One local photographer is using her skills to help document the lives of families who otherwise might not take family photos.Lauren Seidel, owner of Lauren Seidel Photography, offers free family photos to families with children who have autism.In business since 2010, Seidel said she was at a church service when a sermon about the community sparked a desire to use her skills for good.“The only real skill I have is photography,” she said.With that, she started doing 12 Months of Awareness, where she would photograph people and families living with various disabilities.Sometimes, families are reluctant to pay a sitting fee and photo costs when they’re not sure how their family member will react during the session, Seidel said.“At the end of the 12 months, I really enjoyed my autism sessions,” she said, adding that her own shy and reserved personality seems to resonate with children who have autism.Called “Prism Sessions,” Seidel said these are the photos she most enjoys taking.“It can be challenging, but the way the moms react when they see the photos means more than (money),” she said.Seidel asks the families to submit their autism story to share with others online through her blog post, however, families can choose what they want to include in their story.Seidel lives in Dutzow with her husband, Corey, and sons Dawson, 6, and Carter, who will turn 2 in November.Images and autism stories can be found online, at washmophoto.com.Lauren Seidel Photography