a mother’s love…pictures of hope

Eydie Nelson on February 13, 2012

on this valentine’s day i am going to share a story of a mother’s love.  one i experienced three months ago.  it has taken me this long to be able to write about my time with wyatt and his beautiful family.  the olig family has not been far from my mind since i met them.  i arrived at the hospital that tuesday morning in november to photograph baby wyatt who was born prematurely 8 months prior to our meeting.  this was a meeting that had been rescheduled a few times due to wyatt’s health.  i heard from wyatt’s mom a couple days prior and she let me know that wyatt’s health was deteriorating.  when i arrived that tuesday morning i was greeted by wyatt’s mom.  she gratefully hugged me and i felt an instant connection with her.  she told me that she had wished i was there on better circumstances and then explained that hospice had been called…they needed to let baby wyatt go to heaven.  my heart pounded rapidly and i held back the tears that were wanting to fall steadily from my eyes.  i held wyatt’s mom tightly and again felt so connected to her.  i still think about this moment a lot.  this was a stranger to me, yet i felt so close to her.  i think it was because i am a mom also and i felt as if i could feel her pain in my heart.    i mean,  i could never in a million years even begin to understand the pain she and her husband were surrounded with, but a mother’s love for her child…this i could understand.  and, for that reason alone, i felt a sadness that did not leave me for weeks.  wyatt’s parents were strong…it was a strength that could only be given by God.  we spent a half hour photographing perfect little wyatt..mostly with his mommy.  it was beautiful…truly the most beautiful thing i have ever photographed.  there is so much emotion involved with my job…i know this.  i photograph the love parents feel for their children all the time and it is so lovely.  this is what i love most about my job.  but, the love i saw in the hospital room that day was a love that i could never even begin to explain.  as i sat inches away from baby wyatt clicking my camera, i could no longer control my tears.  i tried, but it was no longer possible for me to do so.  my experience that day with the olig family was the most humbling of my career.  i feel grateful that i was able to meet baby wyatt…he blessed me and so many others.  wyatt went to heaven the following day where he is being held in the palm of God’s hand.

Wyatt’s mom is taking part in the March for Babies this year…she will be walking in the honor of her angel Wyatt (aka Super Wy) near the anniversary of his birthday, which was 4-10/2011.
Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. She is walking in effort do something about this and prevent sad losses like Wyatt.
The money her team raises  will support March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care.
Please join the fight in honor of Super Wy!
Thank you for helping me give all babies a healthy start!
Visit Wyatt’s team Web page at
http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1772329

If you would like to learn more about March for Babies,
visit the Web site at marchforbabies.org.

shutter mission and pictures of hope…

Eydie Nelson on August 5, 2010

ShutterMission…a website highlighting portrait charities and supporting photographers who give their time, talent and heart. this is their mission and it is wonderful…they are sharing amazing stories and i am honored they chose to highlight my story of beautiful shelby on their website. http://www.shuttermission.org/org/pictures-of-hope/eydie-nelson-photography/

portrait charities have brought comfort, peace, and joy to countless lives around the world, and yet, there are many deserving families and inviduals who aren’t aware these unique services exist. ShutterMission’s goal is simple ~ to spread the word about these amazing organizations and the photographers who serve them.  in doing so, they hope to inspire others to give back to their communities.

please take a peek at the ShutterMission website…it is a fabulous site to bookmark. http://www.shuttermission.org/

and, an update on sweet shelby…she is doing really well.  she is still at children’s hospital in minneapolis, but getting ever so close to going home.  i am so thrilled at the idea of her family being able to take her home for good…what a journey this has been for all of them and home sweet home will be a gift like no other to shelby’s family.

