Finding a special needs photographer who understands your child can make a huge difference in the experience of family photos. I have been an occupational therapist for 25 years and have worked on and off with children and adults with a wide range of disabilities, developmental differences, illnesses and injuries. That experience also shapes the way I work with families with children with special needs.
The family above found me through an Army spouses group while Dad was at Fort Lee for Army school. Mom, Tish, had a three-year-old daughter and a baby who was about six months old. Their oldest daughter has sensory processing disorder and autism, and we photographed their family session right on Fort Lee.
Over the years, I have worked with people with:
- Autism
- Down syndrome
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spina bifida
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
- Limb loss
- Burns
- Developmental delays
- Fragile X syndrome
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Williams syndrome
- Other diagnoses and disabilities
Every person is different. My goal isn’t to make a child fit into a typical photography session. I adjust the session to fit the child and their family.
How 25 Years in Occupational Therapy Shapes My Special Needs Photoshoots
This is Raquetta and her daughter Kelci. Kelci normally uses a wheelchair, although Raquetta wanted photos of her without it for this session. We photographed them at another photographer’s studio last year.
Occupational therapists like me, are trained to understand how to plan a special needs family session. I consider things like sensory processing, positioning, development and everyday activities that can affect a child’s participation and comfort during a photoshoot.
We learn about developmental milestones, positioning, sensory needs, mobility equipment and the everyday activities that may be affected by a person’s diagnosis. The American Occupational Therapy Association has more information about occupational therapy and sensory processing.
That background gives me a different perspective as a special needs photographer and when I’m planning a photography session.
Planning Family Photos Around Sensory and Accessibility Needs
For example, a child may use a wheelchair or other mobility equipment. Another child may be sensitive to noise, bright light or being touched. Someone else may simply need additional time before they are comfortable interacting with me.
These are things I think about before we ever start taking photographs.
This is the Tavill family and their daughter Cara. Cara usually uses a wheelchair, although I don’t have any photos of her using it from this session at Historic Tuckahoe.
A lot of the children I’ve worked with have been either hyper- or hypo-sensitive to different types of sensory stimulation. Sometimes they need a little extra time at the beginning of a session to warm up to me and to their surroundings.
That can influence the location I recommend, the time of day we photograph and even which part of a location we use.
I consider things such as:
- noise around the location
- bright or changing light
- crowds and other distractions
- accessibility for wheelchairs or mobility equipment
- how much walking is required
- the time of day when the child typically feels their best
I also ask parents beforehand what helps their child feel most comfortable and at home.
As a special needs photographer, I know there isn’t one formula that works for everyone.
Autism Friendly Photographers for Families
Parents looking for autism friendly photographers often aren’t simply looking for someone who is willing to photograph their child. They are looking for someone who inclusive and who understands that the session itself may need to work differently.
I keep expectations very low and flexible during these sessions.
You never know what kind of day a child has had before arriving. Their sleep, school day, sensory experiences, interactions and changes in routine can affect a photography session much more than they might for another child.
Sometimes we need extra time. Sometimes we need to change what we’re doing. Sometimes the best approach is simply to play for a while.
There is no requirement that a child look at the camera. Or sit perfectly still or interact with me in set way to capture great shots.
This is Sophia, who has autism. She lives in my neighborhood and does not do well with new experiences or new people. For her session at Historic Tuckahoe, I figured out that if we played with her and let her focus on the flowers, the horses that were there and lots of movement she would be okay.
Instead of expecting her to interact with me in a certain way, we worked with the things she was already interested in.
Touch, Personal Space and Giving Children Control
Another thing as a special needs photographer is that I never assume is that I can touch or physically position a child.
Many children and adults with disabilities don’t like being touched, or they may only be comfortable being touched by people they know and trust. Others may be comfortable with touch after being asked first.
This is something I address in my questionnaire before the session.
My occupational therapy experience has taught me a great deal about positioning, but knowing how to position someone doesn’t mean that physically moving them is always appropriate.
Whenever possible, I use verbal directions, demonstrate what I’d like someone to do or have a parent help.
The person in front of my camera should still have control over their own body and personal space.
This is Ryker during a session at the wildlife refuge in Oklahoma. He does best with physical activities and heavy work, so at one point we played tug-of-war with the blanket. Giving him something physical to do worked much better for him than expecting him to stay still for photos.
Photographing Children With Wheelchairs and Other Mobility Needs
My occupational therapy experience has also been important when photographing children like Cara and Kelci, who typically use wheelchairs.
I don’t have photographs of Cara using her wheelchair from the Tavill family session. Kelci also normally uses a wheelchair, but her mom Raquetta specifically wanted photos of her without it during their session.
Sessions involving wheelchairs or other mobility equipment require more thought than simply finding a pretty location. Accessibility, terrain, positioning and how the family naturally interacts all matter.
My occupational therapy background means durable medical equipment and adaptive positioning aren’t unfamiliar to me. They are simply another part of planning the session around the person I’m photographing.
The equipment doesn’t need to be hidden or treated as something that gets in the way of the photographs.
Finding a Special Needs Photographer Near You
If you’ve searched for a special needs photographer near you or autism friendly photographers near you, one of the most important questions to ask isn’t simply whether the photographer has photographed a child with a disability before.
Ask how they adapt their sessions.
Ask whether they are comfortable changing plans, allowing extra warm-up time, working around sensory needs and choosing accessible locations.
Most importantly, your child should be treated with dignity and respect.
After 25 years as an occupational therapist, one of the biggest things I’ve learned as an inclusive photographer is that children with disabilities usually don’t want every interaction to revolve around a diagnosis. A lot of the time, they simply want you to talk to them, laugh with them and play with them just like you would any other child.
That’s exactly how I approach family photography too.
Ready to Book Your Special Needs Photographer?
If you’re looking for a special needs photographer in Richmond, VA, I would love to learn more about your family, what your child enjoys and anything I can do to make your photography session more comfortable for everyone.
To see more of my family work, check out my family portfolio!
Hi! I’m Sarah, founder of Sarah Creal Photography. I’ve been photographing beautiful families in the Richmond area for over 10 years and I’d love to do the same for you. I’m a member of PPA, Professional Photographers of America and have over 90 five star reviews on Google.
Sarah Creal is a family, maternity, newborn, and birth photographer serving Richmond, Virginia and Lawton, Oklahoma. With 10+ years in business and 95 five-star reviews, she is known for relaxed, connected photography and her ability to work with children and families of different needs. Sarah was also an occupational therapist for 25 years and is a member of Professional Photographers of America and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
