We recently connected with Emily Crump and have shared our conversation below.
Emily, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
As a photographer in Houston, we have many opportunities to serve our community by giving the gift of our photography. As soon as I started my photography business in 2010 I knew I wanted to find a way to give back using my talents behind the lens. One volunteer organization that truly touched my heart was Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (www.nilmdts.org). This amazing organization offers parents experiencing the loss of a baby the complimentary gift of professional portraiture. Through an intimate portrait session, photographers gift families with delicately retouched black and white heirloom portraits.
And the following is just one of my stories of why I volunteer with NILMDTS.
Stepping out of the hospital elevator as a NILMDTS volunteer photographer I was greeted by an older couple coming down the hall towards me. This couple was visibly, unmistakably heartbroken. They were wheeling a cart containing their new grandchild’s NICU decorations and birth gifts. Many gifts and many little footprint paintings that had adored his NICU “pod” walls. They were taking them home.
I knew right away, this was the family I was coming to see. This family was experiencing something no new parents / grandparents should ever have to experience. I clutched my camera bag tighter, gave an understanding small smile to the grandparents, said a silent prayer, and proceeded to the nurse’s station. From there I was taken to his room. He was a beautiful little boy with bright red hair. His parents were extremely gracious and thankful for my coming. For these would be his first portraits without any life-support tubes or IV lines. They all could see his beautiful face in its entirety.
For the next hour I delicately photographed the family and their precious newborn son. I took photos of his little hands, the swirl in his red hair, all 10 perfect toes, and the way he perfectly fit in this mommy’s arms. It was beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time. These professional photographs would become this family’s most cherished possession. Honoring a tiny life that is forever loved and cherished.
This is a familiar situation for me and all the volunteer photographers of Houston’s Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep organization. The mission of NILMDTS is to provide professional remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby. They train, educate, and mobilize professional photographers to provide beautiful heirloom portraits to families facing the untimely death of an infant.
Remembrance photography is an important step in the healing journey for bereaved parents. Photographs are one of the most precious and tangible mementos parents can have, showing the love and bond that was given and shared with their baby.
Houston NILMDTS is proud to serve hospitals in the Greater Houston area. Parents are encouraged to ask their nursing staff about NILMDTS or visit the NILMDTS website to find a volunteer photographer in their area. Every volunteer is passionate about the work they do and are honored to be able to provide this service for families.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Let me take this opportunity to share with you a little about myself and my passion for photography and serving others through the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep organization.
I am a Texas girl, born and raised in Midland and graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. I love my Jesus, a large Sonic drink, Texas Aggie football, antique shopping, renovating and decorating my home, and spending time with my friends and family.
My passion for photography started after the birth of my second child, and I know it sounds so cliché, but I just loved capturing all those changing moments in my children’s lives. I knew that never again would they be that sleepy, snuggly newborn, that bright-eyed giggling six months old or that stumbling new walker with outstretched arms proudly coming toward me. I wanted it captured and was not going to settle for sub-par photos.
I started practicing photography every chance I got, attending photography workshops, taking classes, reading photography books and really concentrating on honing my skills.
While I was in the first few years of my business I received a call from a close friend of mine. It was August 2010 when my friend, someone that I knew and had been “doing life” with for a few years, needed me. She was pregnant with her second son and had just received the painful news he had gone home to be with Jesus, and she was going to be bringing him into the world today. She knew that I had just started my photography business and asked me to take what would be some of her most treasured photos.
Her son’s name is Jonathan, and I say “is” because he is very much alive in their hearts and minds. At that time, I was a very new photographer. I had not taken many sessions, built up a client base, or done a session like I was about to do. I was terrified that I was not good enough, but I also knew that it wasn’t a coincidence that I was asked.
We all have a part to play in this world, a mission, a purpose, a higher calling, whatever you choose to call it. For me, mine is based on a verse in the Bible…
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
Although I was terrified, I knew I had to take these photos of Jonathan for my friend…it was my calling. Their session was beautiful. I was there to quietly photograph his birth and capture the love that these parents shared for their little one. While I photographed, we remarked on his little fingers and toes, his little ears, and all the ways he resembled his big brother.
When the session was complete, I exited the room, ran down to my car, and cried. Through my tears, I thought about what I did, and I knew if I ever got a call like that again, I would do it.
Over the years I have met and photographed numerous families and their precious little ones. Each little baby is important, loved, remembered, and treasured. Every little one matters. And I am honored to be there and make sure they have the most perfect photos.
Almost 10 years later, I think about my friend and little Jonathan after every baby I photograph. Grateful that I was given that chance to serve her family. I feel the same way about every family I meet through NILMDTS. Some might think that I am giving to them, but really, I see it as the other way around.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I would like to tell you that the application to become a NILMDTS photographer was easy, and I was accepted right away but that was not the case. In fact, my first application was rejected, and I was heartbroken. But I was determined. I used all the photography critiques provided by NILMDTS in my first application to practice and improve my skills. I also focused on learning auxiliary lighting, which is very important to NILMDTS sessions. It took 4 years of practicing and prepping until I was ready to apply again and in 2014, I was accepted as an Affiliate Photographer.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
Our the years, I have kept in touch with numerous families I have had the pleasure of photographing. Together we can celebrate and remember each babies special life and memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emilycrumpphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilycrumpphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-crump-4a505b191/
- Other: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org)
Image Credits
All photos generously shared with written permission by NILMDTS families and affiliate photographer Emily Crump