Some Considerations for Participants of Beach Photo Sessions Involving Blind and/or Autistic People

St. George Island, Florida, with its pristine beaches and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, is a favorite destination for many looking to preserve their beautiful moments with a portrait photo session by a professional photographer.

Blind and autistic people have specific sensory and communication needs that can make a photo session more challenging, particularly on a beach. Understanding these needs can be helpful for creating a successful and enjoyable experience.

During two sessions on two days (one at sunset and another at sunrise), my assistant and I at Big Camera had the unique opportunity to photograph a family of four that included two adult sons; both of whom were blind and autistic. From this experience, I am sharing some unique considerations when planning to participate in such a session, regardless of which side of the camera you may be on.

Communication

It’s important to understand that autism is a spectrum condition, meaning that autistic people have a broad range of strengths, as well as challenges. I never believe any photo session to be “one size fits all” and this is particularly true when planning and participating in a session involving autistic and blind individuals.

Strategies to Overcome Communication Barriers:

1. Pre-Session: Have some form of meeting before the session to discuss preferences and any specific communication methods that work best for the individual(s). Take the following example from our experience. One of the sons had fewer support needs than his older sibling. In addition, the brother with more support needs had great sensitivity to light, although blind. Communicating these uniquenesses before the photo session to your photographer gives them information that they can use to help facilitate the photography. This is a good time to discuss whether or not it’s OK for the photographer or assistant to use touch cues to help pose people, as well as address any other concerns someone may have.

2. Clear Instructions: As a photographer, use clear, concise language and provide instructions one step at a time. Some autistic people may have difficulty understanding or following verbal instructions while others may be one step ahead. Try prompting clients to turn their heads and eyes to the sound of your voice, but realize they may not know exactly where you are especially on the beach. Some sighted autistic people may respond better to visual cues. Counting down (or up) in threes can be useful so the person knows when it’s time to release from a pose. If using a second photographer, it may be best to limit the instructions from only one photog during the entire session to avoid confusion. Patience here is key.

3. Physical Guidance: As in any situation, only if this is something agreed to before hand, guide them using touch to position them correctly.  For us, what worked best was when the parents helped physically guide.

Sensory Overload

A beach environment filled with various stimuli, such as the sounds of other beach goers, the feel of sand, and the brightness of the sun can be overwhelming for autistic individuals, especially when combined with blindness, as they rely more heavily on their other senses. Recall my example above where we discovered one brother was particularly sensitive to light intensity. In fact, bright light was painful for him, so it’s important to take these factors into consideration when chasing light.

Tips to Manage Sensory Overload:

1. Choose the Right Time and Place: Opt for early morning or late afternoon sessions when the beach is less crowded, and the sunlight is softer. Clouds can be your friend too; photography 101. Plan the session in a less crowded area if possible.

2. Comfort Items: Bring items that the individual finds comforting, such as a favorite item to help ease anxiety. In some cases, the item may not even have to be visible or prominent in the frame, or you may choose to feature it as a prop relevant to the individual’s story.

3. Utilizing Adaptive Equipment: Using cameras with audio cues can help blind subjects understand when a photo is being taken. Alternatively, there may be situations where the sound of the camera is hindering, so it could be best to capture in silent mode. Perhaps the short bursts of a flash are more tolerable than the light of the sun in a particular location.

Physical Navigation

Navigating the beach can be particularly challenging for blind individuals. The uneven terrain, shifting sand, and obstacles such as shells require consideration.

Tips for Safe Navigation:

1. Guide Support: Ensure a guide is present to assist with walking and to describe surroundings.

2. Safe Pathways: Establish clear, obstacle-free pathways for easier movement.

3. Assistive Devices: Utilize assistive devices like canes specifically designed for beach use.

Capturing the Moment

Despite these unique challenges, great images are waiting to be made with patience and creativity. Participants and photogs should focus on fostering a relaxed and supportive atmosphere, encouraging natural interactions and genuine expressions.

Enhancing the Photo Session Experience:

1. Engage the Senses: Use sensory cues, like the sound of the waves or the feel of the sand, to elicit natural reactions and emotions. For example, be ready for that first reaction when the first rogue wave finds bare feet.

2. Focus on Interaction: Capture moments of interaction with loved ones or with the environment to reflect personalities.

3. Be Patient and Flexible: Allow for breaks and be prepared to adapt the session based on comfort and needs. If you notice that posing in place is not making the photo you want, consider taking photos of a walk on the beach or a play in the sand.

4. Adjust Your Position: As a photog photographing groups that include blind individual(s), eye directions may not be all be the same. If this is important, photographers could move into the averted eye direction and ask the others in the pose to adjust.

5. Consider a Reward: On St. George Island, like many beach destinations, there are plenty of opportunities to offer a treat after the photo session. Perhaps the promise of a cold ice cream, a trip through the candy aisles, or a delicious breakfast is just what is needed.

Conclusion

It’s good to remember that photography is an art. And considering every person, couple, family, or group is unique, their photographs can be too.

With the right preparation and understanding, photo sessions on alluring beaches such as those at St. George Island, Florida, can be a rewarding experience for everyone, including blind and autistic individuals. By addressing sensory needs, communication barriers, and physical navigation challenges, photographers can create an inclusive environment that helps capture cherished memories.