Special Needs Photography | Chicago Special Needs Photographer | Mini's

Here are the first half of my April 19th special needs mini sessions.  We had such a wonderful time seeing old friends and making new ones with these wonderful families and their awesome kids.

First off was a new family for us.  This little guy is Junior, who is going to be three years old soon.  He was born with Down Syndrome but that does not slow him down. He just started walking a few weeks ago and is already into trouble. He is always happy and loves to dance and be silly, especially with his sister, Mia.  When they first arrived, he was feeling shy and clinging to his sister or mom but refused to look our way or smile.  Want to know how I got these smiles?  Well, as he was being a bit crabby on the bed, I showed him a picture of him on the back of the camera. “Who’s this?” I asked.  Then the image disappeared.  “Oh no!” I said.  “Where did you go?”  Then I pushed the button, and back it came.  Then he smiled.  So then I asked him to push the button, but he took his mom’s finger to do it.  After about 20 times of watching this image reappear, he was fully happy and smiley.  He was definitely worth the wait!

 

 

Next up was Aaron, a total sweetheart who also happens to have a rare deletion on chromosome 8.  He started receiving services through Early Intervention when he was 18 months because he wasn’t walking yet.  It wasn’t until his second birthday that they found out about the chromosomal defect. It affects 27 genes that he is basically ‘missing’ a copy of.   He is the only known case right now in the genome database with this exact deletion, which is typical in these rare cases.  Aaron’s deletion is responsible for his gross and fine motor delays, including speech apraxia.  He receives weekly outside therapies in addition to the services he receives through the early childhood program at school and is thriving.  But don’t let this bring you down because this guy is nothing but smiles and joy.  And he is a wonderful, loving big brother to an incredibly adorable baby sister!

The family was very excited to use my Americana backdrop and had come prepared with his grandfather’s shirt and dog tag.  He was in the army reserves as a master sergeant.  Unfortunately, he passed away this past March.  He is still with them in spirit.

 

 

Ok, this next girl is one we had the pleasure of working with last year.  I 100% remembered her and her red shoes.  This year, she showed up pretty in pink.  Sarah is a happy 12 year old girl that also happens to have Down Syndrome.  She was born with many health problems, has had 10 surgeries, and has overcome all of them.  Sarah loves to participate in the Illinois Special Olympics and has won many medals and has made many friends through it.  She is in 6th grade and will be heading to middle school next year.  She loves school.  She loves swimming, music, singing, movies and smiles a lot.  Sarah brings so much joy and happiness to those who know her.  She was all about modeling for me this year.  I think she knows how to work the camera. 😉

 

 

I have photographed this next boy several times.  He has Autism and is about to become a big brother! The very first time I met him, he spun in circles pretty much the entire session, never willing to be still or look at me, though he was very happy.  Now, he has really come far!  Not only did he follow instructions and sit still (at least for brief moments), but he TALKED to me!  Last time I saw him, he would speak words or repeat them, but he hadn’t really shown me conversational speech, which can be a typical deficit with those on the spectrum.  This time, his speech has really improved.  I love being able to witness the progress of these kids.  And I can’t wait to meet his baby sibling next time!