Special Needs Photography | SpecialT Guide bio picture

  • {As featured in the January 2012 issue of O Magazine, and can now be viewed here.}

    One of these children has autism,
    my goal is that no one will ever know which one.

    This project was inspired by my own sweet son who has autism. He has made huge progress in the three years since diagnosis, and is continually working hard to learn things that don't come naturally to him--like being his natural, happy, funny self in a photo.

    What started out as an experiment to stretch my photography skills, has now turned into a mission. My goal is to educate other photographers with the things I have learned from living and working with a special needs child. The ultimate hope is that there will be millions of amazing images representing these children just as their parents see them--beautiful and precious treasures.

    To purchase the SpecialT Guide to Photographing Children with Special Needs, select the SpecialT Guide above. Subscribe to this blog to learn about what happens behind the scenes and what worked with each child. And then go capture wonderful images of these awesome kids.

    Enjoy! Marsha

3.23.13

Eye contact | Special Needs Photography

Meet J, their SpecialT. J has 2 twin brother. Yes, triplet 8-year old boys. This kind of session poses challenges just for the fact that there would be three 8-year old boys. Luckily, I live with an 8-year boy and I had some tricks up my sleeves.

When I first started planning this session with his mom, I inquired about his challenges and she shared the two things that are difficult for him. He has a difficult time making eye contact and giving a genuine relaxed smile. There were also a few minor sensory concerns, but nothing she thought would be an obstacle during the session. Having this kind of information before the session is so helpful because it helps me to make a plan for addresses these issues and to be ready for it.

Not having eye contact in any of these images would instantly lead you to find the child who has this issue. However, using my bag of tricks, J just looks like an 8-year old boy who enjoys goofing around with his brothers and is dearly loved by his family. And that is what we wanted. Mission accomplished.

{To find out which method worked to achieve such amazing eye contact, check back for the revision of the SpecialT Guide to Photographing Children with Special Needs.}

 

They just had to get a little run in the middle of the session. Boys.

And they loved the images so much that a mere 20×30 canvas was not going to cut it. This display featuring a 30×40 canvas is now the focal point of their living room.

Filed in: Autism | Children's Photographer | Corona Photographer | Eye Contact | Family Photographer | Special Needs Photography
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March 26, 2013 - 4:53 am

Teresa Norris - What a lovely family. Your images are wonderful, and I would want them as beautiful art on my walls, too!

3.23.13

Family shot first | Special Needs Photography

I met this family last year from a referral. A referral from someone that my client could not remember so I have never been able to thank! So if you are that person who referred this lovely family – thank you and thank you again!

I was so pleased when this family contacted me to photograph their family again. Their kids are just so darn cute and mom and dad are super nice and easy going. Just a pleasure to work with.

Since I have some history with M, their SpecialT, I replanned how I would shoot their session this year. I usually like to warm up, hang out a little bit, let the kids check out my gear and props. But I know that M, who has a communication deficit, also has been having some anxiety issues. Knowing that my SpecialT families treasure those family (the whole family) photos, I chose to attack that first. I had everything set up before they arrived and put everyone in place for M’s anxiety had a chance to appear. And it worked. Beautiful family shot accomplished, then I just had to get the sprinkles on top.

It really truly pays to take that time to ask questions and plan your session with a special needs client.

Filed in: Autism | Children's Photographer | Corona Photographer | Family Photographer | Special Needs Photography
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3.5.13

Big-hearted photographers offering their gifts to others | Special Needs Photography

I know some pretty amazing and generous people, and I love it when those people choose to use those gifts to bless others. That’s what this post is about. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, I like to call it Autism Action Month when people actually do something for those who deal with this every single day. Let’s not just be aware, DO SOMETHING! So in that spirit, I asked the SpecialT network of photographers around the country if they would like to donate or discount their sessions or products and I am please to say that they answered the call.

Now if you are a photographer reading this post and are thinking, “Shoot, I should have done that.” It’s not too late. Simply CLICK HERE if you want to be part of this big-hearted network of photographers.

If you are already part of the network and are thinking, “Shoot, I forgot to get my donation/discount in!” It’s ok. You are still awesome for being a part of the SpecialT network and it’s not too late. Just CLICK HERE.

If you know a family with a special needs child and they are near one of these fabulous people, please pass this on! EVERYONE deserves to have beautiful memories on their walls.

Here are the awesome folks who are donating or discounting for families with a child with special needs. Please contact these photographers directly with questions and to book your session, or just to tell them how awesome they are.

 

South Windsor, CT: Sarah Cruz Photography is offering half off! $125 for 45 minute session, (1) 8×10, online gallery, and 3 digital images to decorate their social media. Other options also available.

 

Bristol, CT: All God’s Children is offering complimentary sessions! Rachel is an aspiring photographer who I (Marsha McNeely, founder of SpecialT) personally mentored. Please contact marsha@marshamcneely.com for Rachel’s contact information.

