What a teen with Down syndrome has taught me through my photography
I have been a photographer for quite a while and have had many sessions with high school seniors. Seniors are easy - they know what to do, how to pose, and how to use the right angles to flatter themselves… especially the girls! :)
A little over a year ago, I was contacted by a Lake Brantley Mom who was inquiring about a Senior Aession for her daughter Abigail. I was super excited and at the same time a little anxious anticipating my session with the senior. Abigail was born with Down syndrome but she was no different to any other senior I photographed before. Like Abigail says: “I am a typical teenage girl except I have an extra chromosome”.
Throughout the whole photoshoot, Abigail was just a smiling happy teenager. Although she had a cold at the time, she still managed to pull everything off so well. I couldn’t believe her attitude, I was very impressed with her determination and positivity. Every picture showed different sides of her. Sometimes she was a teenager having fun, sometimes she was a woman, sometimes she was a young girl with a super confident walk. I hope she felt like a SUPERSTAR, because that is how she looked … just smiling and being herself.
Photographing Abigail has helped me to realize even more that kids with Down syndrome are precious gifts, and even with certain limitation, kids with DS can do anything they put their minds to. From NY Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, Pro Bowl halftime show with Jordan Fisher, meeting politicians in Washington, to TV commercials… there are no limits to Abigail! I learned so much with her ❤️
I photographed Abigail like any other high school senior. I wanted to bring her personality closer to the viewer — to show that she can have the same feelings and dreams and especially to show that Down syndrome is only a small part of her incredible story! I feel so blessed with the opportunity to meet her and her family.
A few words from Abigail and her parents:
“No matter who you are or where you came from, your success begins with you. Always follow your dreams! Down syndrome doesn't hold me back. Don't let anything keep you from being the best you”! Abigail Adams
“Our main goal has always been to give others hope. To share that our girl has done much more than others would ever imagine! We never got to go to Washington and advocate and meet politicians! We never were in TV commercials! We were told so many negative things when we were expecting and even people apologized when she was born and felt sad for us. We reminded them that we were thrilled to have a little girl and she was a baby first and just happened to have Down syndrome.” Steve & MaryAnne Adams
👉 Follow Abigail on Instagram and learn about her work representing people with disabilities
https://www.instagram.com/abigail_the_advocate/
👉 Abigail’s page: AbigailtheAdvocate.com
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbigailTheAdvocate/
Cole | Lake Brantley High School Senior
Cole Parnell is a member of the Lake Brantley High School class of 2020. He will graduate summa cum laude and will be continuing his education at Southern Methodist University where he will be a member of the SMU Mustangs Swimming and Diving Team. Cole plans on studying engineering at SMU. He currently swims for Patriot Aquatics where he has been swimming since he was 5 years old. Cole is a High School All American and 4A High School State champion in the 200 free and 400 free relay.
I wasn’t sure what to expect at Cole’s session, he’s a quiet kind of guy but he made his senior session into such a fun time! We were able to easily capture his charming personality in his photos. Cole is one of my son’s best friends and over the years I’ve had the privilege of getting to know his wonderful family, and it’s been a joy to spend time with them. His parents are some of the sweetest people in the world :)
Cole is a great swimmer and kind of a “down to earth” senior, a location by the water was just perfect for him! The colors of nature out by the water turned a good location into great pictures. The light was beautiful, specially towards the end… the tone was bright but at the same time it was really soft.
I feel so blessed for having the opportunity to hang out with you Cole. You are the third senior I photographed for your family, WOW! I wish you all the best in college!
