NEURODIVERSITY + WEDDINGS


By Lula, your autistic, ADHD and otherwise neurodivergent friendly wedding photographer x

Just a note: Images are sprinkled across my site where they fit aesthetically, not according to any neurotype or private information xx
Newlyweds walking barefoot at beach after Marahau wedding by Lula, Nelson photographer, Velvet Moon Photography
two brides walking on beach in Abel Tasman elopement, bride in lederhosen, Austrian brides elope in New Zealand, elope
Bride in pinup style wedding dress walking with wedding party down road with dog, pinup bride with flowers,
bride and groom walking through field in black and white photo with dramatic clouds and skies, St Arnaud wedding,

Your story, told by someone who gets you

My aim for all my clients is to document your wedding day story deeply and authentically, capturing those sweet in-between moments that grow more precious as time goes on as well as the picturesque couple shots people just adore. I also aim for a beautiful, relaxed, happy vibed photography experience for my clients to remember.


I want to acknowledge that the path leading up to us creating these images is different for everyone. My clients have different preferences around communication, and I am proud of being responsive to this. As a neurodivergent wedding photographer, I know how important it is to fully trust in your relationship with your photographer during a time that can feel very vulnerable and sensitive, and this is especially true for autistic, AuDHD, ADHD, and otherwise neurodivergent brides, grooms, nearlyweds, and marriers.


I seem to work with a higher percentage of neurodivergence in my clients than average, although I could never know for sure, so respecting differences and preferences is hugely important to me.


tender black and white close up photo couple holding each other, bride and groom black and white, Nelson photographer
groovy vintage bride and groom in velvet blazer walking through field of wildflowers, long haired groom, rose tinted
Black and white father of the bride walking bride down aisle with cute dog, Cable Bay wedding, weddings at Cable Bay
Tokaanu church wedding in a beautiful Maori church, St Paul's church Tokaanu, Turangi wedding
How Do You Adapt to Neurodiverse Clients?


What's the difference, Lula?

Planning and attending your wedding can both be daunting concepts, and if you throw in some of the additional hurdles that neurodivergent individuals might need to leap over, such as executive dysfunction, anxiety, misunderstandings, and the freaken time warp... This magical time can definitely become a potential source of stress and it can be a vulnerable time. It's really important that we work out what might be a challenge for you specifically, some things I will understand as a neurodivergent person myself, and other things I'll need to learn about from you.

I would love to share my personal toolbox of magic strategies to minimise stress and avoid overwhelm, both during the planning and during your actual wedding day.


These are focused around:

  • adapting how we communicate
  • minimising sensory triggers
  • embracing stims
  • identifying and working with your specific anxieties
  • asking before entering your personal space
  • ensuring you get enough quality downtime
  • and more


On your wedding day, I am capable of simultaneously being the most relaxed person in the world and a gentle but fierce guardian of your boundaries.

I am very easy going, so if you need a change of plans in the moment, let's do that. If you need a moment away from everyone or a sensory break, I can help that happen. And it's all good if you don't use spoken word or if it comes and goes, I'm good at listening in all sorts of ways.


Everyone, whether autistic, AuDHD, ADHD, otherwise neurodivergent, or neurotypical, has different requirements, desires, and needs in and from a wedding photographer. I understand that for many ND people, these aren't just wishes, they are imperatives, and are likely to color the memories of your wedding day for a lifetime.


So, if having a neurodivergent-friendly photographer, or a photographer who celebrates neurodiversity, piques your interest, let's chat. In whatever form you like.


beautiful couple under greenery married at Jester House Tasman, Jester House wedding, Tasman wedding
black and white modern portrait of bride and groom, Nelson garden wedding of Lara and Blue
Elegant wedding rings in close up detail on green moss with yellow flowers, St Arnaud wedding, Nelson Lakes
Tender moment between bride and her father before she gets married, Cable Bay track, Cable Bay Holiday Park wedding
Bride signs the registry as celebrant Matt Warman looks on at Auckland's Chancery Chambers Rooftop Bar,
Two emotional bride crying and laughing during first look in a field at Whakaipo Bay, beautiful wedding dresses
Wedding party featuring bride in a star dress walking down country road, bride wore star earrings,
Let's join forces and work as a beautiful team. Because THIS is where the MAGIC happens


Wedding Photography Review by a Neurodivergent Past Client


This made me all squishy - here is what one of my beautiful AuDHD past clients had to say in a recent survey about what works for my ND crew:


"You're ultra supportive while being low-pressure. Chill, always smiling, friendly but unobtrusive (iykwim, like a best friend ghost). That's pretty key for dealing with neurodiverse peeps imo. Photography was genuinely the most relaxing, fun part for me, and I usually hate having photos taken!"


Newlyweds have private first dance in a pagoda with festoon lights, twilight wedding photo, photographers Nelson,

It's all in the moment x Nelson, NZ

NELSON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
NELSON | TASMAN | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST | BLENHEIM

Follow me on Instagram
@velvet.moon.photo.motueka

Nelson wedding photographer, wedding photographer Nelson, inclusive wedding photographer, same sex wedding photographer, Tasman destination weddings, Tasman wedding photographer, wedding photography Nelson, photographer Nelson, autistic weddings nz, photographers Nelson, photographer Nelson nz, wedding photographers Nelson, wedding photographer Nelson, Nelson wedding photographers