Just recently I became affiliated with an organization that provides bereavement photography for parents who will never have the opportunity to bring their newborn home.  The Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation. I am the new Area Coordinator for this foundation in Southwest Louisiana. I will be tasked with the responsibility of recruiting new volunteer photographers and spreading the word to local hospitals. All sessions are done free of charge and the images are also provided free of charge on a CD as well as a slide show DVD of their precious little treasure. 

When nurses or social workers at the hospital call on behalf of a family, I pack up my gear and head to the hospital.  I would first offer the family my condolences on their loss or impending loss, and then get to work, knowing that the images I capture will be their only connection to that child once they have said goodbye. Some of these babies pass away at or near birth due to genetic defects, pregnancy trauma or stillbirth. In other cases, doctors have tried everything they can to help find a cure for whatever ailment the child suffers from, but the hospital calls when the family has realized all efforts have been exhausted and they will soon be disconnecting life support. In some cases, we are able to capture the last images of this child’s time here on Earth; in other cases, the parents are more interested in seeing their child memorialized eternally at peace, meaning once the child has passed and no cords or IV’s are connected.

Please pray as I embark upon this meaningful journey. As a Ph.D. with expertise in stress, grief and trauma, I have been asked to do some training for Area Coordinators in Denver next month for the organization.

If someone you know might benefit from this free service have them give me a call. If you are a professional photographer and would like to volunteer please give me a call at 337-302-6624 or email: bleger@blegerphotography.com