Published: September 02, 2009 08:13 pm      

Worth a 1,000 words: New Albany resident attempting to grow bereavement photography group locally

Perhaps nothing is more tragic than the death of a newborn.

In an effort to help grieving parents cope from such heartbreak, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation was formed in 2005 as a nonprofit organization focusing on bereavement photography.

The group utilizes more than 7,000 volunteer photographers who, at the request of the family, conduct a “sensitive and private portrait session” at the hospital where the parents are mourning, according to

the Web site www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.

In New Albany, a local woman is trying to rally the talents of other photographers for the cause.

“Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep photographers typically come to the hospital shortly before or after the child has passed away and take pictures of the baby with their family, we then edit the images and burn them to a CD and mail it to the family, all free of charge,” said Courtney Paris, whose two children spent time in a neonatal intensive care unit struggling for their lives.

They eventually recovered and Paris was able to take them home, but she can’t help but think of the parents who never got that opportunity.

Photographers aren’t all that’s needed, Paris explained. Designers and photo editors are required to touch up some of the images. The organization is also looking for monetary donations and help spreading the word.

“The challenge in the Louisville/Southern Indiana area is awareness. Of course when most people hear of this it sounds pretty morbid to them and they don’t want to think about it any more.”

Which means grieving parents in many instances don’t realize the service is available. Paris has attempted spreading the word through various social networking sites, but there are still only five approved photographers in the immediate area.

She feels the work, though perceived as strange by some, is an important cause.

“For a long time when parents lost a baby before, during or shortly after birth, they were told to basically forget the child ever existed and move on,” Paris said.

“For most, this meant no images of their child, ever. More recently professionals began to realize this was ridiculous. You had a child and you should remember and love them.”

To participate or for more information, e-mail Paris at courtney.paris@gmail.com, or visit www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.