Need a Smile Family (Philadelphia Area Family Photographer)

What a joy it was to meet my second Need a Smile winners! Back in December they were nominated by a family member who had this to say:

"I am nominating my amazing sister, Jackie! She is a working mom of two, married to her high school sweetheart. He commutes almost two hours a day. They chose to have this commute so they would be closer to family, but needless to say it is difficult for both of them, and became even more difficult recently. Last year around this time my adorable little nephew Cole was diagnosed with autism. My sister and Michael have been through so much as a couple and have been sacrificing a lot for Cole's therapy treatments. They both are so giving of themselves and are doing everything they can so Cole has the therapy he needs. I always say I wish I could just do SOMETHING for them, so I am giving this a shot! Cole's big sister, Makenzie, is always looking out for her little brother and is such a joy to everyone. She lights up the room with her big smile and beautiful blue eyes! Cole just turned 2 in July and he has finally begun to walk without his medical walker and the joy to see him walk is priceless! My sister does the best she can to capture the everyday moments, and hasn't taken Cole for a portrait because it is such a challenge and, let's face it...how many kids really want to sit in the studios being forced to "smile!" She really wanted to have a family portrait done and thought the money should be used elsewhere...for Cole!"

This truly is a beautiful family! Their love for each other was evident and it has seriously taken me forever just to figure out which of their many touching and beautiful moments to put in this preview. Cole is a lucky little boy who will surely thrive because he is surrounded by devotion and love. And though I am sure that is true, I also know that the ones who will be truly blessed are those who have the pleasure of knowing and loving HIM.

Thank you for the pleasure of spending the morning together. I hope these images bring you the smile you deserve!


























A little information about Autism in case you were unaware:

* 1 in every 110 children are diagnosed with Autism. That makes it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

* Autism is 3-4 times more likely to strike boys (1 in about 70 boys are diagnosed).

* Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others

* There are several forms of Autism

If you would like to learn more, please visit the Autism Speaks page by clicking here.

If you would like to get involved in supporting the cause to raise awareness, support and research funding for Autism you can make a donation here or you can plan to participate in a walk.


If you live in the Philadelphia area there is a walk coming up at the end of September. More information can be found here.

The Beauty of Polly (Chester County Children's Photographer)

This is Polly. Polly is profoundly Autistic and I had the pleasure of meeting her and capturing her beauty while on my visit to Morgantown.

Polly is the daughter of my friend Richelle who I had not seen in over 15 years. Though she was struggling with some yet undiagnosed pain in her hips on that day, she still blessed us with her sweetness. Polly may not speak in words, but believe me, she speaks.


Richelle told me that Polly is her little angel. In her words, "Polly's autism has been a big struggle, but she has also brought me more joy than the average parent will ever experience with the hurdles she has had to overcome." What a blessing it was for me to get to see the special and loving bond they share, if only for a brief time.


A heavy thunderstorm had just passed on the afternoon of the session. Polly enjoyed moving her hand through the puddled water and playing in the wet sand of the sandbox.


We thought she would enjoy swinging in one of the hammock swings, but it was short lived because it aggravated her hip pain. She did manage to give me a little bit of a smile though in the very beginning.


And amazingly, that wasn't the only smile of the day. She was thoroughly enjoying sitting on the bench, tossing pebbles into the air.


She also really enjoyed the continuous clicking of my shutter. I think Polly may have a little supermodel in her!


She got to have a few pictures taken with her friend. Believe it or not, they are the same age!


I was thoroughly looking forward to this session because Richelle desired to have good pictures of Polly, but since she won't pose or sit still for a camera, traditional sessions never worked. That is a challenge I would take on any day.


Autism is a cause that is close to my heart. When I was still teaching I worked with a couple of students with Autism, and they forever changed me. It was tough work, but the accomplishments, milestones and triumphs were oh so sweet. I will never forget the subtle ways one of the boys would let me know that he appreciated my efforts to help him.

I hope Polly has touched your heart today. She certainly touched mine!


A little information about Autism in case you were unaware:

* 1 in every 150 children are diagnosed with Autism. That makes it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.

* Autism is 4 times more likely to strike boys

* Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others

* There are several forms of Autism

If you would like to learn more, please visit the Autism Speaks page by clicking here.

If you would like to get involved in supporting the cause to raise awareness, support and research funding for Autism you can make a donation here or you can plan to participate in a walk.


If you live in the Philadelphia area there is a walk coming up at Citizens Bank Park at the end of September. More information can be found here.

If you are in the West Virginia area, they have a walk in Wheeling in May and you can find more information here.


Thank you Richelle for sharing Polly with me! I was honored to get to photograph her. I hope you will cherish her beauty in this little preview.