exactly looking forward to it.

[Cajungaltx]

I completely understand Nathan! ;-)

My understanding is that once you are accepted into the volunteer program you get the 'welcome' email. Then you get access to the “Forum” at www.nowisleep.com. I don't know if it's worth 'hanging out' on that forum without the photographer access.

[celticmama36]

PTL! I am so happy to hear of yet another miracle. He isn't done with that baby yet. She has a purpose...

Did any of you read the article about the baby (I can't remember now which country it happened in, but it wasn't here). The baby was pronounced dead. The doctor put the little one in the box and gave him/her to the parents to go home to prepare for burial. The mama went to take the baby from the box, and the baby was alive! I was so happy when I read that...this baby was 4 weeks further along than my own stillborn daughter. This baby was born at 24 weeks. I couldn't share the story with my husband without bawling my eyes out.

May He bless all of you that are providing the photography for the families going through the loss of a baby. I wish that there had been someone for me and my baby Dorian back then...but there was no one. I have the memory of her forever in my heart.

I plan to do something like NILMDTS through my own ministry, someday. I know that it is something that is needed, but I also know that I cannot handle it right now emotionally.

Thank you, all of you that do this, from the bottom of my heart. {{{hugs}}}