This is a personal project of mine, a gift from a former NICU mom to you.
It combines my love of photography with my desire to give back to my community, via parents with infants born prematurely or with health problems.
There is no cost associated with these sessions, and I do not profit in any way from them.
(please scroll to the bottom for FAQ)
Wish Upon a Star Sessions.
in Frederick, Maryland
PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTACTING ME
I know how vitally important it is doing sessions in the NICU; to be aware of NICU culture, to understand what the babies are going through, and to have the utmost respect for parents and the crucial staff taking care of your child.
Here are some very important things to know about these sessions - I ask that you please read all the way through.
I am not affiliated with any charity organization, nor any hospital. I arrive at the NICU as a guest of the family, whom by inviting me have thus given me permission to photograph their child. I ask that at least one parent be present alongside me at all times.
These photographs are “lifestyle” sessions. This means life, "as is." Cuddling, feeding, tubes, monitors and wires - nothing shall be excluded (unless requested). Parents are welcome to provide a blanket, hat, or a stuffed animal, but it is not expected. Most hospitals offer the opportunity to purchase newborn photos at your child's discharge (usually via a private vendor), and I suggest taking advantage of that if you are in a place financially to do so. Those are the 'posed portraits' that families love to frame and hang on their walls, and is not something I will be providing during these sessions.
I will not be in physical contact with your child. I may move a hand or foot while they are being held, but positioning them is left entirely to a parent or nurse. This is strictly a liability issue since they are attached to so many crucial cords and monitors - and I am not medically trained to handle any of that. Out of respect, I will also remain as quiet and unobtrusive as possible, and will sit/stand alongside you as you spend time with your child as I document your visit. In addition to photos of your newborn, I will photograph your interactions with your child - a memory you wouldn't normally be able to record yourself with a cellphone.
I will not photograph any medical procedures, and if my visit coincides with one, I will remain outside of the NICU until it is completed and a parent comes to walk me back in. This is not just for hospital liability, but because I don't wish to potentially obstruct any medical care being given.
I am in full compliance of HIPPA laws and patient privacy regulations, and as such, no hospital staff, other children (patients) nor their family members will be photographed during our visit together.
I do not use flash photography in the NICU, to protect both the newborns eyes and not to disturb the healing environment the children are resting in. Therefore, having as much available light as possible is optimal, so I will try to arrange it so we photograph your visit in the morning.
Sessions last no longer than 20-30 minutes; twins may take a little longer. It will take about 2 weeks to receive your images. I will select the best images to edit for you, and those high resolution files will be available via digital download for your personal use. I also include a print release so you are able to print them off at the lab of your choosing.
Parents must sign a model release allowing me to photograph their child and themselves. If given permission by the client, I will share a sneak peak on Facebook within 24 hours, individuals may tag and share the sneak peak photo at their discretion. I may also share the work I do for NICU families here on this page, and in doing so details such as the babies first name, size, and how early they delivered may be written. HOWEVER, family last names, parent's names, and hospital location are NEVER given out.
I am providing these lifestyle sessions both at Frederick Memorial Hospital and Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, MD at this time. If you are in need of my traveling elsewhere (ie, Shady Grove/Carroll/Hershey) please contact me - I can't make any promises I will be available to do so, but in no way is it off the table.
Please, do not wait until the day before your baby is discharged to schedule your session. The more scheduling options to choose from, the better.
Please remember, I am in NO WAY affiliated with these hospitals. I enter as a visitor of the patients family (similar to those who bring in grandparents or pastors ) - not as a hospital vendor.
This is my way of 'paying it forward' and to give thanks God for the blessings he has given me and my family.
Please, know I make every effort to fill requests for NICU sessions however, I can not guarantee I will always be available. I will not be able to visit if myself or a member of my household has been sick within the previous 7 days - and that is for you and your child's protection, since babies in the NICU already have such weakened immune systems.
Contact me - either for yourself or for a friend or relative - as soon as possible at amyloschiavophotography@gmail.com.
New parents eagerly look forward to bringing their baby home, so it can be frightening if your newborn needs to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit or NICU. The things you have looked forward to doing after labor and delivery may no longer be an option, and you may feel like you've been robbed of some of the 'happier' moments you expected.
I never did get to experience my son at my bedside following delivery - I didn't even see him until 6 hours after he was born. I did not get to hold him and have that immediate skin-to-skin contact the experts say is crucial for a mother and child's bond. My husband did not get to cut the umbilical cord, and our families could not visit, take photos, and celebrate our joyous occasion that most people think of when they go into the hospital to give birth.
I know what it is like to be in your shoes, I've struggled with some of those same emotions.
I spent days bouncing back and forth from the maternity ward to the NICU, and then later from our house to the hospital. I couldn't sleep knowing my little son was all alone: was he scared, was he sleeping, crying, was he taking a turn for the worse overnight? Although he was in good hands professionally, he wasn't in his mommy's hands.
Every day when we had to leave him behind in his bassinet to head home, my heart broke in ways I didn't think were possible.
I wasn't just scared, I was terrified. I was afraid to hold him and I had a fear that I wasn't able to do anything right. I trusted the nurses and staff wholeheartedly, but I still felt inadequate because I (irrationally) thought I could have done something, anything, to keep him from being in there.
In short, I was a mess. I'm sure you might feel like you are a mess right now, too.
I was a photographer, but I was so overwhelmed by the situation that my camera only came out once during the weeks he stayed there - those are the few photographs you see displayed here on this page. For such an amazing time in my sons life, there is so little documentation. Scarce evidence of his courage and strength, to show him fighting and beating the odds set out against him.
Not all stories end the same and everyone's NICU experience is unique. No matter the situation, I want to be there and capture the moments you and your family will hold dear to your hearts.
