In 2021, photographer Claudia Johnstone was diagnosed with ADHD, which, she says, “marked the beginning of a profound healing journey.” Her experience sparked a passion for helping others with similar diagnoses, so in 2023, she became a certified life coach specializing in ADHD. Merging her photography skills with her personal experience and knowledge about ADHD, Johnstone developed a personal project, “May I Have Your Attention,” creating multiple-exposure portraits of adults with ADHD.
She found many of her subjects through a local chapter of the breakfast lecture series community called CreativeMornings, where she had spoken about her ADHD diagnosis. Before their sessions, she sends her subjects a Google form with questions such as: What do you like about your ADHD? What struggles do you face? What emotions would you like to express in the photos? When they meet, Johnstone and the subject discuss their answers; they also select a final image together.
Her setup for the portraits includes a Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 with multiple exposure settings at four to five exposures, a Flashpoint XPLOR 600 PRO with a Glow EZ Lock 34-inch collapsible silver beauty dish, and two Godox RGB LED Light Stick LC500Rs. “Movement by the subject and myself is also part of the process,” she says. “It symbolizes our dynamic personalities,” as do the vibrant colors in the photos.
Because of her ADHD, extensive post-production work feels overwhelming. So, she chose to keep edits minimal by capturing the multiple exposures in camera rather than layering photos in Photoshop. “Understanding myself better than ever, I’ve learned how to work with my strengths,” she says.
“What I love most about this ongoing body of work is that it’s more than just a photography project,” Johnstone adds. “It combines coaching skills with photography. … It brings together my personal lived experiences, creativity, and a desire to make a meaningful impact.”
Amanda Arnold is a senior editor.
