early morning call to duty

[Jeff Andrews]

Hi,

In the wee hours of Nov.16, 06, I was called to record the fleeting moments with mother, father, and still born son Gregory Ian Bouwman at 27weeks gestation.

I knew it was coming, but the 24 hours notice did nothing to ease the anxiety I felt about photographing my first bereavement session with NILMDTS.My time at the hospital was about one half hour - spent in total silence, just being a fly on the wall, and getting caught up in the emotional drain of the moment. I was'nt myself for the rest of the day.

With the grace of Katherine and Russell Bouwman, the baby's parents, I pass along some of the captured moments of my breif time with Gregory Ian.

Jeff Andrews

[Melinda Butler]

Jeff~ the first one in dad's hands is GORGEOUS!! Excellent job- the parents will treasure the gift you have given them...

peace~

[Rayna']

wow....i don't know what to say. You did a beautiful job. There are no words for the first photo...it is priceless. The second photo really tears at your heart!

[Kirk Kief]

Jeff! I'm so proud that you are among us. Wonderful work! Absolutely wonderful!
This family, while in the throes of a horrible emotional thunderstorm, at least had a small flicker of sunshine when you answered the call, and created images as you have.

[Sandy "Sam" Puc']

Just stunning...
Welcome to the forum! We are so glad to have you here.
Peace-
Sam

[Martin Comiskey]

Jeff,
Absolutely Beautiful. These images will be treasured forever by the parents. The second one with mom holding the baby to her and dad holding mom, just took my breath away. Totally awesome!
Martin

[Kathi Buss]

Stunning work Jeff, really! You will surely be a blessing to this family when they see these images! Care to share your technique, especially on the first photo? It is amazing!

[Heather Lombardo]

Jeff,

Quite lovely!! What an interesting technique! Wonderful job and welcome to the forum!

[Andrea Hillis]

Beautiful! Stunning conversions.

A.

[Dave Cisco]

Exceptional work, Jeff.:)

[Rayna']

I'm looking at your photos again & wow! Those first two photos really get to me!!

[Heather Loehr]

So stunning. Bless you for giving this to that family.

[Charlene Lopez]

I was speechless for a moment. Those photo's capture the essence of what these parents are going through. I felt same the pang in my heart for these parents as I did when I held Daniel in his final moments. They will be treasured memories forever for this family.

[Jeff Andrews]

You are a very warm hearted community.

Never in my photography career have I been so fulfilled with a true sense of purpose, as I have by offering this gift of my services. No amount of money or recognition would ever equate to the feeling I got when I saw the tears run down the face of the parents of this child during their private slideshow viewing.

God bless this worthwhile cause, and it's founders.

I look forward to my next call to duty.

Jeff

[Loy A. Payne]

I love your work. Truly beautiful and touching.

Loy

[heather kallhoff]

beautiful...absolutely beautiful!

h

[Karen Rubin]

Jeff

Wonderful work, tender, sad, emotional ... I don't know how to describe my feelings looking at your images. Your a good man.

[Sandy Viola]

Beautiful lighting, what did you use? Exceptional job for the 1st time!

[Jeff Andrews]

Hi Sandy,

I described the lighting set-up in my last post which is very similar to the first session I did back in November, 2006. The title of the latest thread is "Gone too soon" Which was originally in the photographer's classroom, but copied here for you to check out. http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=3442

take care,

Jeff

[DanaAnn]

Gave me the goose bumps....What an amazing gift we can give...Awesome work! Dana

[Aly Elliott]

Stunning. Images to be treasured.

[cgooge]

+100000

[Terri Shaver]

jeff~
the first shot with the Dad's hands is amazing...the rest great too, but that one does something to me..

Good work, glad to have you aboard.

Terri Shaver
Mid-Michigan Coordinator

[Andrea A]

Such beautiful photos! You have given them the treasure of a lifetime! Bless you, Jeff!

[Rubinkar]

beautiful

[Lisa Kammel]

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!! I love them all especially the one of him in his father's hands. Look at all that hair the little guy has!!!

[motherofthree]

Amazing work. You will be in the hearts and prayers of this family forever. No words can express the profound impact you photographers have had, and continue to have, on the lives of the families you photograph in these sessions. Wonderful job, Jeff. Priceless images. Thank you on behalf of all of us parents.

[Lisa Kammel]

Jeff, What kind of lighting did you use for the dramatic effect or was that digitally done later. Just wonderful!!!!

[KEA's Mom]

I haven't seen these before. They are wonderful.