The joy of photographing in a Special Needs School
The world can be a challenging place. To be deemed “different” in any sense, means you will likely face even steeper and more frequent challenges than the “average” person, or someone who looks like “the norm”.
It’s not surprising then that sometimes when we photograph in a Special Needs School as a CO Kids Photographer we’ll see behaviour that is a result of confusion, frustration, and anger. There is no judging here, only respect for a child whose battles are what I, nor anyone else other than them, can imagine.
Equally we also witness and experience the most affectionate and heartwarming of moments; the Autumnal months have been busy with visits and returns to schools we have visited for many years now …
I bump into Joe who told me;
“Carrie did you know you’ve been coming to photograph me at School since the12th September 2017! What’s your Mum's date of birth and I’ll tell you how old she is?”
T’ea who linked arms with me as I photographed and who held onto me close for a short while, because as Miss Taylor says “that’s what she does.”
Romeo’s smile appearing as as he realises the camera is upon him.
Mason who wanted to be photographed exactly where his more mobile friends were photographed in Forest School, even if it meant he had to take his walker across difficult terrain.
The children we work with deserve everything the world has to offer.
And lastly I photograph amazing Ibrahim as he scales the wooden climbing frame, laughing out loud as his teacher chases him, forgetting in that moment about all life’s challenges and unable to contain a smile that beams so beautifully bright that not just me, but all in the playground must have seen.
Several years on now from our first Special Needs School shoot I and the team continue to put everything into giving every child the best photograph they deserve.
Huge shout out to all in the the school community at in particular Slated Row, Southall, The Walnuts , White Spires Special Needs Schools.
For more information on CO Kids Children’s Photography in Special Needs Schools click here.
