Photographing Kids with PDA & Autism: A Neurodivergent Friendly Session in Durham, NC

If you’ve ever worried that your child might not “cooperate” for photos, I want you to know this first: that’s not the goal.

This session in Durham reminded me exactly why.

A Neurodivergent Friendly Photographer in Durham, NC: Meeting Soren

Soren is nine. He loves The Beatles, long walks around his neighborhood, and spending time with his parents. He has a beautiful melodic voice and piercing eyes that clearly see the world around him. He’s also on the autism spectrum, has a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) diagnosis, and was diagnosed with Chronic Granulomatous Disease in 2017. After multiple bone marrow transplants, he’s now on a healing journey. And when I say his parents are INCREDIBLE, I don’t say that lightly.

I was so thrilled when his mom, Katrina (a highly regarded photographer and owner of Fifty Two Hundred Photo), reached out. Even from her first message, she shared something deeply personal. As a photographer herself, she told me that Soren no longer allows her to take photos of him, and that she felt like she was missing pieces of his life she once wasn’t sure she’d get to see.

That kind of message sits with you. Because these aren’t just photos. They’re proof of Soren’s mark on this earth.

Preparing for a Neurodivergent Friendly Photography Session

One of the biggest reasons this session worked so well came down to preparation.

Katrina did a beautiful job giving me insight into who Soren is. She told me what helps him feel safe, what makes him laugh, and how he responds to connection. She shared that he responds well when he can lead, when people are curious and willing to be a little silly, and when they make mistakes so he can correct them.

She also told me something practical and important. We might only get fifteen good minutes. We got over forty.

These kinds of family photo sessions don’t happen by accident. It happens when families feel supported and when the approach is built around the child, not expectations.

A Child-Led Session in Durham: Following Soren’s Lead

When I arrived that mid-afternoon, the light was soft and dappled through the trees. Their neighborhood is full of older homes, wide lots, and mature trees that create this quiet, shaded oasis. You could hear birds and a light breeze moving through everything.

Katrina and Soren met me outside and we immediately let him take the lead.

He showed me his front garden. Then he took me to his favorite street, Strawberry Lane, which we both agreed was funny because there are no strawberries there. He ran. He explored. He existed fully in his world, and I followed.

At one point, he asked for his mom’s phone so he could play The Beatles. I told him I liked Paul “Simmon,” just so he could correct me. It got me the big smile I was looking for.

But the most meaningful moment came when he was truly happy.

Katrina had told me that when Soren feels joy, he stims by jumping and flaping his hands. She said it would mean everything to her to have a photo of that.

And we got it.

Right there on the walk, with music playing and the trees overhead, Katrina gently prompted a moment she knew would feel good for him. And Soren jumped up and down, moving his hands, fully in his body and completely at ease. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t performative. It was actual happiness.

That’s the moment.

That’s always the moment.

What Makes a Neurodivergent Friendly Photographer in Durham, NC Different

There are a few things I intentionally did not do during this session.

I didn’t ask Soren to pose. I didn’t direct him into anything unnatural. I didn’t make demands.

Instead, I made suggestions, stayed curious, and paid attention to his cues. When he became more aware of my camera, I put it down. When he looked at me like I was an intruder, I gave him space.

And I trusted something important. If he hadn’t asked me to leave yet, I was still welcome.

That trust matters.

It’s the same approach I bring to every family I work with, whether your child identifies as neurodivergent or not. 

Knowing When the Session is Over (and Why That Matters)

After our walk, Soren showed me his recording studio. It’s a small shed transformed by Make-A-Wish into a space that feels entirely his. White walls, a wicker lamp, a bright rug, a lime green couch. It’s cozy and personal and full of creativity.

We spent a few quiet minutes there, and then Soren looked at me and said, clearly and confidently:

“I’d like for you to leave now.”

I. Was. Delighted.

Because what I saw in that moment was a child who understands his body and can communicate his needs. That’s something to celebrate.

A neurodivergent friendly photography session isn’t about pushing past limits. It’s about respecting them.

Why These Photos Matter More Than “Perfect”

After I delivered their gallery, Katrina texted me:

“Oh my goodness these photos! I love that you captured a happy photo of Soren stimming!!!! This feels like a miracle!!! I’m going to treasure these forever.”

She also wrote a Google review that meant so much to me, talking about how I met them where they were and found beauty in moments that didn’t feel traditionally “beautiful.”

That’s the work I want to be doing. 

If you’re looking for locations that naturally support calmer, more sensory-aware sessions, this guide might help.

A Different Kind of Family Photography Experience

The best sessions don’t come from controlling the moment. They come from stepping into it.

From letting your child show us who they are. From trusting that their way of moving through the world is enough. From understanding that the photos you’ll treasure most are the ones that feel like your real life.

If that’s the kind of experience you’ve been hoping for, you can explore more of my family work here.

And if this story resonated with you, I’d also encourage you to read more about how I create accessible, low-pressure sessions for families navigating similar experiences.