Jennifer Ray Photography and FMDH Partner For Newborn Photos

Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital is now providing a new service to babies born at the hospital and their families. In partnership with Jennifer Ray Photography, every baby born at the hospital will be provided a "Fresh 48" complimentary photo session, where one free digital image will be e-mailed to parents with the option available to purchase others.

Jenn Calkin, owner of Jennifer Ray Photography, brought the idea to the hospital, as she is a self-proclaimed baby lover. "I just love all the babies. It makes me happy to be able to photograph them!," laughed Calkin. After proposing the idea, it was welcomed by great reception by the hospital staff. "It's a huge weight off the nurses' shoulders to take the pictures," stated FMDH's labor and delivery coordinator Chrissa Nelson.

Prior to this partnership, nurses would take pictures of the babies, print off pictures and either mail them or provide them to the family upon discharge. "Newborn pictures are not as easy to take as professionals make it look!," laughed Nelson. "It is so awesome Calkin is willing to do this for us!"

When a baby is born, a time will be set up between the mother, the hospital and Jennifer Ray Photography, to allow time to gather everyone that would like to take part, including parents, siblings, grandparents, before the mother and baby are discharged from the hospital.

One digital image of the baby will be e-mailed to the family, and if the family has opted in, the image will be placed on the FMDH's online baby registry as well. The Glasgow Courier has also partnered with this service, allowing the picture to be printed with the baby's birth announcement, if the family has opted in.

In addition to the one digital photo, a story board of images taken during the session will be available on Jennifer Ray Photography's Facebook page to allow sharing between family and friends on social media. "I welcome parents to share the storyboard on their own pages," stated Calkin.

The first baby to take part in this complimentary service was born on Wednesday, June 12, and according to Nelson, the program is going great so far. "I would have loved this opportunity for my kids! It's a great service to be able to offer our community," stated Nelson. Both Calkin and Nelson stress if a family has chosen a different photographer to document the new addition, the photographer is certainly welcome to do their session. "Every baby deserves to have a picture. The service I am offering is a gift from me and FMDH," stressed Calkin.

To view story boards of the images from Fresh 48 Sessions, visit http://www.facebook.com/jenniferrayphotography/.