To give you some background: I create pencil portraits, and one of the things I do is portraits of deceased/stillborn/miscarried babies. I draw these from the photos and make the babies look sweeter than the hospital/death photographs so they look angelic.
The issue is that this is a hard thing to 'advertise' because I don't want to look like I'm capitalizing one someone's loss and pain.
YET, there are a lot of people who do want this, they just don't know it's available (I have had people tell me they were afraid to ask for this, afraid they would seem morbid to ask for it).
So far, I have tried Google keyword advertising here and there, and of course word of mouth is the best advertising. Hoping someone has some ideas on how I can advertise this service without appearing greedy or tacky! Thanks for your advice...if you have lost a baby, I would love your candid advice/comments.
2007-02-10 09:54:33 · 6 answers · asked by darligraphy 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I do portraits of living babies, pets, homes...not just deceased children. I have a special page on my site for these portraits, as well as grief resources...but how to get the word out in a respectful way?
2007-02-10 10:03:28 · update #1
I would suggest looking for forums dealing with this subject and contact the moderators/owners. You don't need to advertise as such, just ask them to recommend you if they are asked. You may even be allowed to put a banner on their site, perhaps an exchange link if you have a site too.
Whatever you do though, do *not* just jump straight in there posting about your services, you will be hated and driven out. I'm sure you wouldn't, and you certainly seem very aware of the sensitivities, I would just hate to not say it!
There are now hundreds of websites that help bereaved parents by offering support, and many are started by parents and are often very helpful with this sort of thing (helping you to advertise your services), unlike bigger companies, who can be a bit scary to approach and less willing to help out.
It is a difficult area, however I had a picture done of my daughter, and treasured it, although it was just a photoshopped image of a photo scanned in, not a pencil drawing. Still special though.
Try ivillage forums (both .com and .co.uk), Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society charities, babyloss.com, babybabyuk forums and babyworld forums to start with. From here you may be able to approach parents who have their own personal memorial websites, perhaps offering them your services for free in return for a banner advert?
Funeral homes are a good start, you could use a poster or perhaps some small leaflets or business cards, as well asking hospitals to give a leaflet of yours to grieving parents when they give them other information leaflets.
It may seem harsh, but sometimes parents aren't told about this until it is too late. They may not want a photograph because it won't be so pretty, if they have photographs taken with the idea of eventually having a portrait produced from it it can help with the grieving and acceptance process.
2007-02-10 10:07:08 · answer #1 · answered by cymraesgwyllt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have a lady in my area that does this. My Christian OB practice gives out "Dealing with your loss" - Grieving "packages". There is some information of grieving, counseling services in the area, a beautiful poem and personalized prayer and there were a few fliers advertising miscarriage/stillborn/infant loss memory jewelry- drawings, and I think the other was a name-a-star brochure. Anyway- my point is, you can try tastefully contacting some of the OBs in your area to see if they offer this type of free package and if so, could they include your tasteful brochure advertising as well.
Good luck!
2007-02-11 14:08:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My opinion would be, why limit yourself to just babies that have passed on? That would at least put a more upbeat spin on it- and then others will know your services are avilaible for children that have passed away as well.
2007-02-10 18:00:44 · answer #3 · answered by beverleekumar 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just a thought, you could always go thru your local funeral homes. My best friend drew one for me when my child died, not sure how to make it look like you are not trying to capitalize on someones grief though.
2007-02-10 17:58:21 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to some nurses at your local hospital and see what they suggest.
Also, talk to childbirth educators and doulas for ideas.
2007-02-10 19:38:05 · answer #5 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Memorize your loved one, I will draw a picture from a photo you have of them. Call me at 000-000-0000
Contact me I do have a photo for you.
2007-02-10 18:02:55 · answer #6 · answered by Carlene W 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