Getting a family portrait taken can be a challenge for any family, but add in a child on the autism spectrum or with other special needs, and things can quickly become chaos. That’s why it’s so important to have a photographer who not only has experience working with children, but one who also knows how to work with kids with special needs. Unfortunately, sometimes families with children who have special needs just give up on professional photography altogether.

But it’s not impossible to find the right photographer for your family. There are plenty of photographers out there who understand your family’s unique dynamic and are willing to work with your child. Here are some tips for finding the right person to take your family photos!

Start with recommendations

Chances are there are other parents in your circle dealing with the same thing. Talk to friends and family members who also have children with special needs and ask if they have any local photographers they would recommend. You can also check out Special Kids Photography of America, an organization that trains photographers to work with families to create the best possible photo session experience. Searching their directory for photographers in your area can get you started on finding the right photography for your family.

Spend time discussing specifics

Set up an in-person or phone interview with potential photographers to discuss the unique needs of your family and your child’s personality. Your first interaction with your photographer should definitely not be at your session, so if a photographer isn’t willing to meet with you before booking a session, they’re probably not the right one for you.

Find someone who will make accommodations

Your photographer should be willing and happy to make reasonable accommodations to make your child more comfortable. Whether that means having your session in a place that’s familiar to your child or meeting your child before the session to establish more of a relationship, the right photographer will be willing to go the extra mile to make sure things go smoothly and that you and your child are happy with both the session and the resulting images.

Ask about their previous experience

The ideal photographer to photograph your child with special needs is someone who has experience in doing just that. Be sure to ask any potential photographer about their previous experience with children with special needs and to view galleries of previous images to get a sense of the quality of their work.

Choose someone you feel comfortable with

The more comfortable you are with your photographer, the better chance you have of helping your child to feel comfortable. If you’re stressed and anxious, your child may sense that and grow nervous about the session. When you’re choosing a photographer, find someone who you can trust to be patient and kind, working with you and your child to get images you can cherish for years to come.