I’ll never proclaim to be an expert in special needs or all illnesses, disabilities or diagnoses. But I am an expert in two things — taking photos and being Zach’s momma. Zach has Down syndrome, a genetic condition in which a super-awesome person has one extra copy of the 21st chromosome, leading to possible health, developmental and intellectual issues.

Taking photos of Zach or having family photos taken of us has not always been easy. Zach has some sensory sensitivities that make things like uncomfortable spots or extreme heat really tricky for him. Z-Man also has had issues being understood while speaking in the past which can make it hard for him to understand directions and have a conversation with someone. He can’t walk as quickly or as well as some of his peers sometimes.

Whether through my work with the National Down Syndrome Society or my own photography business, I’ve also taken a lot of photos of people with special needs over the years and these moments have taught me patience, consideration of a lot of new things like mobility and safety concerns and how to be a better photographer for my friends with different challenges.

So, to my mommas (and daddies) who “get it” along with me — here are some tips that I hope help make capturing your loved one and your memories a little easier.

1. Be honest and open with what’s possible and best.

We all think our own kids are pretty-near perfect (and they probably are) so sometimes it’s hard to come face-to-face with what we feel are shortcomings (they’re not). Knowing before a photography session or a great moment you want to capture yourself what your child can or can’t do isn’t a bash on your loved one — it’s an opportunity to capture them at their best. I always tell our photographers that they may lose Zach’s attention quicker than most kids his age and that it’s best to focus on him solo to make sure we get a few shots of him before things go downhill. Let me, as your photographer, know what your son will hate doing or what we shouldn’t try with your daughter.

2. Keep your kiddo comfortable.

Comfort will keep all kiddos engaged in a photo session longer than without it and comfort can be achieved so easily with things like time of day, time of the year, location and clothing. Avoid the temptation to put your child in a scratchy sweater just because it looks adorable — he’ll still look oh-so-handsome if he’s wearing a T-shirt, I promise. Stick with early morning or early evening to get the best light, most flexibility and cooler temperatures in the summer months. Keeping to a routine or schedule is especially important for a lot of our kiddos, too.

3. Scope out a location ahead of time.

I am so constantly aware of keeping my families and children safe and comfortable that I try to scope out any location for photos ahead of time, thinking to myself about the families coming there and any concerns they’ve expressed for things like safety and mobility (this is even a question on my contract now!). If I have a child who elopes (runs away) or doesn’t understand danger awareness well (like my son), I’ll stay away from high paths or waterfront areas as much as possible. If I have a family coming with a wheelchair, I’ll make sure it will be easier for the chair to get to the location I have in mind. I try to look for easy and flat terrain and a lot of shade, too.

4. Do what works — over and over.

If you peek at my personal photos, you’ll see that a large majority of photos of my son are taken on my front porch. It’s close by (literally three steps out our front door), flat, shaded and has a decent background. My son can be found sitting in a chair or criss-crossed on the front step. Maybe he’s leaning on the railing. We use the spot over and over because it works. Find a spot in your world that is consistent and use it to your heart’s content. What’s most important is the subject — your incredible son or daughter and the memories you and I can capture with our cameras or phone.