Autistic son

Regalpix wrote in post #7556223
Really like his expressions, both shots show off his personality!

I have a 4 year old autistic daughter, and sitting still is never an option. Lots of candids and many peaceful sleep poses.

Have fun with your new equipment!

AM

Thanks... I hope to... I guess I'll have to get a flash meter so that I'm not guessing at exposures... btw, there's nothing wrong with candids--sometimes they make the best captures, and even the world's best photographers take them regularly.

LBaldwin wrote in post #7556434
Hi Michael,

Sometimes the subjects expression says tons more than any possible photographic shortcomings. i think you have done well here.

BTW when I shot portraits for a living we used a squeeky toy or fav noise maker to get the childs attention, but the real key here is to use a remote cord (wireless if you can) to allow you get out from behind the camera during exposure. This way you can coach the subject better.

I do have a remote cord, but must admit I forgot all about using it for this shoot... The squeeky toy/noisemaker is also a good idea. Not sure it would work with my guy, but definitely something to keep in mind for others. Thanks for your kind words.

Here's another shot of all four of my kids... You can see his personality coming through again... This was supposed to be a serious shot... He just had to scream for joy...

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Great shots, I mostly lurk here but thought I would post here. I also have a boy, 12 years old, that is severely autistic, shooting photos of him is always a catch me if you can game; though I did get one today. You have done a phenomenal job on these photos. I like the new one of all the kids. His expression is great.

Good looking family overall Michael. I have four kids as well and would not trade any of them for the world. I'm sure that you feel the same......

What are you using as the backdrop in that photo?

When I shot for PCA (the same folks that did Wards - Kmart and several smaller stores, banks and churches we were taught what is called Childs Play. I have used those skills over and over to shoot folks from all walks of life, many with disabilities of one sort or another. Please understand that I mean no disrespect in that statement.

I cannot imagine what it must be like to have a child with this disability. As photographers we try and record what we see as best we can.

Childs play allows for the photographer to engage the subject at their "level" so that in a short space of time you can capture the subjects visage in a pleasing way. Every child is different, not everything works for each child. I had a shoot one time that still is as fresh a memory as this AM but was in fact shot nearly 20 years ago now. I had a good friend that had never had a formal family portrait done because she had two severely mentally disabled twin brothers in their early 40's. Speech from them was nearly impossible to understand, and they both wanted to keep an am radio in one ear and a flat personal massager in the other. Keeping them on the settee was nearly impossible.

But I wanted more. My goal was to get them both looking in the camera, both with smiles and no electronics held to their ears. I sat next to them for about 30 minutes after setting up my camera and lights and engaged them in thumb wrestling, finger jokes and what ever else I could think of leaving the squeekee toys as a last resort.

I arranged Mom and Dad, my friend and had them look ONLY at the camera and I would handle the brothers. Remember that the photographer needs to take TOTAL control of the shoot area or studio space. They must be "boss" at all times. More bosses means lost shots.

I started by playing a quick game of keep away with the radios and vibrators, and got a few shots but all but one had them looking off camera during exposure. So I gave them back and had them place the gear under their legs and hide it from me while I guessed where it was. Just when they thought it was funny, I hit the squeekee toy their heads shot up they smiled and I hit the shutter button. One shot one portrait. Mom and Dad now have a custom 30x40 mounted and framed over the fireplace.....

Just think outside the box and you will come up with ways to capture what you really want, good luck.

l0gden wrote in post #7558853
Great shots, I mostly lurk here but thought I would post here. I also have a boy, 12 years old, that is severely autistic, shooting photos of him is always a catch me if you can game; though I did get one today. You have done a phenomenal job on these photos. I like the new one of all the kids. His expression is great.

Checked out your shot... An excellent capture of a cute kid. He probably wouldn't want to be called cute, so let's just keep it our secret. Thanks for your comments.

bauerman wrote in post #7560197
Good looking family overall Michael. I have four kids as well and would not trade any of them for the world. I'm sure that you feel the same......

What are you using as the backdrop in that photo?

I used a paper backdrop--10ft colour is charcoal grey I think... If you want more specifics I'll go and get the exact info--manufacturer etc... And you're right--wouldn't trade them for the world.

LBaldwin wrote in post #7560561
When I shot for PCA (the same folks that did Wards - Kmart and several smaller stores, banks and churches we were taught what is called Childs Play. I have used those skills over and over to shoot folks from all walks of life, many with disabilities of one sort or another. Please understand that I mean no disrespect in that statement.

I cannot imagine what it must be like to have a child with this disability. As photographers we try and record what we see as best we can.

