Local family shares their message of hope through rainbow baby photoshoot

JENNERSTOWN - There’s an old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, but a picture of a newborn by Sweet Serendipity Photography has surpassed that amount after being viewed by over 4 million people on Facebook.

"I received messages from people in Canada and I know Jessica got one from someone in New Zealand,” said Ashley Lepley.

At the center of the viral photo is Weston Lepley, Ashley Lepley's beautiful rainbow baby.

"A rainbow baby is a term they came up with for a baby that is born after a miscarriage or infant death. It symbolizes there is hope after a storm,” said Lepley.

Photographer Jessica Solarczyk took Lepley's maternity photos two years ago when she was pregnant with her daughter Sophia. But on June 21, 2015, Sophia was born stillborn.

"One night I got out of bed and had this idea in my head. I drew it on a piece of paper. And when she had Weston, she came in and we put the idea together,” said Solarczyk.

Both women agree, the reaction to the photo has been positively overwhelming.

"We've received messages of encouragement from women who had rainbow babies, and said we put a voice to their grief that is sometimes overlooked,” said Solarczyk.

Solarczyk was able to represent Sophia in family photos in more ways than one, by adding a butterfly to each photo.

"When we had her funeral, there was a butterfly that hung around the entire time and never left. Ever since then, butterflies have been very special to us," said Lepley.

Lepley now has her hands full, being the mother of two beautiful boys, and the founder of the Sophia's Grace Foundation, an organization to help families like her own.

"Weston doesn't replace the loss of Sophia, but it does help to heal."

Lepley hopes the viral photo and the foundation helps other families see the rainbow in their lives.

"Whether or not they need financial assistance, or someone to talk to. We are definitely here to help in any way."

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