S O N
“SON” is a deeply personal and socially engaged photographic project dedicated to the life of my child with autism. As a mother and a photographer, I embarked on a journey toward acceptance, love, and understanding. For a long time, I couldn’t understand him. I struggled to accept his difference. I longed for normalcy. Photography began as a way to stay. To not give up. To find meaning.
Over time, I began to see—not a child with a problem, but a child with a world. A world that is unusual but real, filled with light, chaos, rituals, and sensation. These photographs reflect a path—from rejection to acceptance, from shame to tenderness, from “I don’t want this child” to “thank you for being mine.”
This project is not only about my son. It’s about many “invisible” children—those misunderstood or neglected by society. And about their parents, who quietly carry guilt, sorrow, fear, and isolation.
“SON” was awarded the Profifoto New Talent Award 2025 and was selected as a finalist at Photo Museum Ireland – Reflecting the Real 2025. The project was realised with the support of the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria and the BECA Before Creating Academy.
