But there is another aspect of pregnancy and birth. There is an unexpected place in this journey where some families may find themselves. When a baby dies, a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future.

This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives. The NILMDTS mission statement is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with the gift of professional portraiture. We believe these images serve as an important step in the family’s healing process by honoring their child’s legacy.

The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of more than 7,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and 25 countries. At a family’s request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session. The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby.

Below is an excerpt of one family’s story …

Photos Bring Comfort During Darkest Hours

RyAnne Carr was just 10 days away from her due date when the unimaginable happened.

“The nurse took one look at the screen and said ‘I am sorry. He didn’t make it,’” recalled RyAnne Carr.

The baby boy she had been carrying for nearly 9 months suddenly stopped breathing. Her husband, Nathan, rushed to the doctor’s office to be by her side.

“My world stopped,” said RyAnne Carr.

The couple found themselves making arrangements to go to the hospital later that night to be induced. While in the hospital, a midwife suggested calling Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

“My immediate reaction was no. I could not see why we would want to take pictures of this nightmare that was happening, for goodness sakes this wasn’t a happy occasion,” said RyAnne Carr.

The midwife encouraged and convinced the couple to have the pictures taken even if they didn’t want to look at the images right away.

On April 16, 2011, Caleb Benedict Carr was born. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces. NILMDTS photographer, Jenni Merrill, was in the room and captured precious moments of the couple bathing and dressing their son, Caleb.

“They captured the peace we felt that morning as we met and then said goodbye to our first child,” RyAnne Carr said.

‘”Most moms have so many things to show for their child. All I have are these precious pictures that I almost turned down,’ said RyAnne, ‘I now keep wallet pictures of Caleb in my purse and show him off to anyone who asks. These pictures have brought us comfort during our darkest hours.”

We volunteer our services and support the NILMDTS Foundation. Our entire network of affiliated photographers graciously donate their time and talents to our families and we are proud to be able to offer our services at no cost. Donations are greatly needed and greatly appreciated which help to provide training and materials to educate hospitals and families of our services. We realize there are many organizations out there to donate to, but please consider NILMDTS as we have seen first had how these precious memories bring peace to families and how appreciative they are.

Donate to NILMDTS here.

Photographers: Do you have a bunch of props, backdrops, equipment, etc. that you rarely use? Want to earn some extra cash? Or maybe freshen up your inventory? Let’s clean out our studios … one photographer’s trash is another’s treasure!

How It Works:
1. Go through your props, equipment, backdrops, furniture, etc. and decide what you no longer want/use/need. Think about what you would like to get for it.
2. Bring your items to Heaven’s Touch Photography studio between Thursday, January 5th (8am-8pm) or Friday, January 6th (8am – noon). We will label your stuff with your name, contact info, and asking price.
3. Come shop on Friday, January 6th (noon-8pm) or Saturday, January 7th (10am-1pm) … find some new ideas and treasures!
4. Pick up the total you made and your unsold props Saturday, January 7th (1-2pm), Monday, January 9th (8-5pm) or Tuesday, January 10th (8-5pm).

Questions – Contact Mandy at Heaven’s Touch Photography at (920) 361-4270 or mandy@heavenstouchphotography.com

Map

We are looking for someone with a great personality who doesn’t just want to be an employee … but is interested in taking ownership in the business. You will photograph a variety of sessions and events from studio portrait sessions, sports, school photography, special events and weddings. Hours will start out as sessions demand and will hopefully become a full-time position.

Employment Application

Forward your resume and application as well as samples of your work no later than JANUARY 20th, 2012 to;

Heaven’s Touch Photography
Attn: Mandy
151 S. Adams Ave.
Berlin, WI 54923
or e-mail: mandy@heavenstouchphotography.com

We just received this metal Christmas Ornament at the studio starring Baby Maci born on 11-11-11. It is printed on both sides on metal and hung by a ribbon. What a great product to remember baby’s first Christmas or makes a wonderful gift for aunts, uncles and grandparents. 100% customizable. I love it!

We are looking for just the right person to add to our staff as a Sales/Marketing Associate. This would start as a part-time position (probably 2 afternoon/evenings a week) with the potential to add more hours as needed and hopefully become a full-time position. (An added bonus would be someone who might be interested in also assisting as a second photographer for high volume times, weddings, sports and school photography.)

Below is a link to the job description and application. Forward your application or any questions to Mandy.

Sales and Marketing Associate Job Description
Employment Application

Heaven’s Touch Photography
Attn: Mandy
151 S. Adams Ave.
Berlin, WI 54923
or e-mail: mandy@heavenstouchphotography.com

PEACE

– Includes your session (up to 6 people) and 1 – 5×7 ($78 value for only $50)

JOY

– Includes your session, proofs, 2-5×7′s and 30 photo greeting cards ($171 value only $125)

LOVE

– Includes your session, proofs, 11×14 mounted print, 48 custom press printed greeting cards. ($284 value only $175)

Call today to book your session. Be sure to plan plenty of time for prints and cards to come back so you will have them by Christmas … Christmas is only 49 days away (as of today)!

Heaven’s Touch Photography920-361-4270

All Saints Catholic School
– Monday, August 29th (4pm – 7pm)
Berlin High School
– Monday, August 8th (noon – 2pm)
– Tuesday, August 9th (5pm – 7pm)
– Wednesday, August 10th (2pm – 4pm)
– Thursday, August 11th (4pm – 6pm)
Berlin Middle School
– Wednesday, September 7th
Clay Lamberton Elementary
– Tuesday, September 20th – Kindergarten and 3rd Grade
– Wednesday, September 21st – 1st and 4th Grade
– Thursday, September 22nd – EC, 2nd and 5th Grade
Parkside School
– Thursday, September 15th
Redgranite Elementary
– Wednesday, September 14th
Riverview Elementary
– Monday, September 12th – 4K MW
– Tuesday, September 13th – 4K TT
– Friday, September 16th – K – 3rd Grade
Wautoma High School
– Thursday, September 8th

To receive the best picture prices, we encourage you to order pictures on or before picture day. If you have any questions, please call us before picture day at 920-361-4270.

Thank you,
Jeff and Mandy Lindemann
Heaven’s Touch Photography

Heaven’s Touch Photography