Friday 27 July 2018

Capturing photos of our kids

Photo by Claire Ansell

It's the end of the school year.  The obligatory school photograph has been ordered.  But honestly our kids never look great in them.  The staging of photos is not something that works well with either of our autistic boys and as they are growing I'm aware that if we are going to record their history in photographic evidence, we can't rely on posed shots at school or necessarily on holiday either.

Like so many things, our autistic kids need something that works around them.  When we are out on holiday we find that we are either looking out for them or that they don't really fancy the idea of waiting while we take photos.

Some of our best shots of them are 'on the hoof' when we manage to grab a photo in a time of quiet. I'd be lost without Chatbooks!  This basically means photos actually get printed so we can look at them.  The proliferation of photos and storage means I've got files all over the place and this at least means I get to see some of them!

But on flicking through the Chatbooks I often notice I'm missing.  I'm taking the photos.  So we've tried to also organise a photographer to capture our family too.  When they were very young we went for a few photo shoots at studios and discovered that these didn't really work.  The place was unfamiliar and the brights lights distracting.  David would often hide behind the back ground screens instead of sitting in front.

Family Photo by Claire Ansell

We found the best thing was to look for a photographer who could work around us.  We looked for a local photographer online.  There's plenty places to look; websites, facebook or Bidvine can help find local family portrait photographers and compare their ratings too.  We found Claire through an online recommendation.  Claire was local to us, seemed to be relaxed, and interested in helping us work around the family's needs.

Claire came to our home and met the family before simply joining us on a walk in our local park - where our family frequents.

This gave our kids a few minutes to adjust and understand that Claire was coming with us.  It made a huge difference to have the shoot run on our terms.  I've got some beautiful shots of the family that I can not only Chatbook, but put on the wall as well.

Our family may be a little different, but I want to capture every moment too.  And like so many things, it's just about working around what we need and... boom... there's a gorgeous photo.   Thanks to Claire Ansell for allowing us to share the beautiful shots of our family included here.

How do you manage to keep up with photos of the family?



Claire took photos of our family last year in Bushy Park.  We paid for her services but are so delighted with the result we are happy to include her shots and link to her Facebook page above.  A little change in her working made a huge difference to us.  Thank you. 

12 comments:

  1. Lovely photos, I totally agree that family photos are best unposed, you have to be a natural to look good when asked to stand and smile. We certainly can't! #KCACOLS

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  2. I will have to check out chattbooks. #KCACOLS
    Tracy www.viewfromthebeachchair.com

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    1. Do - it's awesome. Just filled another one.

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  3. This is so true, I love taking photos especially of my family but sadly I am rarely in them. My lovely boy has got a fenomenal memory when it comes to books and study but he is not able recollect/find anything in the house or what he has done the day before so photos & diary are the only way he can recall happy memories, would be nice if I would be in those memories and not just the behind the scenes.

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    1. It would - as you are pretty important to him. xxx

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  4. Agreed! Most enjoy family shots that capture a memory made! #KCACOLS Lovely photos! xoxo

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  5. I try my best to make a photo album once a year and in between then take photos of everyone but it's so hard to remember! #kcacols

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  6. How true! Family photos capture today's little moments that become tomorrow's precious memories.

    #kcacols

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  7. It's lovely to have natural family photos and this one is beautiful. We should make more effort to have actual family ones done. I've made a note to sort one or two out! #kcacols

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  8. Wow looks like a lovely way to treasure those memories as your family grows together! Thank you so much for linking up to #KCACOLS. Hope to see you again next time!

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  9. I love these natural looking photos I've seen other people take on my Facebook and insta, unfortunately getting my kids to coordinate is like getting a polar bear to sit still in a sauna - it would be lovely to capture photos as well as other bloggers! #KCACOLS

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  10. We've had family photos in Bushy Park too - such a lovely spot! #KCACOLS

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