Creating Memories of a Dying Baby For Parents Through Photography
There are several organizations that help to ease the grief of NICU Parents and other parents by taking professional photographs of dying newborns.
Photographs create a tangible reminder of the brief moments shared between parent and child. Offering this type of a service to a parent can be invaluable.
The images serve as touchstones for feelings and memories pertaining to deep significant relationships and spiritual connections some of which may flourish in the intimacy of the last days or months of life.
Todd Hochberg
Photo Source: Nic Luc. Old Photo Lens. Royalty Free Use.
Note from Lensmaster
Out of respect to the families who must face this difficult time, the photographic images included in this lens are *not* of dying babies.
Photography Helps to Ease the Grief
As parents move through grief they also may struggle with holding on to memories and feelings about this short time with their baby, in the extreme some may wonder if their baby ever was.Todd Hochberg
One way of holding on to memories is through photographs of the baby.
Photo Source: Sona Psotová. Intimate. Royalty Free Use.
Gratitude for Documenting a Short Life
Quotes from Parents
- My husband and I can't express how grateful we are to have our baby girl's short little life with her family portrayed in such amazing images that were provided by Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep...
We were in awe when we received the images back. We were so amazed with "our family portrait" that we never would have had without these very talented and giving people. We will forever be grateful for this organization and the talent that went into producing such a beautiful memento of our baby girl.
Now I lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS)
Infant Remembrance Photography
Now I lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS) is a non-profit organization devoted to offering gentle and beautiful photography and videography services. Their services are available to all parents experiencing the death of a baby. There are no fees for creating these photographic memories.
- Now I lay Me Down To Sleep - Infant Bereavement Photography
- This is the main home page for Now I lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS).
- Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Discussion Forum - Powered by vBulletin
- An online support forum for parents and families from Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.
How Photography Aids the Grieving Process
The Healing Aspect of Bereavement Photography
These is a stong healing aspect to bereavement photograph. Todd Hochberg shares is thoughts about what he has learned from his work.
In particular, Todd share how photographs facilitate parents grieving process. Photographs help by:
Todd feels that offering parents an illustrated narrative of "their story" for themselves and the loved ones they choose to share it with, helps to fostering greater social support and connection, which also aids in the grieving process.
Source:
Hochberg T. In Your Eyes; The Caregiver and Bereavement Photography. Share. 2003.
In particular, Todd share how photographs facilitate parents grieving process. Photographs help by:
- 1. Making their baby's life and death real for the parents. Making the life real is a significant issue with brief perinatal lives.
2. Validating the parents feelings, both at the time of their baby's death and up to the present.
3. Being an affirmation of parenthood, a reminder that there was a child that they were a parent to.
4. Providing a tangible record of their time with their baby. The photographs often include cherished close up details of their baby's physical features and evidence of loving familial bonds.
5. Allowing them to connect with the many feelings and memories that may have gotten lost in the torrent of overwhelming grief at the time or in the weeks since.
Todd feels that offering parents an illustrated narrative of "their story" for themselves and the loved ones they choose to share it with, helps to fostering greater social support and connection, which also aids in the grieving process.
Source:
Hochberg T. In Your Eyes; The Caregiver and Bereavement Photography. Share. 2003.
History of Documenting Family Photographs
- We in Europe are traditionally photographers and have a tradition, even before photography, of having portraits made. Lots of museums are filled with charming pictures from our past. Everywhere are family pictures and cameras have been traditional gifts for generations. During the Victorian era, it was very common to take pictures of deceased family members.
Those pictures were sent to all those who lived to far away so that they could be "present" at the funeral. Our forefathers seamed to acknowledge that death was important enough to be documented. The visual record seemed logical and important for the memories.
Monika Jaquier
Anencephalie-Info
Why take pictures of dying babies ?
Answers to the Difficult Question from Anencephalie Mom
- A picture helps to confirm your baby's existence and to confront the reality of her or his death.
- A pictures shows exactly what the baby looked like. So you don't have to rely on your memory or imagination.
- A picture gives you the possibility to share your baby with other people. In your grief you can show whom you are grieving for. Not a fantasy nor a dream, but your child.
- A picture can even be the only tangible memory of what your baby looked like. For siblings who weren't been born or were too young at the moment of the baby's death, it's important to be able to show them a picture saying : " this was your brother, your sister. "
- Pictures along with other mementos are a way to prevent families from leaving the hospital with empty arms on top of broken hearts.
Advice for taking pictures of deceased or dying babies
- Advice for taking pictures of deceased or dying babies
- The Anencephaly Information site offers some helpful advice for taking photographs of dying babies.
Articles on Bereavement Photography
- Babies Who Die From Terminal Illness Live On Through Photographs
- An innovative non-profit organization seeks to ease grief of parents by creating stunning visual memories of newborns who have been hospitalized for terminal conditions. Babies Who Die From Terminal Illness Live On Through Photographs.
- Portraits help grieving parents mourn, cherish their children
- An article on the Columbus, Ohio chapter of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, started by Debra Stoner after the death of her infant daughter.
Capturing a Memory - Bringing a Baby to Life
Quotes from Parents
- We were fortunate to have a photographer in our area who could capture these images for our family. I am grateful to Steve, for creating such beautiful, beautiful images of Chase. After all, these images are all we have of our son to hold on to, and to remember him by. In a way, it was Steve who brought my baby to life and marked his presence on this earth.
I am truly thankful to the doctor who suggested the idea, and to my husband for agreeing to have it done. I am thankful for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep organization; to all the people who brought it to life. It is here where Chase's memory lives.
