Photography Goal

On February 28, 2009, I watched an episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and first heard of the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Network.  It is a network of professional photographers that volunteer their services to families that do not get to bring their new babies home from the hospital.  The photographer goes to the NICU and captures precious moments during critical times and donates a CD of pictures to the family.  One mother expressed her experience with this gift, saying that sometimes she forgets what her baby girl was like and almost can't remember that she got to hold her, but she has those moments in pictures and can look at them and love her baby again.  I was so touched by this concept that I blogged about it the following day and noted that some day I would like to be one of those photographers.  Having never personally gone through the experience of having my baby in the NICU or have a severe medical condition, I am not sure I can be fully accepted into the lives of strangers at such a personal time, but I hope to be sensitive to the grief and help bring hope to their lives.  I remember as a teenager babysitting for a family who had lost a child to SIDS.  His beautiful baby portraits adorned their walls as a powerful shrine to his short life.  They will always treasure those pictures and being able to see his face again.  I cannot imagine the heartache and sorrow that must accompany the news that your baby has not or will not make it home with you.  But as a photographer, some day I might be able to offer a precious gift of memory.

On the NILMDTS website, there is a list of what they look for when screening photographers to be volunteers for the organization.  Because of the nature of the sessions, they need the best skills.  Simply reading that professional photographers need to prove their skills makes me realize the work I need to put into my photography and building my portfolio and website and experience if I ever wish to make this a reality.  I want to include the list here as a means of keeping track of what I wish to accomplish with photography over the years:


"Here is what our Membership Application Committee uses for their scoring:

Proper use of Studio Lighting (0-10)
Proper use of On Camera Flash (0-10)
Proper use of Available Light (0-10)
Posing (0-10)
Attention to detail (0-10)
Expression (0-10)
Prop usage (0-10)
Creativity (0-10)
Skill level (0-10)
Website Appearance (0-10)
Score Total 0-100 (Minimum of 40 for approval)

While this is a volunteer organization and we do appreciate your heart to serve these families, we must operate within our standards as we only get one opportunity to capture memories for the families we serve."


There are other volunteers skilled in digital retouching that help with the post production as far as removing bruising, taking out tubes, etc. 

Scoring a 40 out of the 10 categories seem simple (it's a failing percentage!) but with photography, it really sets the bar high.  And it gives me something big to aim for.

Now I know for sure where I want to head with my photography.  I want to document my girls' lives in picture and learn the ins and outs of the NILMDTS network so that one day I can make a big difference in someone's life.