Welcome to the DonZa Photography Blog. As photographers & videographers we choose to use pictures and movies to tell stories. If we are lucky enough, along our creative journey  we will meet people whose stories stand out more, inspire us more or enlighten us more than others. Sometimes we will find that the experience of the encounter will be far more rewarding than the end product. A few months ago I had such an experience. I have known Bridgette for some time. In a conversation it came out that she did not have a recent family photo. She shared that having an autistic son, Steven, has posed many challenges one of which is the taking of family portraits in a studio. She agreed to give us a shot at the task. My knowledge of autism is none but I felt confident that we could get it done. What I didn't expect was to be so inspired and humbled by the bond that I saw and felt between Steven and his younger brother Zack. Zack moved and guided Steven with a gentleness that I have never seen between two siblings. I could not help wonder what Steven thought of the entire process. Although this family lives with the many challenges of autism, their love and respect for each other shine through as does the sun after a thunderstorm. I walked away from the experience knowing my life had been greatly enriched by working with the Hernandez family. 

I suspect that many families who have members with disabilities that do not have family portraits due to the extra time that is needed to take the portraits. So I ask my fellow photographers & videographers to seek out such a family and give that family a special gift by reducing your rate or even take on the assignment as pro bono. You will have an amazing experience and learn something about yourself throughout the process. In the mean time check out www.autism-society.org or www.autismspeaks.org to learn more about autism.