Special Needs Photography | Naperville Photographer

Did you know that photographing a child with special needs, especially those with autism spectrum disorders, is not something every photographer can do well?  If you do not have a special needs child, you may not realize the struggle, the frustration, humiliation that many families endure during photo shoots with the average photographer.  The stories they tell me – the judgement cast by the photographer.  So offering special needs mini sessions every year is something we do here at Firefly Nights Photography because it is what we are known for, and what we really love.  With personal experience for both myself and assistant, there is nothing we haven’t seen.  It was wondering seeing the same familiar faces come year after year as well as meeting new families.

Since we do these in studio every year, I try my best to change up the look.  Last year, we were bright and whites.  This year, we decided to go with dark and classic.  This first family was new to us, though I’ve been photographing their in-laws for years.  The boys both have low muscle tone, significant developmental delay in speech and proprioceptive issues.  They were so cute and a great way to start the day!

 

I had done this lovely lady’s senior pictures.  She tends to hate being in front of the camera, but with her family around her, we got some smiles.  She has Down Syndrome and has had great experiences being with her high school cheerleading team.

 

I’ve been photographing this guy for years.  He has come such a long way.  He is on the spectrum, so it is heart warming to see his speech evolve as well as his personality.

 

While I had photographed the sister for my unicorn mini’s, this was my first time meeting her brother who has autism.  He was goofy and silly and wonderful.

 

This little lady is dear to me.  I’ve seen her for years.  When we first met, she was completely non-verbal.  The last time I saw her, she may have had a couple words, but still mostly non-verbal.  But this time, her speech has really come out.  She still struggles with eye contact, but she was a blast.  I absolutely love this image of her.

 

I have been photographing this family since the older brother was a newborn, so it is a delight to watch them both grow.  He has a chromosomal disorder that affects his walking, speech, and development.  But he is really getting around well now!

 

This guy I love.  I think mostly because I lump him with my own son.  He has high-functioning autism and is the same age, and they are both percussionists.  He is a JOY.

 

This was a new family – and so beautiful!  I love their colors.  Their son is also on the spectrum and a total delight.

I got to photograph this dog during my winter dog mini sessions, and now I got to meet the rest of the family.  Their son has partial Trisomy 13 and Autism.  He is developmentally delayed, non verbal,  and has sensory issues.  He also has the most amazing eye lashes I’ve ever seen!

 

This was another new family for me, and I hope one I get to see every year.  They were a blast!  Their older son is on the spectrum but also has limited vision. He is legally blind and uses a white cane to travel.

 

This amazing family was awesome and wins for best dressed!  Some of the children were drug exposed in utero and have multiple behavioral and mental side effects.  But on this day, they were simply awesome.

 

I haven’t seen these four year old twins in two years, but how could I forget these cuties?!  One has been recently diagnosed on the spectrum, though they expect the other to follow suit at some point.  Both were silly and perfect.

 

This was also a new family for me with their 23 year old son who has Spinal Muscular Athrophy type 2.  I loved having his service dog along.

 

I got to meet this adorable family last year when they told me their son was REALLY hard to photograph.  He has Down Syndrome, and they warned me he was really difficult.  He was anything but.  So of course I knew he would be a blast again – and look at that smile.

 

These cuties were so much fun.  The older brother is on the spectrum and so, so sweet.  I can tell the younger brother is full of mischief. LOL