Touching Souls Bereavement Photography
With Photographer Todd Hochberg
Todd Hochberg is a documentary photographer. His Touching Souls Bereavement Photography has supported parents experiencing perinatal loss, as they say goodbye to their babies, since 1997.
In conjunction with hospital bereavement programs, palliative care programs, hospices and directly with individuals, he makes documentary photographs for families struggling with a loved one's serious illness or grieving the death of a loved one.
The images serve as touchstones for feelings and memories pertaining to deep significant relationships and spiritual connections some of which may flourish in the intimacy of the last days or months of life.
Todd's work is published widely and he presents to a variety of professional groups nationally and locally.
Touching Souls Bereavement Photography
More About Todd Hochberg
Photographer Todd Hochberg of Touching Souls Bereavement Photography has supported parents experiencing perinatal loss, as they say goodbye to their babies, since 1997. The photographs of babies with their grieving parents are available as valuable emotional mementos for families in Chicago.
- Touching Souls Website
- Todd Hoshber's main website - Touching Souls with Bereavement Photography.
- Touching Souls: Healing with Bereavement Photography
- An pdf file of the article from ADEC's (Association for Death Education and Counseling) "The Forum" from April 2003
- In Your Eyes; The Caregiver and Bereavement Photography
- An article from SHARE's "Caring Notes" Fourth Quarter 2003 about Touching Souls.
Making Your Baby into a Real Person
Quotes from Parents
- I want to tell you how glad I am that we went to your studio to view the video. I knew it would be emotional, but I was anxious not knowing what to expect. As Erin walked us back to the viewing room, I caught a glimpse as we came around the corner of the first image on the wall with Matthew's name. I was overwhelmed with emotion and frankly don't remember even walking into the room. It was such a small thing - his name - but seeing it up there so big, waiting for us, made it so important. Like he mattered to you as much as he mattered to us.
It made him a real person in such a celebratory way - he'll never have a birthday or a first step, but he had this special and important day and I'll always remember that. I can't even describe to you how validating and meaningful that was for me.
I Say My Prayers - Breavement Photography
With Photographer Jennifer Taylor
- I am a professional photographer, specializing in capturing precious moments in time....[and] provide additional services to families who are experiencing the challenges of having a child with a life-threatening illness.
As I was pondering the whole concept of combining my experiences, education and talent to help give back, I discovered bereavement photography.
My gift of photography allows me to give back to others by capturing memories that can never be replaced.
Jennifer Taylor
I Say My Prayer
I Say My Prayers - Bereavement Photography
I Say My Prayers involves taking pictures of terminally ill children, individually and/or with their families. The child may be a newborn who will never leave the hospital or it may be a teenager. I will capture the "spirit" and the "life" of the child for the families to hold on to forever. The sitting and the pictures are donated by me to the families.
- I Say My Prayers - Bereavement Photography - Serving Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Texas
- Offering families free professional photography of their terminally ill children.
IMI National Guidelines on Bereavement Photography
- IMI National Guidelines on Bereavement Photography
- A pdf file with an informative review on the topic of Bereavement Photography that includes helpful guidelines for potential photographers from the Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI) an organization providing Clinical Photography, Art, Graphics and Video in Healthcare. This may be useful if a professional photographer is not available and the NICU staff needs to take the photos.
American Child Photographers Charity Guild
Practicing the Art of Giving Back
Child Photographers across the nation have networked together to provide families of desperately ill children complimentary portrait sessions. There are no fees for this service.
- American Child Photographers Charity Guild
- A non-profit, volunteer based organization of child photographers from all over the country who have come together to form a guild dedicated to children in need and their families.
A Featured Lens on Memorial Photography
-
Memorial Photography - Postmortem Photography
-
While many people do not think of photographing loved ones after they have died, the practice of memorial postmortem photography or photographing a loved one after their death was common practice in the 19th and 20th centuries. Memorial Photography or...
Featured Lens on NICU Babies
-
My NICU Baby is Dying: Now What?
-
This lens is developed to support the 1,000's of NICU Parents each year who must face the difficult realization that their NICU baby will not be discharged to home because their NICU baby is dying. Each year nearly 30,000 infants die in the United St...
-
My NICU Baby has Died: Now What?
-
Many parents consider the loss of a child to be the highest level of loss. The information on the site cannot take away the intense pain and sorrow you are feeling. Instead I offer information, resources and support that others who have been in simil...
Featured Lens on Stillborn Death
-
Stillborn Loss - For Those Who Have Lost A Baby And Need A Comforting Friend
-
Mia Jenifer Moyer was born March 4, 2002. Oh, I miss her. I think of her often. I wonder what she would be doing now or what she would look like. Thinking back, I wonder how I made it through. However, I know why and you will see by reading my lens....
Reader Feedback on Bereavement Photography for Dying Babies
Your place for stories, comments, messages, suggestions and ideas
Have You been touched by Bereavement Photography?
|
ChristinasFavs
Beautiful lens! Thanks for sharing. Posted July 09, 2008 |
|
JohnNilsen1108
Great little lense for newbies to model,gave you 5 stars, let me know what you think of my lense. Posted June 27, 2008 |
|
|
JohnNilsen1108
Great little lense for newbies to model,gave you 5 stars, let me know what you think of my lense. Posted June 27, 2008 |
|
michaelgibbons
Great lens about a very difficult, yet hopeful subject. A photo can be a very powerful thing -- you may want to check out my lens about making Posted June 23, 2008 |
|
PaulaFarris
Oh how I wish I had thought to take pictures when my precious Tamara died in my arms at one hour old. She would be 18 years old this year and I still miss her. Thanks for the beautiful lens. Posted April 14, 2008 |
Benefiting the March of Dimes
This lens benefits the March of Dimes, whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. 
