This is the most bizarre and disturbing use of portrait photography I have ever seen and apparently I’m the last to hear about it. An organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) maintains a list of photographers who offer Infant Bereavement Photography. They have a complete collection of softly lit and sentimental treatments of babies who died during birth, shortly after, or even BEFORE being born.
In no way would I make light of the loss of a child, but I don’t see the purpose of this kind of portrait. The images might have a different effect on the mothers, but I found them morbid and ultimately repulsive.
Out of respect for the mothers (and copyright) I’m not going to post any of them here, but I am sharing the link:
I am really interested in reading what any of you might think about this.
One Comment
I’ve heard of this group and have seen some of their work. The group is all volunteers and the photos are given to the parents free of charge. They are beautifully done, and very touching.
The service is offered to the parents and it’s their choice to use it of not. They come ONLY at the parents request.
Being a mother, though I’ve never lost a child I can understand a parent wanting photos.
Instead of the family taking them themselves, what’s wrong with having a professional come in and do what they do best.
These photos are a way to help the family with their grief and a memorial to their precious child. It’s proof that they can hold in their hands that their child did exist no matter how briefly.