Given that nothing happens if there aren’t photographs to prove it, here are some images from Jessie’s big jump:

Image credit: Tania Wholing

The funds raised for the ACOCP thanks to Jessie’s bravery will help to support us in the year ahead. As stated before, the ACOCP is an organisation that runs entirely on volunteer contribution and participation. The funds raised will help pay for the upcoming Heartfelt 2010 exhibition, State Rep phones and the general costs of running the ACOCP. So, thank you to all those who donated, because every cent really does count.

Thank you to Jessie for stepping up and flying high, so to speak. Your dedication to the ACOCP is astounding and this wonderful fundraiser is yet another example of that.

Thank you to Nagambie Skydive, as well, for making all of this possible.

Let me introduce myself: My name is Hannah Lundberg, and I am the new
social media representative for the ACOCP. I’ll be doing my very best
to make sure the whole internet (and beyond) is aware of the fantastic
work that the ACOCP and its photographers are doing around Australia,
every day.

A little bit about me: I am a photographer from Sydney. I have a
background in politics, marketing and social media. Basically, I am a
nerd with a camera who truly believes in how amazing the ACOCP is. I
also like chocolate and shoes.

My goal for the ACOCP this year is to improve awareness and educate
people about how important this service is. Social media provides the
ACOCP with many wonderful methods of doing this – from Facebook to
Twitter to Wordpress and beyond, we’ll be there, educating the masses
about our important, compassionate mission.

We have already gotten the ball rolling with a Facebook page and a
Twitter profile and this blog post. There is a lot more on the
horizon, with many exciting prospects for us to achieve the
aforementioned goal.

In order for this to work, we need you (yes, you!) to participate.
Become a fan of our Facebook page, follow @theacocp on Twitter, read
the blog regularly and share it with your friends, family and colleagues. Through these channels, we can ensure that 2010 is a year
full of growth in awareness and education about the ACOCP.

If you have ideas for a blog post, would like to be interviewed for
this blog, would like to be featured as a guest blogger or Tweeter, or
would just like to drop me a line and introduce yourself, be sure to
email me at blog@acocp.org.au.

15 October 2009 – Today, on International Baby Loss Day, The Australian Community of Child Photographers (ACOCP) is urging people to recognise the many families that go through the tragic loss of a child, rather than risk isolating them by neglecting to acknowledge their loss.

International Baby Loss Awareness Day is 15 October. Across the world, memorial services, balloon releases and candle lighting at 7pm take place in honour and as a sign of remembrance for lost children.

Said Jessie Broome, president and co-founder of ACOCP, “The grief that follows the loss of a child is so engulfing but it can also be very isolating. We encourage people to take the time to honour this grief; to realise that by avoiding the subject does not make it go away and by simply acknowledging the child can help the family immensely.”

ACOCP is an entirely not-for-profit Australian organisation that gives the gift of photographic memories to families who have had a stillbirth, premature baby, infant in the NICU or child with serious or terminal illnesses. Participating photographers – some of whom have previously experienced their own loss – are on call 24/7 to go to hospitals or homes and are often present during the families’ most tragic hours.

Jessie continued, “The wider community finds the loss of a child very difficult. We find it difficult to know what to say or what to do, so often tend to stay away – particularly after the funeral. The process goes on for a long time and support is needed over the long haul and not just the first weeks.

“Listening is the key. Parents often want to tell you the stories of their children. You don’t have to say much. Alternatively, some people find practical measures easier, such as helping out with cooking meals, child care services or housework.

“It’s understandable that people feel at a loss of what to say or do – for a long time, death has been a taboo subject in our society. It’s not something people discuss, but I think we must.”

The Role of Photography in the Grieving Process
Jessie explains the important role the ACOCP plays, “The most heartbreaking thing in the world is losing a child. As a parent, we look forward to watching our child grow, finding out who they are and watching them develop. We fill boxes with drawings and paintings and reports and photos. When you lose a baby, you also lose a lifetime of memories.

