Inclusive Family Photography with the L Family

This was the first session from my "Flexible Session" series, a series of photo sessions specifically for celebrating children with special needs and disabilities, and their families.

When I talked to Mom on the phone prior to the session, she admitted she was a little nervous - about DJ, her 5-year-old son with autism - warming up to a new person, in a new environment. "He doesn't like loud noises or overstimulating environments," she told me.

So when DJ and his parents showed up, I made sure the lights weren't too bright, there was some calming music in the background, and the environment wasn't too crowded or eye-catching. DJ was a little shy at first, and we spent the first several minutes exploring the new space with Mom and Dad. But after a few minutes, some bouncing on the bed, and a few lo-fi Disney songs later, Dad remarked to me, "This is the fastest I've seen him warm up to someone outside of the family".

To say that I was honored by that comment was putting it lightly. DJ liked looking at the photos on the back of my camera and would say excitedly "it's me!" when he saw himself in the photos. Mom and Dad brought DJ's favorite drawing board with them so that he could show off his writing and drawing skills and he made us all laugh when he wrote the names of various artists and music stars on the whiteboard for us to read. We laughed, we had a pillow fight, we guessed what DJ was thinkin, and laughed some more. Honestly, I could have photographed DJ and his parents for the rest of the day and been content!

About a week after our session together, Mom texted me to let me know that DJ had asked a few times over the week if they could "go back to to the studio for picture with Miss Katie".

And that is an absolute win in my book!