Getting Started-welcome To The Forum

[Sandy "Sam" Puc']

WELCOME ALL NEW NILMDTS MEMBERS
Dear NILMDTS provider,
I would personally like to welcome you to our growing family. I can assure you that the work you will provide for our families will go beyond any work you have ever done. You are giving the gift of healing, something very few people can do. Just by being here, we know that you have a heart of gold.

I thought I would make your journey a bit easier and give you some references to where you can find important information to help you establish a NILMDTS chapter in your area.
The links listed below will direct you to areas on the forum that have specific training or resource information that we feel you should read before you begin. Please check this area often as I will add more links as important topics are added.

Again, Thank you for becoming a member of this wonderful organization. I am sure you will find that the photographers and parents involved are very special people. Consider this a "Hug" from your new friends.

With warm regards,
Sandy "Sam" Puc'


CUSTOMIZING THE FORUM

setting up your user cp
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=20

how to post a reply
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=15[/url]

That little picture next to your name
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=124

How to post an image in your message
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?p=2343#post2343


PUBLIC RELATIONS-
logo
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?p=506#post506

Press release
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/files/Generic_Press_Release_5_5_2010.pdf (http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=20)

Ordering the brochures
[url]http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?11852-NILMDTS-Brochures

Brochure temporary PDF
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/files/Spanish_Brochure.pdf
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/files/BROCHURE_2008_ENGLISH.pdf

Ordering Business cards
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?3469-Session-Business-Card-Template

FORMS
Here is a link to the Forum Banner (http://www.nowisleep.com/forumbanner.jpg)logo that you can download and use on your website, as letterhead, etc.

Parental Consent form- This is available in English and Spanish
This is the contract that you will need to have signed by the parents. Please give the parents and hospital a copy and keep one for your records.
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/files/Parent%20Consent%20Spanish%2005-2010.pdf
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/files/Parent%20Consent%2005-2010.pdf

Hospital Packet forms
This includes a samples of scriptures, quotes and a parent informational sheet
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=290

WORKING WITH THE CHILD-
Early loss
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?p=486#post486

Handling the baby
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=27

Working with the baby-What to expect
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=26

Session tips
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=26


WORKING WITH THE PARENTS
Working with the parents-What to expect
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=25

UPLOADING IMAGES FOR FAMILIES TO VIEW
Using Collages.net
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?p=14787#post14787

WORKING WITH THE HOSPITAL
questions to ask the hospital
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?p=485#post485

Working with the hospital
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=18


WORKING WITH THE IMAGES
Loading and action in photoshop
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=31

Photoshop magic-to fix or not to fix
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=22

Retouching help
http://www.nowisleep.com/forumdisplay.php?55-Call-on-Me

converting to Black and White
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=28

Copyright free music
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/music/

ProShow Gold Tutorial
http://www.nowisleep.com/Slideshows/proshowtutoria2.htm

EQUIPMENT

Lighting Demo
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=761

Hospital check list
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=490

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Taking care of yourself
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=13


EDUCATION/RESOURCES

UPLOADING IMAGES FOR FAMILIES TO VIEW
Using Collages.net
http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?p=14787#post14787

Training Seminars
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/training_registration/

If you have any questions, please email headquarters@nilmdts.org.

[Kirk Kief]

How do I go about paying the membership fee? How do I change my contact information?
Good question, but easy to do. simply go to http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/account/ Use the email address that we have for you in our database. Now, when you first applied to become a photographer with us, you created a password. Use that password, and remember that passwords are case sensitive. If you do not remember what you used, then try using nilmdts. You might have to reset the password. Once you get logged in, click on the Member Store, then simply look for the Membership Donation area.
As for your contact information, this you do here, as well. Simply click on the 'My Account' link, then scroll down to locate the 'Edit Info' button. Once you are finished, be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button.

[Kirk Kief]

How do I get some brochures?
You can order some from headquarters by logging into your account, then go into the member store. You can order 50 for just $6. If you only need a few, send an email to brochures@nilmdts.org and supply us with your mailing address.
You will need to become a coordinator for your area, or local hospital, if you would like to order larger quantities. There is no charge for the Brochures, Thanks to the generosity of Marathon Press, however, you will need to pay for shipping, etc.
How do i become an Area Coordinator? Look for the Area Coordinator thread in this room.

