I made my way through the loungeroom, then sat myself at the table. It wasn’t long before I was greeted by a hug. You know, the there-are-arms-wrapped-tight-around-my-neck-and-I’m-not-sure-how-long-I-should-hug-back-before-pulling-away-but-I’ll-enjoy-it-in-the-meantime type hugs. And I did enjoy it. She gave a great hug – definately a wonderful way to get the session started.
Emily has Global Develpoment Delay, and also has ASD tendencies. Her way of showing acceptance of me was to hug me, nice and tight. A genuine, motiveless, nice and tight hug. What a great way of saying to someone, you know - I really am happy to have you in my space. I’m very tempted to remember it myself for future meetings – if only we weren’t all so un-selfconscious as Emily.
Emily’s mother applied recently for a session, through the The Littlest Heroes Project. Towards the end of the session yesterday she showed me the last ‘decent’ photograph they had of Emily, taken four years ago. I felt so sad for them, in the sense that there was a whole chunk of Emily’s life that they’d not been able to capture, and record, and recall the moments of joy that had been. And I’m sure there were plenty of those moments. Despite Emily’s inability to express herself, as you or I might, there was definately a visible happiness, a calm in her spirit. She is truly beautiful, inside and out. Actually, flicking through the photographs last night, I was surprised at just how lovely she looked. At just seven years of age she has a beauty and grace well beyond her years. And it was an absolute pleasure to be able to capture that for her family.
As a charity session, not only was the session time and fee donated, but they will also receive all the digital files on disc to keep for themselves, as well as a print of each of the images. It is a tremendous blessing on my part to be able to do this for them. They’ve missed out on four years already, having other issues and priorities to focus on. It would make me incredibly sad if I weren’t able to offer something that I take for granted in order that they don’t miss out on another year.
If you, or a young child or person (under the age of 21) you know is currently fighting, or has fought, or suffers from any serious childhood disease or life-altering disability please get in touch with the team from The Littlest Heroes Project. Once your application is accepted they’ll be more than happy to put you in touch with a local photographer who will, in turn, be tremendously blessed to be able to offer his or her time.
Below are some of the images from Emily’s session. I love each and every one of them. I especially love the last set of four though, taken at the end of the morning as we were winding up. Emily’s brother, Aaron, had been determined to get in the shots the whole morning, and I’d promised him his turn when Emily’s was over. I’m so glad that I got to capture the two of them together. There was such an obvious bond between her and her older brother. It was precious to see. It makes my heart very happy indeed.
Narrelle x
{ Children’s Photographer Melbourne }