 

Mountain City, Georgia: Micah 6:8 Studios Photography is offering a $150 photo session for $25 for a family with a child with special needs. This will also include (4) 5×7′s and 50% off additional prints ordered.

 

Hospers, Iowa: Small Town Photography is offering 50% off session fee and 50% off any package for a family with a child with special needs.

 

Shelby Township, MI: A – Maes Photography is offering $15.00 session fee and it will include 5 – 10 free edited photos! (Photographer’s choice) to a family with a child with special needs. Other products also available.

 

New Jersey: Faith Bell Photography  is offering either 50% off your portrait package or $50 sitting fee for a family with a special needs child. Contact Faith about booking your session.

 

Rhode Island: KAJ Photography is offering 50% off any session fee as well as 50% off any prints after the session. Contact Keli to book your session.

 

Charleston, SC: Teresa Howell Photography of Charleston, SC is offering 50% off $100 45-minute session and includes 5 digital images. Other products available with 30% off discount.

 

Summerville, SC: InFaith Design & Photography is offering 50% session fee and it will include your choice of 1 digital file to a family with a child with special needs. Other products also available.

 

Murfreesboro, Tennessee: Little Lubby Dubby Photography is offering up to 3 FREE SESSIONS that will include a disc of 5-10 images for families with children with special needs.


Dallas, TX: Vickie Cunningham Photography is offering a 20% discount to her session fee and other options for a families with a child with autism. Please call Vickie for details and to book your session

 

 Stanton, VA: Christy McKee Photography is offering on complimentary session to a family with a child who has Autism during the month of April. Please contact Christy for details.

 

 

 

Filed in: ADHD | Autism | Children | Medically Fragile
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March 5, 2013 - 3:43 am

Teresa Howell - Hello, I would love to participate. I will gladly offer 50% off my $100 session fee and include five digital images.

Thank you!!

March 5, 2013 - 4:38 am

marsha - I just got your form Teresa! You are listed! And there is a post on fb about it.

March 6, 2013 - 1:38 am

Dana Napoleon - I’d love to offer a special next time you do this!

10.31.12

A little sensory fix and funny kids

Some of you will recognize this adorable family from last year. Three handsome boys and the sassy little blonde sister came out again this year for some more fun. Having high energy and being well dressed, they did not disappoint.

I’ll just let you peek at the images. Be sure to read the descriptions for my notes. Enjoy!

Happy kids laughing at mom who just scared them with my shark puppet.

More happy kids.

Now dad had the shark. All eyes up. All faces happy. This is what I call a miracle with 4 kids that are this young.

Found this awesome soft yet firm hedge. Nice backdrop, but also an AMAZING SENSORY opportunity.

Sinking into the hedge. Look at how relaxed his face became. Sweet sweet face.

And then he emerged with amazing eye contact and even threw me a little cheese!

Handsome and sweet oldest brother. He was quite the poser.

But then, the 4 small ones were over it. Mom and dad were totally cool. But the kids just cracked me up in this image. Not just one was done, but ALL of them. That’s life with kids.

Little pretty princess really wanted nothing to do with me today, but I LOVE this image of her. Can’t you just feel the 2 year old attitude!

She was trying her hardest to not let me catch her, but I did. She has no idea how persistent I am. Isn’t she adorable?

Once I got this little friend to slow down, he totally turned on the charm.

And onto the lollipop party. We ended last year with lollipops so why not bring them out again. Just fun and funny.

 

Filed in: Autism | Children's Photographer | Corona Photographer | Family Photographer | Special Needs Photography
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October 31, 2012 - 5:07 pm

Tracy - Amazing! Thank you!

10.2.12

Work fast or go home…

Meet N, their SpecialT.

This will be short and sweet. Sometimes my best advice to you is to just work fast. Capitalize on the few moments you can grab at the beginning, the end or anywhere in between where the child is engaged. And when it’s obvious that he is done, just end the session early and let the family be.  There’s no reason to put more stress on them by making them stay to try 10 other locations or poses. That’s how this session went. Thankfully, mom mentioned in passing that our little buddy here had a bit of a meltdown on the way to the session. Knowing that going in really helped me to hone in on his limits and not push it any further, especially for a medically fragile child.

In reality, we had about 10-15 minutes of workable time where he was happy and compliant and I grabbed every bit that I could. He’s such an adorable little guy. I really just wanted to capture a few sweet moments for his family and then let them be on their way.

After I released the gallery to the family, the mom left me a very sweet voicemail. I have no intention of deleting it.

Enjoy.

Sweet moment with mama.

Always always always focus on the sibling(s) for a bit. Let them shine.

Being a little coy.

Sweet family shot.

Monkey see. Monkey do.

And no session is complete without a tickle fight.A little brotherly reassurance.And here is his sweet speech therapist who hooked up for a very a special session. This woman has a heart of gold.

Filed in: Children's Photographer | Corona Photographer | Medically Fragile | Special Needs Photography
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