01/11/2024
This has been a long time coming I feel like…
One thing I’ve learned since becoming a mother, especially to a medically complex child with a genetic difference, it is that photos are PRICELESS. Children change and grow so incredibly quickly. My passion has always been to capture a moment in time with my photographs, so that you may have a return ticket back to that exact moment. When you look at that image I want you to be transported back to those feelings and emotions that I captured. Images tell your families story. They are lasting memories of moments in time spent with those you love dearly.
What I want you to know most about me is that I am a mother, but I am also a wife, a caring friend, a passionate advocate for the medically fragile and the Down syndrome community, a fierce representative for change surrounding a genetic difference diagnosis within hospital systems, and a photographer. Those are my superpowers. I juggle many hats and nearly all of them surround this medical momma journey. So it’s only fitting that I make this change in my business.
Over the last two years since having Elijah, our son with Trisomy21, I have been shifting my business to cater towards medically complex/disabled children and families like ours. The time has come that I have decided to solely hone in on specializing in medically complex portraiture. What does this mean? That means that moving forward all of my services will cater to the medically complex/disabled/neurodivergent communities. I will no longer be offering certain services which I have previously offered.
I have decided that what truly brings me joy behind the camera is watching the joy on the faces of children and families who have not necessarily experienced the “typical” childhood. The children who don’t necessarily get to experience Santa Claus the same way, or the Easter bunny the same way as non-medically complex children do.
I have strived for a very long time to capture the unique beauty of all individuals. That passion has only been further ignited by being immersed in the medically complex/disabled and neurodivergent communities. Many of you have seen my images of our local Down syndrome community, my Santa sessions for medically complex children, my sensory friendly sessions which offer lower stimulation in a safe environment, my volunteer work with Family Connections for their Look! Project, and our videography services for local advocacy organizations. Those are things I am incredibly proud of and those are the things that truly bring me joy when I pick up my cameras.
In the over 15 years I have been behind the camera, nothing has sparked such passion, as when I am photographing a child or their family who is otherwise viewed by society as different. Medically complex children and individuals deserve to have beautiful images of themselves. Their families deserve to have beautiful artwork of their most precious memories. Their families deserve to have beautiful images where their loved one is seen first as an individual and not a diagnosis. They deserve someone who can see and capture their unique beauty and not shy away from equipment or devices that enable that individual to live their best life. The families of medically complex/disabled individuals deserve a service provider who understands the unique circumstances surrounding everyday life. Being a medically complex mom I know first hand just how difficult it can be to trust someone with capturing their child’s image. I understand just how unpredictable this medically complex journey can be. How things can change at a moments notice. Medically complex/disabled individuals are often dealing with hectic therapy schedules, specialist appointments, and doctor visits all while worrying about air quality reports, respiratory illness numbers, germ exposure, and so many other things that obtaining quality images of their loved ones often times takes a back seat. I get that!
Not many in the field of photography specialize in this category. I want to be the photographer people trust to capture those precious memories because I live the same life. I understand all of the challenges and I embrace them and see the beauty in them. My studio will continue to be welcoming of individuals of all abilities and is ADA compliant.
What is changing within my business structure is that some of my previously offered services will no longer be available for booking. My sessions moving forward will solely cater to families like mine. This change will allow me to focus on giving parents and caregivers a priceless treasure. A special gift to those who give so much of themselves to provide safe, healthy, and happy lives to their loved ones that depend on them most. This change will allow me to continue to feed my passion for photography while “balancing” this medical momma life. I appreciate you taking the time to read this announcement and I hope you support the shift in how we operate here.
If you are the parent or caregiver of a medically complex/disabled or neurodivergent individual I’m here for you and I cannot wait to help you capture beautiful images of your loved one.
Love from your medical mom tog,
Laurin ❤️
