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Hearts and Lens has evolved from Special Kids Photography of America, founded in 2000 out of a mother's frustration when she attempted to obtain a professional portrait of her one-year-old son who was born with an obvious physical disability. She walked into the studio where the photographer took one puzzled look at the child then back at the mother, as if to say, "You want me to take a picture of him?" Needless to say, the child's mother was devastated. Throughout the next week, this young mother's frustration was filled with emotions of confusion, hurt and anger. That's when she bagan to formulate the idea to provide training to photographers who would benefit from the unique skills required for successsful photographic sessions with children who are seriously ill or have some other type of disability or sensitivity.
In 2022, Special Kids Photography program needed to grow. The disabled community no longer looks on "special" as a favorable term because that term sets people apart as a segregated element of the community. Along with a change in terms came the need for inclusion of all persons who can benefit from learning unique imaging considerations during a photo session.
Hearts and Lens provides training specifically designed to achieve successful results while working with persons who may have disorders that are commonly encountered by photographers. Hearts and Lens training provides targeted skills, knowlege and tools that provide aids that are adaptive and beneficial during every photo session, including those conducted with "typical" children and adults.
Since the time of the organization's inception in 2000, hundreds of photographers have been trained in the unique understanding of working with various disabilities common in our society. All photographers and interested parties can benefit from the educational books and tools available from this website. Our main mission is to represent parents to photographers, that they might have the training, understanding and tools that equate to improved photographic services to familes of children with special needs.
Why is specialized training important?
The percentage of persons with disabilities is higher than ever before. Autism, for instance (now called spectrum disorders), has grown dramatically in the last 50 years and continues to increase each year. This statistic should be reflected in a photographer's clientele. But why do so few parents have a beautiful portrait of their child who has a disabiity? It is mostly because parents have had less than pleasant experiences at a photo studio and have simply given up on finding someone who has the sensitivity and unique skills to work with their child in order to obtain desired results. Why can a photo session with a child who has a spectrum disorder be challenging? A photographer may be met with impaired development in social interaction, communication, and behavior. Preparing for this in advance allowes the session to go much smoother with parents a lot happier wit the results.
All families deserve a treasured portrait of their child
The portrait should capture the child's dignity, inner beauty or individual personality. This is especially important to families who experience public rejection on a daily basis. To cite an example, when a parent takes a child amputee to the mall, people can exhibit extreme behavior, such as staring or abruptly turning away. Imagine the amazing experience a photographer can provide a family by creating a portrait of their special child that will proudly hang on the wall of their home, making it possible for people to stare at their child for all the right reasons.
As an example, who would not want to stop and give admiring looks or provide endearing comments the child in the velvety maroon dress shown here? But wait a minute. Would it make a difference when people see she is missing an arm? Would that cause them to turn away instead of stopping to provide a pleasant greeting to a beautiful child? (Photo by Deguzis Photography)
Please enjoy and celebrate the beautiful images found on the pages of this website. Hearts and Lens welcomes you to become involved as a volunteer, advocate, passionate photographer or supporter. Hearts and Lens is recognized by the IRS as a charitable nonprofit organization. Donations are always welcomed. Choose an amount on our Store page.
