ANTONELLA
Before every session, I make sure to speak with the staff and therapists to learn about any triggers unique to each child. At the ABA centers, where every child works one-on-one with a therapist, I have the unique opportunity to work beside the therapist and quickly earn the child's trust.
When I first met Antonella, I was warned that she wasn't comfortable around strangers and could be easily overwhelmed and spiral out of control within a matter of seconds. These are always my favorite kids to create with. One, I love a challenge, and two, I know that it has probably been almost impossible for the parents to have professional pictures of their child. I was told she understood both English and Spanish fluently. In that moment, I knew Spanish would be my bridge into her world. For the first few minutes, I simply sat beside her, held my camera gently so she could see it, and spoke softly in Spanish. Although she didn't respond verbally, her calm body language was a quiet affirmation to me that she felt safe. While she sat on the floor watching a Spanish cartoon on her iPad, I joined her, occasionally interjecting little phrases in Spanish.
Then, in a moment that will forever remain etched in my memory, after a few minutes of the cartoon, she signaled to her therapist using her communication cards that she needed to go to the restroom. Without hesitating, she reached out and took my hand, inviting me to walk with her. In that simple gesture from a child who doesn't like strangers, she welcomed me into her world—a trust so profound that no material wealth or fleeting fame could ever compare.
Antonella's day had been carefully planned out to give her the best opportunity for pictures—a lunch and a nap before our scheduled photo session. Unfortunately, as our session approached, something triggered her, sending her into a 45-minute spiral of distress. With remarkable patience, her therapists soothed her, and eventually, I returned to her room. There, I found her again, quietly absorbed in her cartoon, and so I started capturing these simple moments. When it was time to transition, her therapist gently brushed and styled her hair into beautiful interlocking ponytails. She sat so still and patiently, which gave me another opportunity to capture Antonella in her safe space. When she was promised a reward—a trip outside to enjoy a popsicle—her eyes lit up with excitement. Outside, the cool air and open space seemed to liberate her spirit. I trailed behind her, capturing the essence of freedom and pure bliss as she ran and played.
No matter how severe a child's disability may be, the child within remains vibrant and pure. The images I capture allow you, the viewer, to see these remarkable souls for who they are—beyond the limitations that might obscure their true selves.
**Click on each image to see the full composition**
