OKAPE Photography

OKAPE Photography 🌅SoCal - Family, Children and Special Needs

  Meet Johnny!“To My Beloved Johnny,From the moment I first held you in my arms, I knew you were extraordinary. Not beca...
07/22/2026

Meet Johnny!
“To My Beloved Johnny,
From the moment I first held you in my arms, I knew you were extraordinary. Not because the world would one day call you different but because I already saw the light in your eyes, the strength in your spirit, and the beauty in your soul.

You experience the world in a way that many people don’t understand but I do. I see the way your mind works, how deeply you feel, and how pure your heart is. You have taught me that communication is so much more than words, that love is in the smallest gestures, and that connection doesn’t always need to be loud to be strong.

Sometimes the world can be overwhelming, too fast, too loud, too demanding. And when it is, I want you to know this: I’m here. I will always be here. You never have to change who you are to earn my love you already have all of it, exactly as you are.

Johnny, you’ve taught me patience. You’ve taught me resilience. You’ve shown me what true courage looks like not in pretending to be something you’re not but in being completely, unapologetically yourself.

I love you endlessly, fiercely, and without condition. I am so proud to be your parent. And every single day, I’m grateful for the gift of being on this journey with you.” -Mum & Dad

Project BRAVE ✨is a passion project created to showcase the beauty of disability and the special needs community. It highlights the joy, love, and companionship our family members with special needs bring into our lives while helping to break the stigmas surrounding what it means to have an atypical family member.

These families are filled with strength, resilience, and pure joy—and I strive to capture that in every photograph. Through these images, my hope is to bring awareness, acceptance, and a stronger voice of advocacy as we celebrate these beautiful souls.

BRAVE:

B – Beautiful

R – Resilient

A – Able

V – Vibrant

E – Empowered

– Kristi, OKAPE Photography

  Meet Emma!“To My Sweet Emma,From the moment you came into my life, you changed it forever  in the most beautiful way. ...
07/22/2026

Meet Emma!
“To My Sweet Emma,
From the moment you came into my life, you changed it forever in the most beautiful way. I look at you and I see a soul so full of depth, strength, and wonder. You don’t just move through the world you experience it with your whole heart.
You see things others miss. You feel things more deeply. You speak in your own way, and every moment with you teaches me to listen differently more patiently, more honestly, more lovingly.
Emma, you are not defined by anyone else’s expectations. You are not here to fit into someone else’s mold. You are here to shine just as you are. And that shine? It’s blindingly beautiful.
There are days when things feel overwhelming, when the world seems too loud or confusing and on those days, I want you to know: You are never alone. I will always be here. With open arms, with a soft voice, and with a heart full of love that nothing can shake. and learn what brings you joy, what makes you feel safe, what helps you thrive.
You are my Emma strong, radiant, and endlessly loved. I am so proud of who you are, and I will spend my life making sure you never forget how much you matter.” - Mum & Dad

Project BRAVE ✨is a passion project created to showcase the beauty of disability and the special needs community. It highlights the joy, love, and companionship our family members with special needs bring into our lives while helping to break the stigmas surrounding what it means to have an atypical family member.

These families are filled with strength, resilience, and pure joy—and I strive to capture that in every photograph. Through these images, my hope is to bring awareness, acceptance, and a stronger voice of advocacy as we celebrate these beautiful souls.

BRAVE:

B – Beautiful

R – Resilient

A – Able

V – Vibrant

E – Empowered

– Kristi, OKAPE Photography

  Meet Eugene!“Eugene brings so much joy to our family. Anyone who knows him is fortunate to experience the genuine, unc...
07/16/2026

Meet Eugene!
“Eugene brings so much joy to our family. Anyone who knows him is fortunate to experience the genuine, unconditional love he shares so freely. His kind heart, warm spirit, and unique personality make him truly special to everyone around him.
Everyone that meets him loves him” -Angelica (Mom)

Project BRAVE ✨is a passion project created to showcase the beauty of disability and the special needs community. It highlights the joy, love, and companionship our family members with special needs bring into our lives while helping to break the stigmas surrounding what it means to have an atypical family member.

These families are filled with strength, resilience, and pure joy—and I strive to capture that in every photograph. Through these images, my hope is to bring awareness, acceptance, and a stronger voice of advocacy as we celebrate these beautiful souls.