Childs play allows for the photographer to engage the subject at their "level" so that in a short space of time you can capture the subjects visage in a pleasing way. Every child is different, not everything works for each child. I had a shoot one time that still is as fresh a memory as this AM but was in fact shot nearly 20 years ago now. I had a good friend that had never had a formal family portrait done because she had two severely mentally disabled twin brothers in their early 40's. Speech from them was nearly impossible to understand, and they both wanted to keep an am radio in one ear and a flat personal massager in the other. Keeping them on the settee was nearly impossible.

But I wanted more. My goal was to get them both looking in the camera, both with smiles and no electronics held to their ears. I sat next to them for about 30 minutes after setting up my camera and lights and engaged them in thumb wrestling, finger jokes and what ever else I could think of leaving the squeekee toys as a last resort.

I arranged Mom and Dad, my friend and had them look ONLY at the camera and I would handle the brothers. Remember that the photographer needs to take TOTAL control of the shoot area or studio space. They must be "boss" at all times. More bosses means lost shots.

I started by playing a quick game of keep away with the radios and vibrators, and got a few shots but all but one had them looking off camera during exposure. So I gave them back and had them place the gear under their legs and hide it from me while I guessed where it was. Just when they thought it was funny, I hit the squeekee toy their heads shot up they smiled and I hit the shutter button. One shot one portrait. Mom and Dad now have a custom 30x40 mounted and framed over the fireplace.....

Just think outside the box and you will come up with ways to capture what you really want, good luck.

Mr. Baldwin, you sound like a gifted photographer. I'm sure many people are pleased as punch to have your efforts hanging on their walls. Thanks for the tips and ideas.

Michael, try whispering.... see what happens to the expressions. Good luck

Really nice shots of your family Michael, it can be challenging to get shots of someone with Autism or Aspergers. I look at what we get from our 11 year old aspergers daughter as special no matter what I get. Does you son have a quiet mood or is he on the go all the time, our daughter has active moods, sad moods and reflective moods. I usually attempt to shoot when she is in one of her reflective periods (they can be fleeting)

This is the best one so far.

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Great stuff you all have gotten. I work with adults who have any number of developmental disabilities including autism and aspergers. For me, candid shots of them doing what they enjoy is the best way for me to capture their personalities. I do annual portraits, but they never seem to come out as well as the candids.

Would that have been the thread about my son, Matthies? Nice to know indeed that there's more of us struggling at times with the whole situation. Thanks for sharing.

@Wardie, stunning photograph. It's quite unusual for a girl to have ASD which makes the photo even more special. My son (Matthies) has high-functioning ASD and is way ahead of his peers (he's 4 and already busy with particle physics, I kid you not!). So far he's always been a very happy kid, no violence but the odd tantrum of course (like any other kid). I can't imagine what he will be like when he's 11 years old...

LBaldwin wrote in post #7569757
Michael, try whispering.... see what happens to the expressions. Good luck

Another good idea...

wardie wrote in post #7570242
Really nice shots of your family Michael, it can be challenging to get shots of someone with Autism or Aspergers. I look at what we get from our 11 year old aspergers daughter as special no matter what I get. Does you son have a quiet mood or is he on the go all the time, our daughter has active moods, sad moods and reflective moods. I usually attempt to shoot when she is in one of her reflective periods (they can be fleeting)

This is the best one so far.

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Warm Wishes to all here blessed with these special kids.

Nice shot... she looks all grown up... Thanks for sharing

Skrim17 wrote in post #7570255
Great stuff you all have gotten. I work with adults who have any number of developmental disabilities including autism and aspergers. For me, candid shots of them doing what they enjoy is the best way for me to capture their personalities. I do annual portraits, but they never seem to come out as well as the candids.

Candids are great, but it's nice to have those posed portraits too... They can be a challenge... Thanks

cherrym wrote in post #7570313
Would that have been the thread about my son, Matthies? Nice to know indeed that there's more of us struggling at times with the whole situation. Thanks for sharing.

It was indeed... Thanks.

cherrym wrote in post #7570358
@Wardie, stunning photograph. It's quite unusual for a girl to have ASD which makes the photo even more special. My son (Matthies) has high-functioning ASD and is way ahead of his peers (he's 4 and already busy with particle physics, I kid you not!). So far he's always been a very happy kid, no violence but the odd tantrum of course (like any other kid). I can't imagine what he will be like when he's 11 years old...

Stunning indeed...

They both are beautiful! I really like the second shot!

ohtography wrote in post #12675462
They both are beautiful! I really like the second shot!

Thanks for your kind words... These are old shots now--I thought the post might have gone to that great post keeper in the sky...lol

Your son is a cutie (yea old pics but he's still cute I bet!)

Autistic kids can be hard ones to crack .... I know! My oldest is autistic and when I get photos like these:

These are all great shots, I'm the proud father of a son with ASD/Aspergers. Here's a shot that I was able to get him smiling...