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dotcomkari

dotcomkari

The Deaf Superstar
Joined
May 24, 2012
Messages
6,126
I was asked by a friend to help out her sister. Her sister has a son, who is a senior this year. The family has been turned away by three local photographers because her son has Autism. This breaks my heart into a 100 pieces because, well.. I have two kids on the spectrum myself. And can imagine what she is going through wanting her son to have the same experinces as all other kids his age with senior photos. My own son, Kai, just finished his high school classes on Oct 9th in a group home and will be having his graduating ceremony real soon. So I truly felt for this woman. Being the person I am, I of course said I would not only do the photos for her, but after talking to the woman.. I told her I would do them free of charge.

I use to be a photographer full time, as a manager of JC Penny photo studio in our local mall, until I got seriously hurt in a freak accident that left me pretty much unable to hold a camera for long periods of time and unable to do what I love full time. I had to give up my dream job. And now I only shoot once in awhile for short periods of time and always take a second shooter with me incase I get tired or worse case my arm just gives out (which tends to happen more than it should)

While, I am not nervous about taking this woman's sons photos at all.. I am quite excited actually it has been awhile since I shot for someone other than my own family. I am a little scared on capturing photos she will love since her son is on the specturm. And capturing a good photo of him smiling (she mentioned he has a hard time doing so for strangers). We don't have a time limit and I plan on spending a few hours with them next week so he is comfortable. And not "posing him" so much.. but allowing for him to pose natural so he is comfortable in his surroundings ..
but I could use any tips you all may have for me



Here are some recent shots I took of my own son Kai:







 
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dotcomkari said:
Werid they show fine on my end
Click to expand...
weird thing this is how I see them
Screenshot_2023-10-21 Senior Photos.png
 
I see them Kari - Great job - he is so handsome! And great of you for picking up the pieces for this lady. It breaks my heart that a professional would be so unprofessional to refuse capturing this lady's son. Good luck! I hope you feel well that day!!
 
@dotcomkari I see now your photos, are beautiful! you've got a handsome son.
My heart breaks for that woman, and how people can be so nasty.
Hope you feel better, dear sweet lady. Sending lots of love
 
Bless you.

I'm sure you know all the ways already for helping an autistic person feel comfortable. Create your shoot schedule with him. Get him involved in creating the plan - the where, the when, the poses etc. Incorporate something of him - maybe his current focus interest.

We take photos of my son with the latest robot he created, or active shots - taking photos of him doing something like climbing a tree etc.
 
Kai is so handsome and I love the photos and setting you chose :-)

I suspect the other photographers are just anxious and intimidated if they have limited experience of people with autism :-(. So lovely of you to step in and I am sure you will do a wonderful job, and definitely be better at making her son feel as comfortable as possible.

As a mother of two exceptional kids, I hear you on the smile .... :-( Maybe go into it aiming for a relaxed gaze at best? Not sure if he is non-verbal, but if not, perhaps getting him to talk to his mom or someone off camera about his special interests that may provoke a smile even if not direct to camera?

Have fun! x
 
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Your photos of Kai are great Kari.

My only suggestion is to just go with your gut. You know what you’re doing so have confidence in yourself. :) You got this!

halloween2023-png.571386
 
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Thank you for the tips everyone! I am excited to meet this family and learn more about him and his interests
 
That's so awesome that you are going to help her out, especially since you have the perfect set of skills already... a great photographer and knowledge about kids on the spectrum. Maybe ask if he has any special interests or projects that he could bring along as props, or just to have something to talk about or show off that would make him feel more comfortable. Or playing music that he enjoys while taking pictures? I also think Angela's idea of getting him involved in the planning would be great too. Maybe if you had some sample photos to show him so he knows what to expect.

My oldest son was very shy and self-conscious in high school, so we knew we wouldn't get good pictures if I took them or if a stranger took them. Our good friends offered to help take pictures. The husband is a good photographer, so he took the pictures and the wife was my son's 1st grade teacher so he knew her and felt comfortable around them. But the best thing she did was jump right in and showed my son how to pose, instead of just telling him what to do. That way he didn't feel so weird doing the poses, since she's already done it and showed him how to stand and where to put his hands, etc.
 
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