BRAVE:

B – Beautiful

R – Resilient

A – Able

V – Vibrant

E – Empowered

– Kristi, OKAPE Photography

  Meet ELLIE!“Ellie is the joy wherever we go. Her beautiful smile lights up every room, and her fun, sassy personality ...
07/15/2026

Meet ELLIE!
“Ellie is the joy wherever we go. Her beautiful smile lights up every room, and her fun, sassy personality keeps everyone laughing. She has a loving heart, a contagious energy, and a way of making every moment more memorable. Ellie brings happiness to our family and to everyone she meets. She is confident, kind, full of life, and deeply loved.“ -Angelica (mom)

Every child has a story. Every family has strength. Every moment deserves to be remembered.

Project BRAVE ✨is a passion project created to showcase the beauty of disability and the special needs community. It highlights the joy, love, and companionship our family members with special needs bring into our lives while helping to break the stigmas surrounding what it means to have an atypical family member.

These families are filled with strength, resilience, and pure joy—and I strive to capture that in every photograph. Through these images, my hope is to bring awareness, acceptance, and a stronger voice of advocacy as we celebrate these beautiful souls.

BRAVE:

B – Beautiful

R – Resilient

A – Able

V – Vibrant

E – Empowered

– Kristi, OKAPE Photography

  Meet Jacob!“Being your mama Jacob is the most sacred and beautiful calling I never expected but now could never live w...
06/26/2026

Meet Jacob!
“Being your mama Jacob is the most sacred and beautiful calling I never expected but now could never live without. When God made you son, He didn’t make a mistake — He made a miracle.

This journey isn’t always easy, but it’s filled with moments that show me just how deeply God knows what we need. My boy has taught me patience, joy, resilience, and how to slow down and soak in the little miracles.

He may have an extra chromosome, but he also has an extra measure of joy, light, and God’s grace in him. I see God’s hand in his smile, His peace in my son’s hugs, and His goodness in every milestone we reach together.

I thank God daily for choosing me to be his mama. 💛💙”

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” – James 1:17 ✨

Project BRAVE ✨is a passion project created to showcase the beauty of disability and the special needs community. It highlights the joy, love, and companionship our family members with special needs bring into our lives while helping to break the stigmas surrounding what it means to have an atypical family member.

These families are filled with strength, resilience, and pure joy—and I strive to capture that in every photograph. Through these images, my hope is to bring awareness, acceptance, and a stronger voice of advocacy as we celebrate these beautiful souls.

BRAVE:

B – Beautiful

R – Resilient

A – Able

V – Vibrant

E – Empowered

– Kristi, OKAPE Photography

  Meet Brayden“Brayden has been a miracle from the day we found out we were going to be blessed with him. Finding out hi...
06/19/2026

Meet Brayden
“Brayden has been a miracle from the day we found out we were going to be blessed with him. Finding out his diagnosis was a shock at first but everyone that meets him falls in love with his smile and his great little personality. He’s always full of energy and endless entertainment. 🥰 He has such an infectious laugh that no one can resist but to laugh and smile with him. He has definitely changed our lives for the better!! We can’t imagine life without him. We love you so much baby boy!!

Love Mommy, Daddy, big brother Chris, big sissy Molly and little sissy Zozo. “

“Our family is truly blessed to have Brayden in our lives. His boundless energy, funny antics and loving heart bring joy and warmth to our lives every day. His curious spirit and playful nature remind us of the beauty in simple moments, making our time together a memory we’ll cherish forever.

Love Tia Stace, Uncle Louie, Boom, Monkey and Yaya”

✨ Project BRAVE ✨ is a passion project created to showcase the beauty of disability and the special needs community. It highlights the joy, love, and companionship our family members with special needs bring into our lives while helping to break the stigmas surrounding what it means to have an atypical family member.

These families are filled with strength, resilience, and pure joy—and I strive to capture that in every photograph. Through these images, my hope is to bring awareness, acceptance, and a stronger voice of advocacy as we celebrate these beautiful souls.

BRAVE:

B – Beautiful

R – Resilient

A – Able

V – Vibrant

E – Empowered

– Kristi, OKAPE Photography

  MEET Genesis “When I was pregnant with Genesis I knew absolutely nothing about Down syndrome. I was handed diagnoses, ...
06/12/2026

MEET Genesis
“When I was pregnant with Genesis I knew absolutely nothing about Down syndrome.
I was handed diagnoses, statistics, and uncertainty.
What no one told me was:
đź’™How strong she would be.
đź’›How fiercely I would learn to advocate.
đź’śHow much joy, love, and purpose she would bring into our lives.

