Bereavement Photography After Infant Loss | Pensacola Photographers
Losing the baby you’ve been anxiously awaiting is a heart-wrenching experience, one that leaves a profound void in a family’s life. In the face of such overwhelming grief, it might be difficult to consider anything beyond the immediate sorrow. Particularly, having a stranger come into your space to take pictures when you are looking and feeling as far as possible from your best. You might not even be aware bereavement photography exists until you are too overwhelmed to process the idea of it. However, it is truly worth exploring this precious opportunity to honor and remember your baby
Let’s walk through why you might choose professional photographs after an infant loss, how to find a skilled bereavement photographer, and what to expect during the session. But first, a huge thank you to Audrey & Tim for calling me to help preserve their memories of Enzo and allowing me to share him with the world.
The Importance of Professional Photographs After Infant Loss
The pain of losing a child is immeasurable, and memories of your baby, no matter how brief, are invaluable. Professional photographs can provide a tangible, lasting memory of your baby during their short time with you. These images can become a cherished part of your healing process, offering a way to remember and celebrate your baby’s life.
Bereavement photography is more than just taking pictures; it’s about capturing the few precious moments you get to spend with your baby in a respectful, compassionate manner. The images can be a source of comfort, helping to validate and honor the bond you shared. They also provide a meaningful way to share your baby's story with others who may not have had the chance to meet them.
Contacting a Bereavement Photographer in Your Area
Finding the a bereavement photographer may require some research. It is often possible to find someone who offers this kind of session as an act of community service at no charge to the family. Though it is important to note that you are likely reaching out to a small business owner who is juggling commitments to clients and their own family and may not be able to commit to volunteering at the time you may need.
Your Hospital: Start by asking hospital staff. They often have connections with photographers who specialize in bereavement and can provide referrals. Hospitals with a NICU or High Risk Maternal-Fetal Medicine group will often have a palliative care coordinator who can connect you with a photographer in the event you have advance notice of a condition not compatible with life.
Online Research: Search online for bereavement or infant loss photographers in your area. Often, photographers who specialize in birth photography have an especially tender heart for bereaved mothers and regularly volunteer bereavement services. Websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Google can help you find professionals who has experience in this sensitive field.
Professional Associations: Look for photographers who are members of professional organizations such as the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) or the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP). These organizations often have directories of photographers with specific expertise.
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep: NILMDTS is a well known bereavement photography organization that can connect you to a volunteer photographer in your area. Your hospital may automatically offer you this option. However, when volunteering as part of this organization, photographers are restricted by the organizations guidelines and standard gift of service. These rules are in place to protect volunteers from compassion fatigue and to ensure that all families are receiving consistent service. A key thing to note is that you will only receive images in black and white or sepia tone. If you are unable to find an available photographer, NILMDTS also offers free retouching services that parents and hospital staff can upload to directly.
Tips for Preparing for a Session After Infant Loss
Preparing for a bereavement photography session involves both practical and emotional considerations:
Know Your Options: Hospitals are usually well equipped and happy to help you make the most of your opportunity to have these memories of your baby. The first thing you should do is ask if there is a Cuddle Cot available. This is a special bassinet designed to keep your baby cool and delay the onset of decomposition. This can make all the difference in how your baby looks in photos, especially if your photographer can’t get there until the next day. I also recommend asking for a nurse to help with your session. Your baby will be fragile and it helps a lot to have a skilled pair of hands to help maneuver them.
Communicate Your Needs: Discuss your vision and any specific requests with the photographer beforehand. Whether you want to include personal items or have particular poses in mind, clear communication will help ensure the session meets your expectations.
Prepare Special Items: If there are items that hold significance, such as a blanket or outfit made or purchased for the baby, name and birth stats sign, or a family heirloom, bring them to the hospital. These items can add personal touches to the photographs. Some hospitals also have an angel baby closet full of clothing and other keepsake items you can choose from.
Allow Time for Emotional Preparation: It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, so give yourself permission to take breaks and address your emotions during the session. Your photographer will understand and support you through this process.
Plan To Participate: I know, this is an unimaginably difficult moment and you probably feel like the last thing you want right now if photos of yourself. You don’t have to. Your photographer can absolutely do the entire session in a separate space with just the baby if that is your preference. But I would urge you to push thru and participate anyway. At some point in the future, you will be so thankful to have a few pictures of yourself holding the son or daughter you didn’t get to keep.
What to Expect During the Session
Understanding what to expect during the bereavement photography session can help ease some of the anxiety:
When & How Long: The timing of your session will depend upon your photographer’s prior commitments and availability. It is important to reach out to a photographer ASAP as most of us need a day’s notice to find time in our schedule to volunteer. When it comes to the actual session, these are usually fairly brief. The photographer will be patient and flexible, understanding that this is a delicate time.
Gentle Guidance: An experienced photographer will approach the session with the utmost sensitivity and respect. We will work at your pace and follow your lead, ensuring that you feel supported throughout. We will probably cry with you and tell you how beautiful your sweet baby is. We will gently guide you on how to pose or interact with your baby. The goal is to capture meaningful images while respecting your grieving process. Generally, we try to document all of your baby’s little details and with any keepsakes you’ve prepared.
All Emotions Are Welcome: You are free to feel whatever you are feeling. It is ok to cry. It is ok to be in awe over your baby’s tiny beautiful features. It is ok to be at peace, find tiny moments of joy and even to smile.
After the Session: Once the session is complete, you will receive a selection of edited photographs. Most photographers deliver images in a private gallery for you to download from and share. Many photographers also offer options for creating keepsake albums or memory boxes.
Bereavement photography after infant loss is a deeply personal choice that can offer solace and a meaningful way to remember your baby. If you are on the fence about doing this after a loss or are just struggling to process and make decisions, I would urge you to that this opportunity to create a beautiful tribute to your child’s short but significant life. You might never want to look at them, and that is ok. But months or even years down the road, you might just be thankful that you did.
How to Thank Your Volunteer Photographer
First, let me say that we never expect anything from you. The vast majority of bereavement photographers are mothers who empathize with you so deeply that we cannot help but want to offer what we would want someone to do for us. We know in our hearts that you are grateful and cherish the images we’ve created for you, even if you are too consumed with grief to express that in the moment. But if after your session you are wondering how you can express your gratitude, the following small tokens of appreciation will mean the world to us.
Leave A Review: Few things are more precious to a photographer than a lovely Google review. Not only does it feel amazing, but the social proof helps us book more clients and bring in revenue to sustain our businesses.
Tag Us on Social Media: If you choose to share your images, taking a moment credit us in the caption with a tag and/or thank us for the picture is guaranteed to give us heart eyes.
Refer Us: Odds are, your volunteer photographer runs a whole photography business. Referring us when you hear someone is looking for a photographer or hiring us yourself the next time you a photographer, lets us know how much we are valued.
Say Thank You: It doesn’t matter if it’s been years. There have been several times I’ve received an unexpected ‘Thank You’ email from parents months or years after I’ve delivered the images. No matter when it comes, a simple thank you is appreciated every time. But most importantly, hearing that we made a difference goes a long way toward combatting compassion fatigue so that I can keep blessing other families.