Renee said two things to me that changed Sam's life. One was, "You need to have Sam take a picture looking up into a tree." The other thing she said was, "You need to put Sam's photos on Nick Kelsh's facebook page How to Photograph Your Baby."
That same day I put Sam's photos that he took of Mina with Renee on the facebook page How to Photograph Your Baby.
Here is how it works. You can upload three photos a day of anything. Nick picks the photos to use in his Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show that he produces every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It is nothing short of amazing how he does this.
I posted three of Sam's photos everyday and was thrilled on how many people commented on his photos. It was helpful because I started this project over one year ago for people on my facebook page to comment on his photos so Sam could practice his reading. Because of this wonderful page I had more people to help with Sam becoming a better reader.
I can't recall when I posted this photo on How to Photograph Your Baby. This was the photo that Renee Hall told me to have Sam take. I do recall the day that he took the photo. I had seen a tree across the way from our local bank and I pulled over for Sam to take the picture. Sam was getting frustrated because it was difficult for him to hold the camera while looking up into the tree. Sometimes when Sam gets frustrated I say, "Ok Sam, take just three photos." This was Sam's third photo that he took of the tree.
On Monday October 17th of last year I was looking through the facebook newsfeed and I received a message from Renee Hall. She told me about the Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show. I had no idea that there was such a thing. I clicked on the video and Nick was talking about the photo. He said that the photo was from me. I reposted the photo explaining that the photo was taken by Sam and how Sam was diagnosed with Autism when he was 3 years old.
On Wednesday October 19th I received another message from Renee telling me that Sam was featured again on the Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show. I clicked on the video and I started hearing Nick's voice.
This is what he had to say about Sam's photo.
Debra posted this photograph a while back and I put it in the last radio show and since that time she has reposted the photograph and said that her son Sam, who was diagnosed with Autism 8 years ago, shot this photograph. Sam is really into photography and I would love to see more of Sam's work. We could always use some of Sam's work on the site. We love using pictures that kids have taken and this one is especially beautiful, beautiful fall colors. Thank you for that Sam, fantastic.
I was sitting at my desk and I cried. I couldn't believe it. My son, Sam, the kid who works so hard with his challenges was recognized by a guy who is an author and who has also been on national television. I then put my arms straight into the air and shouted, "Touchdown!" because I was so happy.
I have to say that once I heard the Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show I was hooked. My kitchen is filled with Nick's voice every time he posts the show. I often sit with Sam and watch the show and listen while Nick teaches us all how to take better photos.
During Christmas I posted this photo. This is a photo that Sam worked on with Sarah, his Music Therapist. It is a picture of the Liberty Pole that is decorated with white lights during the Christmas Season.
Nick used this photo to make Sam a Christmas Card.
This was his message to Sam.
I thought you'd like to see a picture I took of myself when I was just a bit older than you are now. I had to do this in the darkroom which you would have loved! (How about those cool glasses?!) Anyway, this is my little Christmas card to you and your family. Thanks for all of your hard work this year and Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful mom! Everyone on this site is so excited to see what you have in store for us next year! I can't wait to get you on the new website that's driving me crazy. Keep up the fantastic work!
Nick's website is now up and running at How to Photograph Your Life. I have to say that the new website is, using Nick's words, "Fantastic!"
One of the photos I posted was a picture of a butterfly that Sam took and the Butterfly Exhibit at the Strong National Museum of Play.
It made the cover of the Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show. This is what Nick had to say.
Sam has been going to town at the Butterfly Museum. I mean, look at this, please, please look at this photograph. Look at the composition on this thing. Someone made a comment, "Wow, that boy has got some eyes." That reminded me of one of the most famous things ever written about photography. This is completely legitimate, now we are getting into the culture period of the program here. I am going to read to you, with a little rewrite, an introduction to the book, "The Americans" by Robert Frank. One of the most famous photo books ever done. The Introduction was written by Jack Kerouac, back in the late 50's. He wrote to Robert Frank, I paraphrase because this one is for Sam.
Anybody don't like this picture don't like poetry see. Anybody don't like poetry go home see television shots of big hatted cowboys being powerated by kind horses. Sam, young, unobtrusive, nice and with that little camera that he raises and snaps with one hand, he sucks poetry right out of America into his camera taking rank among the great poets of the world. To Sam I now give this message, you got eyes.
Nick is special to me because he gets how difficult Autism can be. This project of photography is not easy. The Autism gets in the way of Sam truly enjoying himself. Don't get me wrong, Sam loves photography but sometimes he gets extremely frustrated because something isn't working out the way he thinks it should go. I am constantly asking him if he wants to continue with photography and he always says yes.
A few weeks ago a kind hearted woman posted on Sam's facebook page about how NPR was accepting submissions from young photographers. I posted four of Sam's photos and one was accepted and posted on the NPR Website.
The photo of the tree was accepted and I was blown away how quickly people found out about it. I am still a little dazed. This is what Nick did for Sam.
And then Nick wrote a special message for Sam.
Nick talks about winning awards and staying humble. He writes,
Sam. Just remember you’re only as good as your last photograph. You can’t hang your hat on this NPR photograph forever. It’s really wonderful and fun and no one is more proud of you than me (okay, maybe your mom), but with your new found fame comes responsibility to yourself. You need to keep shooting beautiful photographs if for no other reason than you and the entire world know that you can, and the world will be a better place if you do.
This message is also for me. I am so proud of Sam and we don't make a big deal on the photography. Autism is a social disability. Autism robs Sam of friendships because he feels like a stranger in this world. Sam is building friendships with his camera. What Sam is learning is that people care about him and that is the biggest gift a Mom could ever ask for. It brings me to tears when I think of the people that have come forward for Sam.
I am proud to say that Sam is a family member of How to Photograph Your Baby. I am even prouder to say that Nick and his family, are part of ours.
Thank you Nick. You are Sam's champion.
Sincerely,
Debra Pierce Bellare
(Sam's Mom)
Sincerely,
Debra Pierce Bellare
(Sam's Mom)
*As of today, Sam is reading at a second grade level. I call this progress. It is only going to get better.
*You can find Sam's photos on his facebook page Snapshots by Sam Maloney.
*The background of this blog was a picture that Sam took while looking for Salmon.
