Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Clifton.
Hi Tracey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I got a degree in photography in 1995 from the Art Institute of Dallas. I was never able to build a photography business because I could never charge people for my services. You see, while yes, I had a degree in photography, my skill and talent was also a gift. So, in 2000 I became a Licensed Texas Realtor. I was still photographing for friends, family, and clients, and many offered to pay; I just could not charge. This gift was given to me, and what I wanted to do with it was gift it to others.
Early in 2007, a friend of mine brought me an image of her 1st grandchild. This image was of a newborn baby in a casket. She asked me if there was anything I could do to make the photo look better. So, I did my best with what Photoshop had to offer, and oddly enough, I turned it black and white in the process of editing. In mid-late 2008 that same friend, who did have 1 living grandchild by then, showed me the most beautiful images of her third grandbaby, who had also passed away. I asked who took the photos. She said it was a volunteer organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. I was amazed. The images were gorgeous. It was a beautiful newborn session with images of family members holding a sweet newborn baby. I went home and looked up the organization, and God said, “You do that!” So I said, “Okay.”
I spent the next two years building a studio. I found every pregnant friend I could find, and asked to take pictures of their newborns in the hospital right after birth; 12 agreed. After I was approved, I had no idea what to do except to wait for a call. And the call came from a grandfather who asked if I would come take images of his granddaughter. I agreed, and she was born early the next morning. When I got to the hospital and finished with her, a nurse came and told me a baby had been delivered overnight and asked if I could photograph him since I was there. I agreed, and she assisted me. While we were photographing him a third baby was born and lived only minutes. So, as I was packing up from the second little guy, I was headed now to the third angel of the day. Three in one day, on my first day!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As far as serving families go, yes, that has been a smooth road. The biggest challenge is finding volunteers. We serve many hospitals in the DFW metroplex, which is 100 miles east to west. Our team only has about 15 volunteer photographers, and several volunteer dispatchers and assistants to photographers, to serve all the families who need photos. Since COVID, we have been unable to visit hospitals for training. I am just now getting scheduled again to get back into hospitals and re-train staff in the best way to request a volunteer, as well as how to help the family if we do not have a volunteer available. But for sure, getting photographers to volunteer and then to actually take calls is our biggest obstacle or challenge.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep offers remembrance photography to families experiencing the loss of a newborn. Since 2005, NILMDTS has gifted over 70,000 photo sessions to families across the world. We have a group of talented volunteer photographers, both professional and hobbyists, who for one reason or another feel the call to serve in this way. I don’t think anyone ever thinks of photographing a newborn that has passed away as their ideal volunteer opportunity, but we do. NILMDTS trains volunteer photographers, dispatchers, and non-photographer volunteers to be the very best at our craft. There is ongoing continued education in the fields of photography, digital retouching, leadership training, and the like.
I am most proud of the fact that I am given the opportunity–no, the honor – of sharing each one of these sweet angels with their families. I am often the first or last person (besides family) who gets to love on these babies and make beautiful images that will represent this little one in their family’s home, lives, and hearts. I once asked my youngest daughter, who was twelve at the time, how she felt about NILMDTS. She said, “Mom, I now understand the joy that comes from giving someone something so valuable, even when it costs me a little of my comfort zone. They will keep these pictures forever, and these pictures are as important to them as their children or partners.”
I don’t know of another organization who gives a gift that would cost approximately $2000 using volunteers. We use our own equipment, pay for tolls and parking. We go out in storms, ice, snow. And we are not done when the session is over, we come back, and most of us process and deliver our own images. So, we do it all over again in the image processing as well. We are elite, professional, compassionate volunteers who offer a very rare service, and we give it freely as a gift to those who are grieving.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I have learned to live for my created purpose. For now, this is where God has me, and I was created to serve in this way. It may not always be so, but I will do it as faithfully as I can until He says to do something else. I am a realtor, that is my job, and I love it. But when you are doing what you are created to do, there is a peace and a joy in your life that I am not even sure I can put into words.
If you are in need of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep’s services, or if you are interested in volunteering, please visit www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org
- Instagram: @nowilaymedowntosleep
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nilmdts
Image Credits
Watson Kohankie Photographer
Southern Exposure Photography
