Like mother like daughter!: Mom poses in matching whimsical self-portraits with her down-syndrome daughter from the time that she is 6-years-old to 11-years-old

• Emer Gillespie started taking photos of her daughter Laoisha when she was 6-years-old for the internationally exhibited photo series 'Picture You, Picture Me'
  
• Laoisha has down syndrome but that doesn't stop her from coming up with creative activity ideas and even snapping the photo
• The girls enjoy activities blowing bubbles, flying kites, and playing in the forest to name a few
  

By Alexandra Klausner

PUBLISHED: 00:36 EST, 5 January 2014 | UPDATED: 00:36 EST, 5 January 2014

One mother and daughter from Ireland enjoy taking adorable photos of one-another engaging in activities they like to do together.

Not long after U.K. based photographer Emer Gillespie started taking photos of her daughter Laoisha, her daughter started developing a love for the camera as well.

Laoisha has down-syndrome but that didn't stop the pair from documenting bubble blowing, teeth-brushing, and kite flying activities in their photo-series entitled, 'Picture You Picture Me' made in 2008 when Laoisha was six years old, reports the Huffington Post.

Now six years later, 11-year-old Laoisha and her mother have expanded the parallel portrait series of one-another doing their daily activities that they've continued to document every few months.

Wake up sleepy head: Looks like Gillespie needs a wake up call from her daughter Laoisha

Hey that's not fair-y!: Gillespie seems to have tried on Laoisha's wings on a family outing

I teach you, you teach me: Beauty tips are best when shared between mother and daughter

Vegging out: Both moms and daughters need a little couch time after taking loads of photos

Jump start: coming up with creative ideas for photographs has helped Laoisha learn to communicate

'Picture You, Picture Me' is an ongoing exhibition that's been exhibited in New York, London, and Portugal.

Not only are the photos fun, they are an interactive way for Laoisha to engage the world around her.

Gillespie told the Huffington Post that Laoisha hones her communication skills by telling her mother the types of photos she'd like to take.

'A lot of the images are Laoisha's ideas, for example, "Bed Jumping," "Hair" and '"Make-up," as she loves those activities,' Gillespie told The Huffington Post.

'Anyone who knows her will spot her interests and personality shining through in the subject matter. We both make suggestions for shoot ideas, but I will always start by first asking her if she wants to take photos, which so far has always been a yes, and then I will ask if she has any ideas or suggestions.'

Gillespie also contributes to the creative process by imagining mother daughter classroom scenes. Gillespie explained how she wanted her daughter to feel in command over the space.

Mom's idea: Gillespie chose a classroom setting for her daughter because she wanted her to feel in command of her own space

Parking it: Gillespie and Laoisha take a break with their furry friend

Teaching the basics: Gillespie teaches Laoisha how to set up the camera

Brush up skills: The camera doesn't auto-adjust light therefore the photo on the left is a little out of focus, admits Gillespie

Say meow: Posing is even more fun with wacky costumes

Sleeping toes: Can you tell which one is Gillespie and which one is Laoisha?

'Going to her classroom was my idea, as I wanted to take shots in an environment where she was more in control and more comfortable in than I was. So it really does vary from photo session to photo session,' said Gillespie.

The duo use a Mamiya RB 67 camera to take the photos, and Gillsespie is usually the one to set it up as it is somewhat of a complicated process Gillespie believes her daughter will eventually learn.

She has already been teaching her daughter the beginning steps to becoming a skilled photographer.

'I have been trying to teach her the light meter and how to load the film, so hopefully in time she will be able to operate the camera herself,' Gillespie said.

To make things even more difficult, the camera does not focus automatically so sometimes Laoisha must adjust the camera herself to capture the photo. Gillespie says that for that reason, some photos like 'teeth brushing' are out of focus but add to the character of the series.

'This is a very personal, enjoyable project for us, so we take our time and only take photos when it feels right and we both want to,' Gillespie said.

She says there will be more photos to come as long as her daughter likes taking them--she thinks that she will.

Always wear sunscreen: Whether you're a mom or a daughter, sunscreen is an essential part of any beach day

One, two, tree: Gillespie and Laoisha have fun in the forest

Flying high: Gillespie started taking photos of her daughter Laoisha when she was 6 years old

Hair we go: The girls take a shot at styling each other hair and each others photographs

Pop stars: Blowing bubbles is always more fun with mom

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