lifestyle PHOTOGRAPHY


What it means to families to be truly inclusive


Hey friends!

Today I want to share about this sweet family that came in to my life via my own son's special needs. This mama was part of an Early Intervention team that came to support my son every week. She has her own son with special needs as well, and well, the rest is kind of history!

Colorful handprint wave pattern with multicolored palm prints flowing in a curved design on white background.
Joyful young person in a light gray t-shirt laughs while standing next to a wooden fence outdoors.
A young child wearing glasses, a white sweater and shorts stands on a path while gesturing with their hands.
A candid family moment captured outdoors with parents embracing their laughing child on a wooden bench.

After a few months of getting to know each other and having our weekly sessions with my son - we would often find ourselves chatting away about anything and everything. As moms do! I mean, we spent an hour together every week for a long time!


I remember her telling me how they were so excited for their family photos coming up. She mentioned they were going to be at a gorgeous location with a reputable photographer that came highly recommended by a friend. My ears perked up, naturally. I was so excited for them to be documenting their family - something I preach so hard and believe whole heartedly in doing every year (at LEAST)


Disappointment

Unfortunately, this sweet family was left feeling defeated. They explained how they hoped for more understanding, questions even, and thoughtfulness. I was so sad to hear about their experience and truly thought being inclusive and giving each and ever family 100% was just the norm. This was an eye opening experience, for them and myself. Our families deserve the same care, thought, time, patience, and beautiful photos as every other family.

A joyful moment captured outdoors in a grassy field showing a floral dress and sunglasses on a sunny day.

The birth of your inclusive photographer


Hearing this family's experience broke my heart. I mean it when I say that I had not given any real thought to the difficulties families like ours face when trying to simply get photos taken of their family - families who look different, who have kids with special needs, in wheelchairs, babies with feeding tubes. And while the experience was not ideal, I truly believe it was not ill intent of the photographer and that most humans at least want to be inclusive but may truly not know how.


And thus, a truly inclusive photographer was born.

I had already been sending questionnaires to my clients to get to know them better. This has been tremendously helpful for me and my families. I ask things like, "What kinds of things do your kids think are funny" because sometimes the fart jokes are not well received. Now I have added in something to the effect of, "Does your child react better to audible or visual stimulants" Cue the light up sphere or squawking chicken. I have always asked if anyone in the session has any injuries or limitations I need to consider, and now I have added a part that asks if mobility devices are used like wheelchairs or walkers.

A child in white outfit holding hands with two adults while walking on a tree-lined path with wooden fencing.

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“Jessica took our family pictures this year and I am nothing short of stunned. The amount of communication, care and compassion that went into this session was beyond anything I have ever experienced.


My son has cerebral palsy, global delay and can be a little challenging to get him to smile and she somehow captured smiles in every single photo! She was compassionate and listened to not only our needs but also nailed every photo vision I had.

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"I want people to know how the questionnaire prior to the session really made the session more seamless.


Jessica had all the gear to help capture his attention and knew more about him which allowed for pre planned poses and an easily accessible location"

A child wearing glasses, a white shirt and shorts stands on a path in an outdoor setting looking upward.
A heartwarming outdoor portrait showing an embrace between parent and child in a grassy field during summer.
A family shares a tender moment together on a path surrounded by greenery, with the child looking over a shoulder.
Child in a light colored shirt laughs joyfully while leaning against a wooden fence outdoors.
A touching mother and child moment in a grassy field, with sunglasses and a coral floral dress creating a warm summer scene.
Young child wearing a light gray t-shirt laughs joyfully while standing next to a wooden fence outdoors.
A family shares a joyful moment together while sitting on a wooden bench in a natural outdoor setting.
A young child in white summer clothing and sunglasses stands on a tree-lined path striking a playful pose.
A family walks together holding hands on a tree-lined path, with the parent on the left wearing a coral dress.
A parent and child dance and play together in a grassy field on a sunny afternoon.
A small child wearing white clothing and sunglasses strikes a confident pose on a tree-lined path.
A loving moment shared between parent and child embracing in a grassy meadow on a summer day.
Small child in glasses wearing a cream colored outfit stands with outstretched arms on a dirt path between wooden fences.
A young child wearing sunglasses and light colored clothing plays with someone in a floral orange dress in a grassy field.
A loving family enjoys a candid moment together while sitting in a sunny meadow with tall grass.