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Special Kids Photography of America (SPKA) began operation in 2000. The concept of training photographers to obtain beautiful images of children with special needs was conceived by Heidi Lewis, who experienced resistance and frustration when attempting to obtain a studio portrait of her one-year-old son, Taylor, born with a severe connective tissue disorder. Although she was eventually successful in convincing the photographer to take the picture, "studio stories" from other mothers with similar children made her acutely aware of the need for education and training of professional photographers from a parent's point of view..

Through generous sponsorship of Pacific Life Foundation and hosting by Epson America, Inc, the first pilot "Discovery Workshop" was debuted the next year at Epson headquarters in Long Beach, CA. Professional photographers, as well as care providers of special children were invited to attend and offer input in order to establish further goals and direction for the organization.

At the same time, the book, Photographing Children with Special Needs, researched and written by SKPA's co-founder, Karen Dórame, was published by Amherst Media. This valuable resource is used to educate photographers in achieving heart-warming images of children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and a number of other well-known conditions.

In addition to workshops for photographers, much of SKPA's attention is directed toward policy change in areas where special children might achieve increased visibility and positive acceptance in society. SKPA theorizes that if people can get used to beholding lovely images of children who have disabilities, they will not be so inclined to turn away when they see these beautiful children in person.

ARTICLE 2 of the Bylaws of Special Kids Photography of America
PURPOSES

  1. to train professional photographers in methods of photography that will better serve families of children with disability or serious illness;

  2. to influence policy change among the administrators of professional photography organizations to provide recognition and encourage improved [photographic] services to children with disabilities;

  3. to provide resources for parents who seek photographic services from professional photographers;

  4. to facilitate recognition and awards to photographers who have specific expertise in photographing children with special needs through special category photo contests and other achievements while working with special needs children as the focus;

  5. to network with photographic corporate merchandisers to provide support to and include recognition of, children with special needs;

  6. to provide awareness of special children to the public through inspiring photographic exhibits;

  7. to encourage production of books, videos and other products that will further the goals and objectives of Special Kids Photography of America;

  8. to encourage the inclusion of children with disabilities in print and electronic media;

  9. to promote and enhance the self-worth of children with disabilities and life-threatening illness.

Objectives of Special Kids Photography of America all include some type of photographic involvement; however, all we do benefits the special child and family:

  • Training. Training photographers in special techniques to photograph children with special needs

  • Referrals. Referrals of photographers who have had experience with special children

  • Resources. Resources that will aid in better understanding children with disabilities, including books and addresses

  • Exhibits. Photographic exhibits are planned for malls and airports in major cities.

  • Higher Visibility. Advocacy for increased "visibility" of special children through inclusion of their images in mainstream society

  • Financial Help to Low Income Families for Photographic Services. Our Smiles for Katie Memorial Program helps low income families obtain a professional photograph of their special child.

  • Book Placement. Awareness and sensitivity. Research shows that approximately 20 percent of the population has a disability of some kind. With that in mind, a certain percentage of a photographer's clientele will have a disability. Our main objectives include reaching out to photographers to inform them of the special photographic techniques that can be employed to photograph special children. One of SKPA's main objectives is to place a Photographing Children with Special Needs in every professional portrait studio.

Board of Directors

President of Board

  • Jennifer Turner
    President, Children & Family Portrait Photographers of America, Round Rock, TX

Members of the Board

  • Jamie Coonts, Parent of Special Child
    Parent to Parent Coordinator, The ARC, Snohomish Co., WA

  • Charles Foster
    Master Photographer, Photog. Craftsman, Cert. Prof. Photographer, Stafford, TX

  • Diane Graham
    Professional Photographer, Tucson, AZ

  • Kerri Kirshner
    Professional Photographer, Bothell, WA

  • Nancy Molder
    Principal, AZ Center for Comprehensive Learning & Lifeskills, Phoenix, AZ

  • Laura Popiel, Parent of Special Child
    Professional Photographer, Tomball, TX

  • Kathy Rock-Veylit
    Communications Manager, Dayle McIntosh Center, Garden Grove, CA

Executive Staff

  • Karen Dórame, Executive Director, St. George, UT

  • Cristine Baetz, Secretary, Royal Oak, MI

  • Terri Quinlan, Treasurer, Huntington Beach, CA

For additional information, contact info@specialkidsphotography.com