Archive for April, 2009

I am so pleased to tell everyone that I am now an affiliated photographer with Pictures of Hope. Being affiliated with ACPCG and with NILMDTS as an Area Coordinator have shown me what a need there is for this type of service for families with children in a NICU in the Buffalo NY area.  I have many friends who have gone through the months of having a child in a NICU whom I am sure would have done anything for an organization like Pictures of Hope.  Please be sure to visit the website for more details, and information on finding a photographer if you are not in my area.  Please help spread the word with us!

What is Pictures of Hope?
Pictures of Hope is a charitable organization of professional photographers who provide complimentary, documentary-style, photography sessions to babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and their families.  The Pictures of Hope Foundation is comprised of photographers (many of whom are “NICU mothers” themselves) from across the United States and Canada who are dedicated to donating their time to a cause they believe in, and sharing the gift of photography with families in need.

What is provided in a NICU session?
Families with a child in the NICU receive a complimentary photography session, using the available light in each room, and a complimentary set of 4×6 photographs from their session (approx. 25). Upon request, images can also be posted to a private online gallery to share with family and friends who are unable to visit. Sessions can take place immediately upon entering the NICU or parents may opt to wait until closer to their dismissal date. Sessions are entirely accommodated to the needs of the individual family. Sessions include individual images of the baby (including any attached wires/monitors, nothing will need to be disconnected), as well as relationship type images with mom and dad (if possible), captured with a more photo journalistic approach.

What is the cost?
There are no fees for our services. The session and set of 4×6 photographs from your session are entirely complimentary. Should you decide to place an additional order, you will receive AT LEAST 25% off your current photographer’s pricing, however you are under NO OBLIGATION to purchase any additional images.

Why Pictures of Hope?
Throughout pregnancy most parents don’t anticipate the possibility of their baby needing to stay in the NICU after birth. Whatever that reason may be, time spent in the NICU is often an unexpected journey for families, a journey full of overwhelming emotions…sadness, confusion, hope, celebration, and unfortunately, at times grief. Throughout this roller coaster of emotions, many parents do not consider the importance of documenting these precious moments in their lives nor do they think about how much they will truly cherish these images years down the road. In some cases, a little extra TLC from the NICU is needed to be sure the little one gets off to the best possible start, for these families on the road to well being, photographs are a wonderful reminder of just how far their little one has come, however, photographs also play a necessary and very important role in the healing process for other families. In the most heart breaking circumstances, photos may be the only tangible keepsakes some parents have of their precious little one. All Pictures of Hope participating photographers are dedicated to providing NICU families with invaluable images you will cherish forever, captured in a sensitive and caring manner.