
04/09/2025
Meet Willow. đ
Sheâs 15 years old, a high school sophomore, and absolutely lights up when it comes to theaterâwhether sheâs watching a performance or helping backstage as part of the tech crew. đâ¨
Though she once loved being center stage, high school brought some self-doubt, and sheâs found her confidence again behind the scenes, where sheâs thriving in tech crew roles. Willow is also enrolled in college-level courses through her high school and holds herself to incredibly high standardsâshe works hard and puts so much heart into everything she does.
Sheâs fun, bubbly, brilliant, and has a smile thatâs absolutely contagious. âď¸
Willow is also autistic. Sheâs diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety Disorder related to Autism, ADHD related to Autism, and Pica due to her oral sensory needs. These parts of her neurodivergence donât define herâbut they are important, valid, and worth sharing. Every piece of who she is adds to the incredible, vibrant human she is becoming.
I had the absolute joy of photographing Willow as part of my ongoing work as an autism advocate and creative. This session was gifted to herâwith love, intention, and a whole lot of heart. Stories like Willowâs deserve to be seen, celebrated, and shared.