Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Pregnancy and birth are miraculous journeys. This amazing time of life is full of mystery, anticipation, joy, hope, and wonder. Feeling the powerful energy of birth and new life, watching as a new family is born unto each other. These things humble and amaze. These are the things that we celebrate when a baby is born.

But there is another aspect of pregnancy and birth. Imagine an unexpected place in this journey where a family may find itself. Imagine the tragedy that comes when a baby dies - a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for a family to know what they might need in order to heal in the future.

This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives. The NILMDTS mission statement is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with the gift of professional portraiture. They believe these images serve as an important step in the family's healing process by honoring their child's legacy.

The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of more than 7,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and 25 countries. At a family's request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session. The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby.

Their entire network of affiliated photographers graciously donate their time and talents to families and NILMDTS is proud to be able to offer their services at no cost. Photos by Clay-n-Ali is proud to support this wonderful organization and beginning Jan 1st, 2010, a portion of every portrait session and wedding collection is donated to this wonderful organization with member photographers in the Cincinnati area.

We have grown to love this organization because we lost a child of our own. We understand first hand the importance of having those photographs to help us remember him. To learn more about this organization, visit their site at: ...www.nilmdts.org

Photos by Clay-n-Ali also provides free photography services for two other groups of families in need. First, to families with children who have been diagnosed with termminal illnesses, we are happy to offer a totally free portrait session. Secondly, to families who have lost a child under the age of 23, we offer free and sensitive photography coverage of funeral services. In both of these situations, families receive all of the photographs on a CD or DVD that can be used for printing.

Coalition For The Homeless

There are many reasons why people end up on the streets. Sometimes it is through bad personal choices. Sometimes due to the actions of others. Regardless of the circumstances, it is nice that there are those who reach out and do something for the disadvantaged once in awhile.

The Columbus Coalition For the Homeless is one such organization. Each year on Mother's Day, this group gathers a few photographers together in the downtown Columbus area for a free portrait session for moms who find themselves in bad circumstances. Sometimes it is just mom herself, sometimes she has a couple of her family members with her. But every year 100+ moms get to leave with a new portrait. Photos by Clay-n-Ali will once again be a part of this special Mother's Day treat. This marks our 4th year of participation.