At the age of 27, Lindsey Natzic-Villatoro became aware she had a gift that could help people grieve. Being a people person, she decided to use a talent she had to provide comfort to those most in need of it, and so started Love Song Photography.
Thus far, she’s helped a number of people. The way she does it? Well, to say her method is trying doesn’t quite do it justice.
Though Lindsey photographs a number of things, she puts a particular emphasis on capturing people’s final moments on Earth, as well as documenting lives that will never be lived.
“I wanted to capture stillborn photography to change the stigma of having this subject be so hush-hush,” she says.
Parents Richard Staley and Emily McClearen were excited to welcome their second child into the world. However, mere days before the due date, Emily realised her baby wasn’t moving around much.
She went to the hospital with Richard, only to have doctors sit them down and explain that their baby’s umbilical cord had wrapped around her neck. She had passed away in the womb.
The unborn baby, Monroe, will never feel the kiss of the sun; never breath air into her lungs or laugh and cry as other babies do. Her parents, however, will always have treasured photos to remember her by.
Richard and Emily want to share their process and story – using Lindsey’s photographs – to show others that they aren’t alone. Their aim is to share their pain so that others might not feel so isolated in their grief.
As for Lindsey, she says: “Throughout every tragedy there is a silver lining and I am blessed that my clients allow me to capture it.”
It’s certainly a brave job Lindsey undertakes, and one not for the faint-hearted. Remember, if you are in the process of grieving, it’s perfectly acceptable to reach out to others on your own terms.
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