“In some situations, when facing the death of a child, parents are encouraged to take time with their little one. They are given a fleeting opportunity to try to create a lifetime of memories within a small space of time. They are encouraged to bond with their child, to hold them, to sing to them. To take their footprints, a lock of their hair and as many photos as possible. This is where the ACOCP comes in. We capture many beautiful, professional-quality, images in the most loving and sensitive way, so that parents has something that they can share with family and friends, something to treasure and remember always.”

About ACOCP

ACOCP is an entirely not-for-profit Australian community organisation giving the gift of photographic memories to children in need and their families. ACOCP works with families who have had a stillbirth, premature baby, infant in the NICU or child with serious or terminal illnesses. Participating photographers are on call 24/7 to go to hospitals or homes all over Australia. The service is entirely free. There is no charge for the photography, prints, beautiful presentation, tasteful packaging or delivery.
For more Information

Australian Community Of Child Photographers

The Official Site of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (USA)

Baby Loss Awareness Campaign (UK)

Support for families following a loss:

Bonnie Babes Foundation

“These photographs are more than just images, each one tells the story of a young life, at times tragically short, at times endured, but always loved. These photographs are not documentaries but rather tangible memories that help the families both grieve and delight in their children. These photographs show the significant role that photography plays is creating a sense of family for all of us.”

We also had an Obstetrics social worker, Deb de Wilde who has been in the industry for 20 years, speak about her support and thanks for the ACOCP and expressed from a medical support staff’s point of view, how important these photographs were for these families. Our president Jessie Broome, once did a heart wrenching job for a beautiful set of identical girl twins, Ava and Brianna. The were born early and unfortunately did not survive, but Jess was able to capture some beautiful family moments for them together. Ava and Brianna’s parents flew up from Melbourne to tell their story at our exhibition launch, and it was such a beautiful yet such a sad story that it did not leave a dry eye in the house. I personally heard many people on the night, mention that they had expected to be touched by these stories but were truly blown away by the compassion and dedication from everyone involved. I have included a few photographs below.

Nat Green, the ACOCP publicist, Cristina Garduno Freeman, the ACOCP exhibition curator,
Nettra Chetty, ACOCP Exhibition Coordinator
and Nicole Boenig-McGrade, a wonderful photographer who donated to our silent auction

]]> http://www.acocp.org.au/blog/2009/07/12/the-acocp-exhibition-launch/feed/ 0 http://www.acocp.org.au/blog/2008/10/16/its-national-babies-day-17th-oct-2008/ http://www.acocp.org.au/blog/2008/10/16/its-national-babies-day-17th-oct-2008/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:26:00 +0000 Jessie.Broome http://www.acocp.org.au/blog/2008/10/16/its-national-babies-day-17th-oct-2008/ FROM THE BONNIE BABES FOUNDATION WEBSITE:-

Visit the Bonnie Babes Foundation website for all the details

Read the full story here

My name is Casandra Anguita Deep from caspix.photography in Sydney. I am a wife, a mother and a photographer and run my own business from home. I can be found online at http://www.caspix.com.au.

There is nothing more sublime for me than photography. To make the ordinary look extraordinary, to celebrate the colour of life and love in all its forms. It is not a job for me, it’s just who I am. I wake up every morning and dream about what I am going to capture that day, every day. I am blessed to be living my dream.

The call came late at night last weekend whilst I was baking for my eldest son’s birthday party. A social worker from a big Sydney hospital was with a  family who’s baby had passed away.  The experience, though very very sad was also incredibly beautiful. The atmosphere was peaceful, calm and full of love. Even though this little baby was not with us anymore, he still had such a presence in the room. I was deeply touched and the whole reason why I had volunteered for this organisation came back to me ten fold, just how much we can reach out and give to families in these sad sad situations.

(Thanks to Casandra for sharing her story. If you have a story to share email us . Or if you are a photographer and would like to become a member of the ACOCP, we’d love to hear from you)

Click on the link below to Head in the Clouds Photography for the full story

http://headinthecloudsphotography.blogspot.com/2008/07/niamh-makes-headlines-acocp-shoot.html

Where do you hope to be in five years?