[Tasha Nicholls]

When do I receive my manual? When do I handle the Parent consent form-does the hospital already have this, or do i have to bring it with me?

You actually have access to the training manual online and can preview it while you're waiting for your hard copy. The hard copy may take 6-12 weeks to receive. Just click on the Training Manual link on this page which is part of the Photographer's section of the main website at http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/documents/
Also, that page has the current consent forms to use. You take these in to the hospital and get them signed at the beginning of the session. I would go in and introduce myself to the family and express my condolences, tell them what a precious baby they have, and give them a summary of why I was there and what I would provide and then go through the consent form with them. Let them know that you need their information so you can mail them their CD of images and have the correct spelling/information for their DVD, etc. It doesn't have to be an awkward thing... they asked you there to provide this service and you need this information from them in able to send them their images.

Hope that helps!

[Denise Clark]

Natalie,

Also to answer your question regarding the parent consent form. This consent form is an agreement between the photographer and the family/parent, so the hospital should not be involved in this consent process. The best way to broach the subject is in your introduction upon entering the patient room...introduce yourself as a photographer with NILMDTS, explain what NILMDTS is..a volunteer organization that provides portraits for families like yours free of charge (even if they say they know because many times the nurses don't fully explain), then explain what the process is and what you are going to do...for example, you will take portraits today of their precious baby _______ and if they would like to be in any of the portraits you can do that, etc, etc. (ask them what they would like in regards to images taken), then explain that before you can begin you must review a consent form with them that gives you permission to take the portraits. Be sure to explain each section that they initial so they have a clear understanding. The last thing you want to do is make sure you can read their handwriting in the contact info because this is how you will mail them their CDs. We have also learned to make sure there isn't an apt number because sometimes that can be left off. I hope that helps, but the training manual will be a huge help for you to have an understanding of the complete process. Good luck.

[Kirk Kief]

In support of Denise's remarks. The Parent Consent form can make a wonderful Ice Breaker for you during this initial phase of our services. This gives you something to talk about, that is not related to the emotions at hand, and helps to actually help you get comfortable with the parents, and visa versa. In these emotionally charged sessions, it becomes rather difficult for you to know what to say. This gives you something to talk about without having to 'Adlib'.

[Kirk Kief]

Why doesn't my name show up on the main website for my area?
Once you are approved, you have a couple steps left before it becomes official, and you are listed on the website. You must sign and submit to us the Volunteer Service Agreement, and you need to take care of the minimal Membership donation. For the Donation, go to our main website, photographers area. Now click on the link to login to your account. Once inside, go to the member store. You'll find the membership donation located in there. If this is a problem for you, simply send us an email at headquarters@nilmdts.org and ask for a waiver. The volunteer agreement Form can be downloaded at http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/documents/
Another question that comes in is "I have a freind that accompanies me on my sessions to work as my assistant. Is this okay?"
This is okay, but, we do need for them to do something for us. They need to go to the website and fill out an application, just like you did, with one difference. They will need to select the 'Assistant to the Photographer' position as the one they are applying for. They also need to list your name as the sponsor photographer. Once approved, and we will email you if this is all okay with you, then they will need to also submit the VSA and the donation(or waiver).
By the way, their name will not show up in the website, and they are not allowed to photograph at a session.

[Kirk Kief]

How do I log my sessions?
Log in to your account
Select Manage Sessions – you must Create a Session first and save it. Once the session is created and saved it will appear in the list on your screen. At that time – select the other button -> upload consent forms. It will prompt you to select the session you created to attach the consent form to it. Then it will prompt you for the file name & allow you to browse your computer to select the file. Select upload and you will be good to go. If you do not have a scanner to convert your consent form into a digital format, simply take the form outside and take a picture of it with your camera. Change the file into a 72DI jpeg. Include this file on the Family's CD with their images, as well. Name the file-copyright release.jpg.

[Kirk Kief]

How do I find my Area Coordinator or find other photographers in my area?
Go to http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/locate_photographer/. using your zip code, do a search. All the names that show up in red are the Area Coordinators. All the names in black are Affiliated Photographers, and those listed in Blue are Digital Retouch Artists.