An award-winning photography and master’s graduate from The Northern School of Art unveiled a series of portraits of children with Down Syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day on Thursday March 21st 2024.

The portraits by County Durham-based photographer Debbie Todd mark the launch of a year-long campaign called ‘Extra Ordinary’ aimed at showcasing the unique qualities of children with Down Syndrome which will culminate in an exhibition in March 2025.

Debbie, pictured below, who is a graduate of The Northern School of Art’s MA Creative Practice and BA (Hons) Photography degree courses, specialises in documentary fine art photography of people and how different lifestyles, thoughts and feelings provoke reactions in other people.

Working mainly with marginalised communities she aims to use her craft to give people a voice and tell stories to promote diversity and inclusion.

She explained: “I like to take portraits that tell a story about the sitter. I met some of the children who will be in my new ‘Extra Ordinary’ Project when I was photographing my 2018 collection of images about ‘The meaning of being different’. When more families responded to a call-out to be featured in another exhibition I am doing it struck me that these amazing children deserved a campaign of their own.

“I’ve called this series ‘Extra Ordinary’ to reflect the fact that children with an extra ‘21’ chromosome with Down Syndrome are just the same as all other children.  They have their own personalities and likes and dislikes and their own sense of self and style.

“They want to do everything other children do and to be accepted and represented fairly and my campaign aims to showcase the stories of some children with Down Syndrome to normalise it and promote inclusion.”

Luna, age 7, from Consett – Luna is a strong independent individual who knows her own mind. Her absolute favourite hobby is swimming. She moves so effortlessly through the water. She has a beautiful smile and an extremely stubborn streak too

Maisie, age 8, from Wallsend – Maisie is very mischievous and sassy. Her favourite things to do are dance and take selfies. She has an infectious laugh and gives the best cuddles

Austin, age 6, from Hexham – Austin has a real love for dressing up, using his many outfits and props, he happily gets into character acting out different scenes, from his favourite shows. He has the most amazing imagination and memory with a great sense of humour.

Ava, age 5, Gateshead – Ava has a cheeky personality and is full of mischief. She loves nothing more than singing along to her favourite songs

Isaac aged 6 from Whitley Bay – Isaac’s favourite thing is playing with a ball, if he’s not kicking it about, he’s asking you to play pass with him. He loves nothing more than making people laugh with his funny faces and cheeky personality

James, age 3

Brody, age 3, Gateshead – Brody loves music and dancing. He is cheeky and has an infectious smile that lights up any room. He loves being around other children and really enjoys swimming. He adores his little sister and probably gives her too many cuddles

William, age 3 from Ponteland – William loves running around and exploring outside, especially when he finds some puddles to play in! He enjoys dancing to music and most evenings he will bust some moves to the Eastenders theme tune! His favourite book is ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’, which he is photographed with. William also loves playing with his twin sister Sophie and their giggles fill our house

Laura Preston from Newcastle, whose 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter Lucy was photographed holding a telephone, said: “Lucy’s ability to communicate without speaking leaves us in awe every day. She draws people in with her smile and her infectious laugh then she blows them away with her ability to talk using baby sign language. We’re very proud of our extra ordinary little girl.

“We love the concept of Debbie’s Extra Ordinary project. Having been involved with the Down Syndrome community for around three years now, we’ve learnt how unique every child with Down Syndrome truly is.

“Raising awareness like this is so important, having an extra chromosome really does make children with Down syndrome extra ordinary.”

Debbie’s campaign launch attracted extensive media coverage including stories on the ITV Tyne Tees website,  in The Northern Echo, on Yahoo News and in The Northumberland Gazette.

Debbie Todd graduated with First Class Honours from her BA (Hons) Photography degree at The Northern School of Art and was awarded a Distinction for her MA Creative Practice degree in 2023. Winner of the Anjol Malde Award 2022 and the Judges Choice Selection for the BarTur Photography Awards 2022, Debbie’s work has been shortlisted for numerous awards. Most she was a finalist for the 2024 London Camera Exchange Photographer of the Year award, runner-up in the Photography Foundation Awards 2024, Emerging Artist Award 2024 Finalist at The Photography Show and shortlisted for the National Trust Delaval Hall Emerging Artist of the Year 2024.

To find out more about Debbie’s work and the progress of her ‘Extra Ordinary’ project follow her Instagram at @debbietoddphotographer.

She is currently seeking funding to support the development of the ‘Extra Ordinary’ project and can be contacted via her Instagram page or her website at www.debbietodd.co.uk

Further information about The Northern School of Art’s industry-focused creative diplomas, degrees and MA courses is available at www.northernart.ac.uk