Why Documentary Photography Just Makes Sense for Neurodivergent Families

There’s a lot of things I don’t know in this world - but being unexpectedly thrust into the disability space, living with an extremely neurodivergent child, and learning how to exist within the tension between a neurotypical society and a neurodivergent reality… that’s something I know well.

It’s been a learning curve full of grief, surprise, joy, laughter, tears, and daily battles.

If there’s one thing I feel deep in my soul, it’s this: access to beautiful, emotional, REAL professional photography should not be one of those battles.

Let me tell you a bit about why I believe documentary photography is actually the unknown, surprisingly accessible, absolutely incredible, BEST way to photograph neurodivergent families.

The first - and most obvious - reason is that a documentary approach is hands-off. There is zero pressure and very few expectations. No direction required. No need to battle the PDA you child has. No need to change routines. No need to reason with a child who may not understand why they suddenly have to act a ‘certain way’ for a camera.

Got a kid with an ADHD brain who needs to move from activity to activity every ten seconds? Easy.
Someone in the house has an autism diagnosis and needs twenty minutes to warm up to a photographer in their space? No problem.

A documentary session is the least intrusive style of photography you can bring into your family life.

Secondly, capturing the way your world actually looks matters. I’m sure your family is chaotic, funny, messy, and deeply yours. That’s exactly what makes it special - so why try to mould it into something else?

A documentary session will feel more like you than anything a studio setup could capture, or a frolic on a cliff in matching white outfits could ever achieve. Sure, it looks different to what you see on Instagram… but we’re used to different at this point, aren’t we?

You’ve rolled with a diagnosis.
You’ve adjusted your life.
You’re making it up as you go.

A session like this doesn’t try to smooth that over - it celebrates who you are, as you are.

And finally, representation matters.

The reality of disability - the struggle, the joy, the achingly beautiful and deeply challenging parts - is wildly misunderstood. If you live with neurodivergence, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The way the world, the media, or even your Aunt Beryl understands neurodivergence is often completely off the mark.

It can be confronting to watch someone melt down for what looks like “no reason.”
It’s hard to witness a child struggle to eat a piece of food because it’s orange.
To need things a certain way - ways that are inconvenient, misunderstood, and labelled “not normal.”

But this is your life. This is your day to day.

It is beautiful.
Heartbreaking.
Exhausting.
Full of joy and fleeting connections.

Capturing that honestly - without judgement, without performance - fills me with purpose. Let photography show the world what your life actually looks like. Let it show that your family is no less beautiful than anyone else’s.

Show the screams.
Show the exhaustion.
Show the joy.
Show the connection.