Here I am Lord, send me. I’m willing to serve You!" ~ Isaiah 6:8
They’d been missionaries in Europe for over a decade
and firmly believed that to be their life’s calling. Then something occurred
that wasn’t supposed to happen to a Pastor’s family. The oldest of their three teenage
daughters became pregnant.
After returning stateside,
Angela Forker thought her ministry days were over. But soon after her new
grandson arrived, God revealed a new mission for the amateur landscape
photographer.
She’d always had a
heart for babies. She then mastered a new skill for photographing newborns,
which she called the Precious Babies Project. What started as a hobby
quickly grew into a successful business, where she creates whimsical scenes
around infants through the magic of photography.
When a couple at her church found out that their baby would
be born with life-threatening medical issues, they asked Angela to take
pictures of their baby. Stepping into a world with no personal experience, Angela
began to see the regret, pain, and remorse that special needs parents suffer.
Having professional photos of your baby is one of
parenthood’s most prized perks, but largely out of reach if the child is born
with a rare or serious disease. So, instead of trying to cover up Madalyn’s disabilities,
Angela incorporated them into her work before the baby died 15 days after birth.
That seeded another idea.
She could photograph medically fragile babies in ways that showed strength,
potential, and love. Special equipment, like feeding tubes, wires, and helmets,
could be woven into powerful imagery. https://mymodernmet.com/angela-forker-precious-baby-project/
Inspired by
photographer Adele Enersen, Angela has been staging the special portraits since
2017. The Indiana photographer prays over each child before spending up to 10
hours creating elaborate, individualized scenes, even longer making personally
hand-sewn costumes.
Her scene with the
“Forget-Me-Not Fairy” is both sad and beautiful. Her parents were told their
baby, Ellie Rose, would likely have less than a year on earth.
Angela created a scene
that would help them remember Ellie’s shortened life forever. The little fairy sprinkles
love that blooms into gorgeous roses and will never be forgotten.
She takes the baby's photos
for free. Seeing the joy they bring to the babies and families makes it all
worthwhile.
She’d originally
wanted to go back to being an overseas missionary. When God told her He had
something else in mind, she wrestled with Him in tears for days, before
dutifully obeying His call and turning it into stories of hope.
Loving God, help us not to turn a blind eye
or a deaf ear to those who have special needs, but to reach out with love,
grace, and care. Help us to be faithful representations of your character and
your love. Amen
