I got a call from a new client, referred to me by an old friend. She was looking to get Senior Portraits done for her son…yay…I love senior portraits. As we talked I found that there was a little twist on the story…her son was Autistic. I personally have not had any experience with anyone Autistic, but have read a touch on it and felt I would be able to give her what she needed…”One good image”.
One good image…I can do that!
So of course I headed into the session a touch unsure, challenged and unaware of the level of Austism I was going to be up against. We had discussed an outdoor location would be best for him to be comfortable and of course, you know “I” am comfortable there too.
So Sunday a young man exited the car, handsome and quiet. I introduced myself, and he quietly acknowledged, head down and clearly nervous. I chatted with Mom a bit as we walked to the location and then started asking him simple questions just to get him comfortable with me. The session started a little slow and minor signs of his disability showed here and there, but other than that I felt I was dealing with nothing more than another shy teen. I never pushed him far, as soon as I felt he was getting even the slightest stressed, we walked and talked, and I would shoot. Casually I would ask him if he would like to sit somewhere, letting him guide the session. And before I knew it, I had a chatter box on my hands. He completely opened up to me, telling me all about his friends at school, asking me tons of questions, and we were well on our way. You can see the puzzling in his face at times, when he is processing his thoughts, or my comments, or when things start to get just a touch to much for him…those were my signs to back off and move on.
Otherwise I was happy and he was happy…and I know mom will be happy.
I knew this session would not be the same as my others, I would have little time to get what I needed. But I really wanted to give mom her image and give a deserving hard working young man his chance to have his Senior pictures too. If you know of anyone that has been hesitant to do so, or never thought it possible to get images of a child or person of disabilities, send them to me. Using a lot of patience, casual attitude and photographing in a relaxing environment those images are definitely possible, and I am more than willing to give it a try.
