More Than Awareness

Faces of Autism is an ongoing portrait and storytelling project created to celebrate autistic individuals for exactly who they are.

Too often, autism is described through challenges, assumptions, or a single idea of what it is supposed to look like. This project was created to make room for the personalities, interests, communication styles, strengths, joy, complexity, and individuality behind the diagnosis.

Each participant is photographed in a way that reflects them—not a version of them created for the camera.

Why I Created It

As an autistic mother raising autistic children, I understand how often autistic people and their families can feel misunderstood, isolated, or reduced to labels.

I created Faces of Autism because I wanted families to have more than awareness. I wanted them to have photographs that felt honest, beautiful, and deeply personal—images that showed the person they know and love.

This project is also a way to help others see that autism has no single face, personality, age, voice, or story.

How it works

An Ongoing Project

Sessions take place throughout the year so participants never have to fit into a rushed March or April schedule.

Each April, the completed portraits and stories are brought together in a collective showcase celebrating Autism Acceptance Month.

Participation is shaped around the individual’s comfort, personality, interests, sensory needs, and preferred way of communicating.