Naperville special needs photographer

Here is our second day of special needs mini sessions from back in April in honor of Autism Awareness Month.  Firefly Nights is a Naperville special needs photographer year round, but we like to celebrate our special needs families during this time by offering mini sessions with no session fee and with discounted pricing.

I have seen this girl every year for many years, and it is always a treat to see how much she has grown up between sessions.  She has autism and is non-verbal.  Her adorable therapy dog is helping her socialize and stabilize her moods.

 

We have several clients who have more than one child on the spectrum, like with these two brothers who were dressed to the nines!

 

But not all the children need to have special needs to be in on these sessions.  We welcome the entire family!  This adorable boy is one of the silliest monkeys who also happens to have autism.  And his sweet sisters and he love to be cuddly.

 

Here is another guy whom I’ve seen every year for many years. And now he’s no longer a “kid” but a full fledged teenager.

 

While the sister has autism, she wasn’t comfortable unless her twin was with her.  How cute are they?

 

I just saw these guys for a family session!  I always love how happy they are.  He may be easily excitable, but I’d take it any day with those smiles.

 

Like I said, we welcome the whole family for these sessions, especially because we know mom or dad are usually behind the camera.  I love showing how autism can look.  It can simply look like a happy, loving family.

 

You may never meet a sweeter set of brothers.  Seriously.  Big brother gets a double whammy of being on the spectrum as well as legally blind.  But he has the kindest soul.

 

I love his golden curls.  And what was awesome was when he walked in, we were struggling through a little meltdown with one of the children.  (it happens, no biggie).  But both kids are in the same special needs school, and this one immediately helped calm the other.  He wins for most helpful.  And such a great, joyful smile!

 

Last time I saw these kids, only the brothers were diagnosed with autism. Now all three kids are on the spectrum.  And this year, we have a new family member with their gorgeous therapy dog.

 

 

I’ve known these twins for a long time, and their sweet smiles always put me in a great mood.  Autism is truly a spectrum of abilities and hindrances.  Each with their own challenges and endearing qualities, too.

 

But our special needs minis aren’t just for kids with Autism.  It is for all special needs families.  And this boy with Down Syndrome is always one of my favorites.  His parents tell me they can never get good pictures of him with other photographers, but I can’t see how that’s possible.  He was high fiving me and giving me hugs a plenty.