Photographing Autism

Most of us are inspired by our children. However, that inspiration takes on a new meaning when you are capturing the brief moments of a genuine smile or emotion from a child with autism. No one knows that better than Jaime Lackey of Jaime Lackey Photography.

Jaime was inspired to pick up the camera as a way to document and communicate with her daughter. Maddux stopped talking when she was 15 months old. Jaime decided to take photos of things and people as a way to talk to her daughter.

“I would show the photos to Maddux and Maddux would be able to point and tell me what she wanted. I never intended on doing this as a profession. However, friends and family started asking me to take photos and it took off from there,” Jaime said.

You can read more of Maddux’s story here. Also, be sure to check out Jaime’s work below and on her photography blog here.

I had the opportunity to talk with Jaime about her photography journey and how her daughter inspires her to take photos of other families and kids.  Below is what she had to say…

Tell me about how your daughter, who has autism, inspires you and your photography? I think my photography is derived from the moments I capture. The moments when Maddux is upset, sad or has pure elation, all I can think is, “where is my camera?” I want to capture that exact moment because the moments don’t last long but the photo will be there to remind me of that moment and what was felt in that moment. I try to take that with me into every photo session I do. I love to capture those times when no one thinks I am watching. When a dad has to step aside with a child that is not wanting his picture taken and they think I am working with the other members of the family. The dad cheers up the little boy and they don’t realize it but that is the moment I am capturing with my camera.

As a mom, how do you prepare a child with special needs for a photo shoot? I think the most important thing for parents of a special needs child to do before a photo shoot, is to inform the photographer as much as possible. Tell the photographer all about your child. What makes them happy, what makes them sad, the child’s likes and dislikes. The more knowledge the photographer has, the better. And don’t bring stress to the shoot. Be relaxed!

As a photographer, are their any tips you can share on how to photograph kids with special needs? Again, find out from the parents as much as you can before hand. I usually do a phone consultation and ask all kinds of questions about the child. I also suggest that parents bring toys or whatever will keep the child happy and calm to the photo shoot. I also take the families to familiar locations. If there is a sibling, I generally start the session with them. This allows the special needs child to watch and see what is going to happen. They then generally join in on their own once they are comfortable with the situation.

I’ve read on your blog how you get a “smile with purpose.”  Can you share with us your feelings the first time you got your daughter to look at the camera and “smile with purpose?” There really are no words to express it.  Most of Maddux’s reactions are taught so I don’t get genuine reactions a lot.  But there is a certain laugh or a certain smile that is past the autism.  The reactions that come without reason are the ones you know are real.  It is such a quick moment and it doesn’t last long but in that split-second moment, you know all the work, therapy, special diets and more are all worth it.  And to be able to capture that moment with my camera is priceless!

Tell me about how you are able to show the love families have for each other through your photography.  I usually tell parents to come prepared with stories and jokes of their own.  I can tell a joke but somehow it doesn’t quite have the same effect on the seven-year-old boy that I just met.  He sort of looks at you like you are a dork.  But if mom or dad, tell a story that gets him excited and they all start laughing, that is when I know I am getting real emotion.  Or if I am photographing a newborn that gets upset, I tell the mom to take the baby over by the window and calm him or her down.  It is something that happens naturally when she thinks she isn’t being photographed.  The way she hugs the baby close and dances with him or her without realizing I’m taking photos.  That is the real love they have for each other.

What is the most rewarding thing for you about being a photographer? I have a weird obsession with photos!  I love them!  I love those images that you look at and have the emotions as if you were the parent of that child.  The photos that bring tears to my clients eyes when they realize that I captured something between them and their child that they didn’t even realize had happened during the shoot.  I love the tender moments and seeing the love between my families.  Seeing the love and the reactions to those photos are why I love being a photographer.

What is the most rewarding thing for you about being a mother? I love the fact that I made these two people.  They are mine and I have taken them from tiny babies to the people they are today.  They are truly good kids and I am proud that I have had something to do with that.  Maddux (9) is a daddy’s girl.  She is strong-willed and she is also the best friend anyone could ever have.  She doesn’t know how to be judgmental.  Cade (5) is tenderhearted like me.  If someone else is sad or crying, he cries.  He is definitely mommy’s boy.  I love these qualities in my children and I love that I helped them become who they are.