Lancaster photographers Krisha Martzall (left) and Diane Giles, part of a worldwide network of volunte
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Photographer Krisha Martzall captures the final hours of the Lancaster Fisher family's daughter.
Photographer Krisha Martzall captures the final hours of the Lancaster Fisher family's daughter.
In these sensitive images, the Cotés spend precious final hours with their newborn.
In these sensitive images, the Cotés spend precious final hours with their newborn.
In these sensitive images, the Cotés spend precious final hours with their newborn.
The Fisher family wanted to freeze-frame the image of the newborn baby girl they knew they would never get to see grow up.
As Lancaster photographer Krisha Martzall documented moments in one of the final days of the infant's life, Mom and Dad hugged their daughter close, gently tugging her tiny toes and curled fists, and stroking her plump cheeks.
Their baby lived for only a week.
Thanks to Martzall, the Lancaster parents, who prefer to publicize only their last name, now have a thoughtful and tangible memory of their daughter.
Through Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a 3-year-old 6,000-member worldwide volunteer network of professional photographers providing free infant bereavement photography, family members can see their baby's face — even after he or she is gone.
Martzall, owner of KLM Photography, is one of four volunteers in central Pennsylvania, and along with Diane Giles, of Di Photography, Lancaster, one of two in the county.
Photographers with the Colorado-based NILMDTS chronicle beginnings and endings. In some cases, parents learn the baby has only a few hours or days to live. In other situations, the baby is stillborn. The infant — the NILMDTS minimum age is 27 weeks — may be photographed with or without parents and with mementos, such as a small hat or ID bracelet.
In addition to taking photos, many photographers make slide shows for families.
The Fishers were very appreciative of the chance to record pieces of their daughter's brief life, says Martzall, who photographed her the day after her birth.
On Monday, June 23, a recruitment meeting for regional photographers interested in joining the NILMDTS network will be held at KLM Photography studio, located in Central Market Mall.
Before Giles got involved in NILMDTS, she took pictures for a friend who learned her baby was terminally ill. The feedback about the photos was so favorable, she knew she wanted to pursue similar photography.
"I think as time goes on, (people) realize they want to hold on to the moment."
***
Maddux Achilles Haggard was born Feb. 4, 2005, with a condition that prevented him from breathing, swallowing or moving on his own.
On the sixth day of his life, his Denver, Colo., parents had to make the heart-wrenching decision to take him off life support.
But before that final step, they called Littleton, Colo., photographer Sandy Puch to take black-and-white portraits of them cradling their son. Puch photographed the couple with Maddux at the hospital, before and after he was removed from life support.
The photographs inspired Maddux's mom, Cheryl, and Puch to found the nonprofit NILMDTS. Since 2005, the organization has worked with thousands of families to provide professional portraits with their babies.
Many of the NILMDTS photographers have walked in the shoes of these family members, says Kirk Kief, a Florida photographer, administrator of the NILMDTS Web site discussion forum (www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org) and organization trainer.
In fact, he says, his wife suffered an early-term miscarriage.
He's working to build awareness of NILMDTS by contacting hospitals and other organizations — through the Internet and word-of-mouth from families and photographers.
As soon as Martzall learned about NILMDTS online, she wanted to get involved.
"It's a way to give back," she says. "I have a talent, a gift and a responsibility to share it.
"What better way to do that?"
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For families who lose a newborn, what should be a celebration turns into a realization of lost expectations.
But through NILMDTS, families can still celebrate what was — if only for a moment.
Photo shoots can be emotional for family members, and sometimes even for the photographer.
There may be conflict in some families about whether to take the photos.
Both Martzall and Giles have been asked by families with a Plain background to photograph only the baby.
"This is a touchy thing, but I think although some parents may be hesitant at first, once they see the images, they can see these are for them, a gift for them," says Giles, who studied under Puch.
"It definitely isn't the easiest for photographers — especially when everybody in the room is crying, even the (hospital staff) — but when you see what this gives to the family ... that keeps me going."
Kris McElligott, owner of KM Photography, York, and NILMDTS area coordinator, agrees.
"I've found it so rewarding to the family that it surpasses my personal feelings."
Her interest is especially personal. Her mother lost a baby at 5 months old.
"A lot of photographers question whether they can do this — and not all can," Kief says. "But I find when you get into it, you are a professional, and you kind of break yourself from the emotional part.
"You aren't there for yourself. You are there for the families."
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP
Four central Pennsylvania volunteer photographers take pictures for NILMDTS, a worldwide nonprofit organization that provides free infant bereavement photography.
• Kris McElligott, area coordinator, KM Photography, York. 848-1920 or
kris@kmphotographystudio.com• Krisha Martzall, KLM Photography, Central Market Mall, Lancaster. 808-5503,
krisha@klmartzall.com or
www.krishamartzall.com• Diane Giles, Di Photography, 1046 Hartman Station Road, Lancaster. 656-8719,
diphoto@comcast.net or
www.diphotography.net• Janet Fulcher, Fawn Grove.
photojif@aol.com or 382-1965
For more information on NILMDTS, go to
www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
WHAT: Volunteer recruitment meeting for the nationwide photography network for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep infant bereavement photography
WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday, June 23
WHERE: KLM Studio, Suite 1002, Central Market Mall, 45 N. Market St., Lancaster
CONTACT: Krisha Martzall, 808-5503 or
krisha@klmartzall.com; Diane Giles, 656-8719 or
diphoto@comcast.net
CONTACT THE NEW ERA: sjurgelski@LNPnews.com or 291-8756
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