Genesis has faced so many challenges yet she continues to show me and others what true strength looks like.
By God’s grace we’ve made it through every unknown.
She is not a diagnosis.
She is not a statistic.
She is Genesis 💜” -Isabelle (mom)

Hard to believe it’s been almost a year since we captured these images! Time flies but I’m so excited to announce more project BRAVE sessions will be coming out this summer ❤️

✨Project BRAVE

is a passion project created to showcase the beauty of disability and the special needs community. It highlights the joy, love, and companionship our family members with special needs bring into our lives while helping to break the stigmas surrounding what it means to have an atypical family member.
These families are filled with strength, resilience, and pure joy-and I strive to capture that in every photograph. Through these images, my hope is to bring awareness, acceptance, and a stronger voice of advocacy as we celebrate these beautiful souls.
BRAVE:
B - Beautiful
R - Resilient
A - Able
V - Vibrant
E - Empowered
- Kristi, OKAPE Photography

  MEET Avery!  “Before Avery, I didn’t realize how much I took for granted. She’s changed the way I see everything. She’...
05/23/2026

MEET Avery!
“Before Avery, I didn’t realize how much I took for granted. She’s changed the way I see everything. She’s shown me what actually matters and what strength and bravery really look like.

Avery has been through more than any child should ever have to go through and regardless of what she faces, she always finds a way to keep going. Somehow through her, I’ve found that same strength to keep going alongside with her. She’s taught me to slow down, to appreciate and to celebrate all the little things that make up this crazy life of ours.

Being her mom has changed me in ways I never expected and I’m so grateful for that. She’s been my greatest gift and I love her more than anyone could ever imagine. ❤️” - Connie (Mom)

Hard to believe it’s been almost a year since we captured these images! Time flies but I’m so excited to announce more project BRAVE sessions will be coming out this summer ❤️

  MEET Asher!“When I first heard the words Down syndrome, I couldn’t even say them out loud. I didn’t want to admit it w...
02/05/2026

MEET Asher!
“When I first heard the words Down syndrome, I couldn’t even say them out loud. I didn’t want to admit it was happening to me. I was scared of what it would mean for his life… and for ours. Then Asher came into the world bright red hair flaring and every fearful thought melted away.
He was beautiful. He was mine and I knew I would do everything in my power to give him the best life and every opportunity possible.
I advocated for him in the NICU, and I still advocate for him every single day. I am often exhausted. Sometimes overwhelmed. But I would carry the hard parts for both of my children if it meant they would always feel loved, seen, and supported. The ache is there. But the joy overwhelms the fear.
Every milestone. His personality. His endless love. His laugh. His resilience to push through it all. It’s miraculous to witness. What surprises me most is the way the world responds to him.
The dignity I once feared might not be there… is there.
People see him. They smile at him. They are drawn to him.
They feel something in his presence — a light, a kindness, a love. I believe they’re seeing a glimpse of God’s love through him, even if they can’t quite name what it is that draws them in.
Being Asher’s mother has changed me forever.
There is pain, yes. But there is deeper joy.
And I would choose him exactly as he is every time”.
-Krystal

✨ Project BRAVE ✨

is a passion project created to showcase the beauty of disability and the special needs community. It highlights the joy, love, and companionship our family members with special needs bring into our lives while helping to break the stigmas surrounding what it means to have an atypical family member.

These families are filled with strength, resilience, and pure joy—and I strive to capture that in every photograph. Through these images, my hope is to bring awareness, acceptance, and a stronger voice of advocacy as we celebrate these beautiful souls.

BRAVE:

B – Beautiful

R – Resilient

A – Able

V – Vibrant

E – Empowered

– Kristi, OKAPE Photography

  Meet Luke! “Luke’s journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but he’s really put in a lot of effort over the past few...
02/05/2026

Meet Luke!
“Luke’s journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but he’s really put in a lot of effort over the past few years, and it’s clear to see. He’s blossomed into this incredible kid with a wonderfully playful personality. What I admire most about him is how he always stays true to himself, no matter who’s around—such a lesson for us all! His adorable, toothless grin and his loving nature bring happiness to everyone lucky enough to be around him!” -Crystal (Mom)

✨ Project BRAVE ✨

is a passion project created to showcase the beauty of disability and the special needs community. It highlights the joy, love, and companionship our family members with special needs bring into our lives while helping to break the stigmas surrounding what it means to have an atypical family member.

These families are filled with strength, resilience, and pure joy—and I strive to capture that in every photograph. Through these images, my hope is to bring awareness, acceptance, and a stronger voice of advocacy as we celebrate these beautiful souls.

BRAVE:

B – Beautiful

R – Resilient

A – Able

V – Vibrant

E – Empowered

– Kristi, OKAPE Photography

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Redlands, CA
92373–92374

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