pictures of hope and perfect sweetness…

Eydie Nelson on July 16, 2010

the story of shelby is beautiful…it began in montana where shelby’s parents were living before shelby was born.  shelby’s mom had experienced a tough pregnancy up to this point and at 22 weeks, with the guidance of her doctor, she was advised that she needed to be closer to a hospital that could handle a premature baby.  she traveled to sioux falls, south dakota where her mom and dad were residing.  shelby decided to come into the world on april 13th. she was 23 weeks and only one pound.  on june 1st, shelby’s doctors decided shelby needed to be transported to minneapolis to have heart surgery. it is here in minnesota where little shelby will stay for awhile.  her daddy has since found a job here so their family could all be together.  she has been a very strong little angel over the last 3 months and is now 37 weeks. taking photos for this little sweetness was the most rewarding session i have had in my photography career.  shelby has already endured so much in her little life.  and, her mom and dad…are an inspiration to everyone who knows them.  the strength it must take…and, the sacrifices they have made.  God must have known they could endure it all because they are doing the most wonderful job. it was a joy for me to meet shelby’s mommy…her family’s story has touched me forever.  i have been keeping up on shelby’s journey and this particular journal excerpt by shelby’s mommy moved me so much…here is a little bit of it.

i am just sitting next to my baby while she is sleeping…i love to just watch her and tell her how much we love her and that mommy is here and will do whatever it takes to make her feel better.  when i have her in my arms i finally feel at peace.  it gets to be a time when we both get to heal together… by suzanne ullom

as parents, we can feel the love in this reading, but it takes on a whole new meaning.  as i am typing, tears were going pitter patter on my keyboard.  and, as you see the photos below you will be moved by emotion as you see this perfect little baby girl who is growing stronger and stronger by the day.

dear God, may you continue to watch over and protect sweet baby shelby…amen.

i also had to share the most wonderful story of katy the angel…you will see her below.  angel katy is 45-50 years old…literally.  she originally belonged to michael.  michael was born with downs syndrome.  he had many heart surgeries and at the age of 30 passed away. before he died he passed the little angel doll to his mom’s older sister.  michael said it was his time to meet his real angel so he wanted katy to watch over other people here on earth.  katy has been over the US, europe and even iraq with a soldier. her keeper is now alec who was born with a heart defect.  alec is now 13 years old and has had several heart surgeries.  he heard about shelby from his grandma and wanted angel katy to visit shelby.  and, so it is here next to baby shelby that katy the angel sits.  so incredibly heart warming…

Pictures of Hope Foundation, a national charitable organization, benefiting families in the neonatal intensive care unit {NICU}.  The pictures of hope foundation {POH} is comprised of professional photographers from all over the united states, that provides an opportunity for professional photographers to give back to their community.  Members of Pictures of Hope, offer complimentary, documentary-style photography services to families with a child in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Time spent in the NICU is often an unexpected journey for families, a journey full of overwhelming emotions…sadness, confusion, hope, celebration and unfortunately, at times grief.  Throughout this roller coaster of emotions, many parents do not consider the importance of documenting these moments in their lives nor do they think about how much they will truly cherish these images years down the road.  Pictures of Hope provides you with invaluable photographs of your sweet one that you will cherish forever.

At the request of the parents, a photographer will come to your NICU room and photograph your baby using the available light in your room.  Pictures of Hope is a charitable organization, there are no fees for the services provided by our participating members.

For more information,  visit www.picturesof hopefoundation.org or feel free to contact me directly!

pictures of hope and giving back…

Eydie Nelson on May 6, 2010

I feel very honored to be a part of the Pictures of Hope Foundation, a national charitable organization, benefiting families in the neonatal intensive care unit {NICU}.  The pictures of hope foundation {POH} is comprised of professional photographers from all over the united states, that provides an opportunity for professional photographers to give back to their community.  Members of Pictures of Hope, offer complimentary, documentary-style photography services to families with a child in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Time spent in the NICU is often an unexpected journey for families, a journey full of overwhelming emotions…sadness, confusion, hope, celebration and unfortunately, at times grief.  Throughout this roller coaster of emotions, many parents do not consider the importance of documenting these moments in their lives nor do they think about how much they will truly cherish these images years down the road.  Pictures of Hope provides you with invaluable photographs of your sweet one that you will cherish forever.

At the request of the parents, a photographer will come to your NICU room and photograph your baby using the available light in your room.  Pictures of Hope is a charitable organization, there are no fees for the services provided by our participating members.

For more information,  visit www.picturesof hopefoundation.org or feel free to contact me directly!