Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS)

Well, for several months now we've been involved with an organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS). Let me give you a quick background of the organization. It was founded by a woman named Cheryl Haggard whose child passed away right after his birth. Cheryl wanted to have portraits of her baby that would go with the portraits of her other children. She didn't want pictures of the baby with tubes and life support getting in the way. She wanted something that could be cherished, a real portrait. She called a photographer in her area who'd never done a job like this before. The photographer accepted the job and made beautiful portraits of the baby (who had just passed away).

After this experience, Cheryl teamed up with her photographer and started what is now known as NILMDTS. The organization provides support and training for photographers and the parents of children who pass away quickly after birth. As a NILMDTS photographer we have the privilege of providing portraits for families that have this need free of charge.

Check out the NILMDTS website here

Cheryl, her family, and her friends were moved to tears by the portraits of her son. I've heard her say that the portrait helps her other children remember him as their brother, not just a baby that they never met.

I was recently invited by KNPR Radio to do an interview with Cheryl and another local photographer that provides this service. You can listen to the interview below.

We're grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in whatever ways that we can. Having a death in the family is never an easy experience and we like to help where we can.

We're looking for organizations in Las Vegas that have a need for any type of Photography. We'd like to offer the services free of charge. If there isn't an organization for the cause that you're thinking of and you'd like to partner up on it just let us know.

With Your Image In Mind,

Dustin Olenslager
Photography By Van
(702) 646-4441
www.PhotographyByVan.com

the runnin soccer lovin' tennis player

This is a senior I photographed this morning. I couldn't ask for a more easy going session. Before I knew it, we were all done and my day was half over. The time flew by extremely fast.
Anyway, here are two of my favorites from the session.