Photographer Gives Away Free Photo Shoots to Special Needs Children and Shows the Face of True Beauty

Maryland photographer Stephanie Smith started out doing traditional photo shoots, but it didn’t take long for her to find another photography niche. After discovering that a photographer had turned down a client because she had a disability, Smith decided she had to help in some way.

An office manager by day, Smith started doing photography work in the evenings because she enjoyed it so much. Although she charges around $125 an hour for her professional services, Smith posted on Facebook that she was willing to do photo shoots for those with special needs for free. She had an incredible number of people reach out to her in response.

So far Smith has done 16 special needs photo shoots and plans to donate three photo sessions a month for those with health issues or disabilities. Knowing that there are so many out there that can benefit from a service like this, Smith has created Lenses for Love, a program she hopes will evolve into a platform where other photographers can donate their services

A mother herself, Smith says part of the reason for doing this is to show her son that there is beauty in everyone. She also has deep knowledge of what special needs families go through. Her own sister Melissa suffered from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma twice before she became diagnosed with  transverse myelitis, a rare  neurological disease that caused her to become paralyzed from the waist down.

Smith understands the struggles those faced with disabilities face, from financial difficulties to the stigmas they have to deal with. Through her volunteering her photography skills, she hopes to open up more discussion and promote compassion.

Many children and families are deterred from getting photos taken, not only due to financial strain but also due to feeling intimated. Smith;s generosity and openness encourage people to see the true beauty of everyone and allow her subjects to embrace who they are and feel good about themselves.

She has photographed children with a range of challenges, such as 12-year-old Shane Lapsely who lives with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or brittle bone disease. It was a struggle to get photos, as Shane has broken over 60 bones, but Smith was able to capture his strength as well as his handsome smile.

Smith has also photographed Charlie, a young boy in hospice  who suffers from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, which deprives his brain of adequate oxygen. Smith forged a strong bond with Charlie, just as she does with all the children she photograph. She regards the children and families she’s photographed as a family to her.

Although she’s giving her time, Smith feels  she’s the one that is getting something back. She finds inspiration in the bravery and resilience the children she’s photographed have shown. She doesn’t ask for any monetary compensation, only requests to have her photo taken with her subject. Her gorgeous photos  capture incredible moments for these children and their families to cherish, as well as helping the world see beauty through a difference lens.