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I Photographed Another Year Of Love And Autism, And I Found My Son In The Process
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I Photographed Another Year Of Love And Autism, And I Found My Son In The Process

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Loving a child with autism is easy, but connecting can be hard. I’ve been working for three years to photograph the unique experience of autism and parenting, but in the last year, something amazing happened. My son and I were able to connect through my camera.

Autism can be a beautiful, fascinating perspective, but it can also feel like a barrier sometimes. I’ve often felt like my son was on the other side of some invisible wall, just out of my reach, and my son has described the experience the same way. I didn’t realize that in trying to show this barrier with photography, I was actually finding a way through it.

What started as me taking photos to express my own perspective and my view of his became a collaborative effort. Sharing this project gave us a way to connect to one another, and we’re closer than we’ve ever been before. We even launched a Kickstarter campaign to create a photobook so others can share this experience (link in bio).

More info: kickstarter.com

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    For many people on the autism spectrum, water can hold a magical, magnetic appeal. My son says that for him, it’s because he admires it so much. “I love the way it moves and always finds a way,” he says. “I want to be like that water.”

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    Kate Miller-Wilson

    Kate Miller-Wilson

    Author, Community member

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    Kate is an award-winning fine art photographer, writer, and mom to two boys in Minnesota. Using film and digital photography, she strives to capture emotion and shared perspective through daily creative practice. She believes all art is about the intimate connection between the artist and the audience who experiences it and that each viewing experience is unique.

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    Kate Miller-Wilson

    Kate Miller-Wilson

    Author, Community member

    Kate is an award-winning fine art photographer, writer, and mom to two boys in Minnesota. Using film and digital photography, she strives to capture emotion and shared perspective through daily creative practice. She believes all art is about the intimate connection between the artist and the audience who experiences it and that each viewing experience is unique.

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    Phoenyx Moonshadow
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are absolutely gorgeous. I have autism and I 100% agree with the water one. I love looking at it and touching it but I don't like getting in it (like swimming in a pool or at the beach). I also hate being in the rain - i love watching it and listening to it, but i don't like the feel of it.

    Phoenyx Moonshadow
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are absolutely gorgeous. I have autism and I 100% agree with the water one. I love looking at it and touching it but I don't like getting in it (like swimming in a pool or at the beach). I also hate being in the rain - i love watching it and listening to it, but i don't like the feel of it.

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