**should I move this to somewhere off topic?** (sorry, that occurred to me after I hit 'submit')
This is totally about me. You've been warned!

I'm a photographer. I started with preschool in-school portraits, then went to a studio that was a specialty kiddie studio, then went to a studio that was very unspecialized (I shot business headshots, graduation portraits, bridal shoots, families, maternity, you name it, we did it).

Now that I have the squirt, I'd like to start some freelancing. Sometime. Maybe a lot later, maybe sooner. I'm not really sure yet. Regardless, I'm curious about something and you guys can help me out.

Would you, as a parent to a special needs kid, be interested in a photographer that specialized in special needs kids? It might be a stupid question. I really don't know if that's something that people would like. In my head it sounds like a good idea.

What do you think? I'd LOVE to hear your opinions, guys.
stephanie

I KNOW THAT I WOULD. I HAVE YET TO GET RILEIGH'S PICS DONE PROFESSIONALLY BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT SHE WILL FALL OFF OF THE "SET". IT IS ALSO HARD TO GET HER ATTENTION SOMETIMES. I WOULD ALSO LOVE TO GET A FEW PICS OF HER SMILING WITHOUT THAT OLE DARN TONGUE STICKING OUT IT SOMETIMES TAKES ALOT OF PATIENTS WITH OUR KIDS AND I WORRY THAT A PHOTOGRAPHER AT A STUDIO MAY BECOME TOO FRUSTRATED WITH US!!

Did you know there is a photographer organization that specifically specializes in special needs????? YEAH! I have the link somewhere....I'll see if I can find it! It DOES take a special talent. Angela has YET to have a decent school picture unless I go myself and tell the person how to do it!

Here it is! Special Kids Photograph of America!
http://www.specialkidsphotography.com/index.htm

They also have a directory of photographers who've been trained by them. I see there's one not far from me! I'm going to call them up!

I think it would be a great idea to specialize like that! Please do it! Have you seen the photos of wumbs daughter taken by her photographer friend that specializes in photos of kids with Ds, they are breathtaking.

Love that link, Leah! Thanks for finding it!

I love this idea! I ususally have ok luck with Hannah's pictures but it is only because I am right there with her and helping to pose her and such. It is becoming an issue because often the photographer does not understand her limitations(such as Hannah's patience level and wanting her to pose in ways she is not comfortable with) I hate her school pictures because she never smiles in them(we will see this year-they were just taken)I think you would be good at it as you have an "insiders" view.

Thanks for the SPKA link- that's a really cool organization, and I'm looking into their accreditation process now!

I'm glad to hear that I wasn't inventing a convenient niche market, ya know? Sometimes things that sound like a good idea in my head kinda fall flat in real life...

Our EI and I were talking about it very, very briefly last week, and she's willing to pass my name to the people who might be interested that she knows. Ooooh, this is exciting!

steph

You brought up a topic I need to ask about. I think a specialty photographer is brilliant!!! Nicholas was fortunate in having a professional picture done at 6 months. It was done at our children's hospital free of charge by a specialty photo group called Heart Works. www.heartworksphoto.org/html
They are a charity organization. They go to hospitals and take pictures of children that are hospital bound and/or not going home. They also airbrush things out - like NG/NJ tubes, wires, etc. When we had ours done, there was a flier saying that they were trying to get regional photographers for hospitals. I don't know if it is what you were looking for, but thought I'd put it out there.

I took Joel in for his 3 month photos to Sears. The photos turned out good (2 of the black and whites are below) but we were there 2 hours and yes... the photographer put Joel in a chair on the ground and he fell face first on the floor. Later that day, I found a special needs photographer through our local support group website. I will be going to her next time. I think that is a great idea that this is something you want to do ~ and team up with your local group so others can find out about you easily.

Yes, I think this is a great idea! We have a local guy who is a father to a boy with DS and he is a great photographer as well! He does all the shoots for our local DS group and I know a lot of families use him privately as well because he has the patience to work with our kids and get great shots! Good luck! I want your job!!! LOL

I think iits a great idea..i remember when Abbey went for her first photos at a studio...i was worried because they make you pick your free photo when they are taken , or they choose..
And Abbey has so many unusual expressions!!!
I especially like her cross eyed look..But not in a photo.

They were very good with her, but i had to let them know she couldn,t sit in a big chair or be left on a display too long as she would topple off, and that she did not understand turn this way etc.

Good Luck ..

Yes I would! You need to check out the book "Photographing Children with Special Needs". There are lots of awesome tricks and tips in there! Good luck!

Renee, it's funny you mention that- I JUST bought it. Like two days ago.

steph

wooohooo Good choice!! I got it just for taking snapshots... Kameron can be such a HARD shot sometimes!