Carl Weleba never held a camera until he was 73. Then a few months ago, an instructor at Life Skills approached Weleba about taking part in a program called "Everyone Deserves a Shot."

That's when Weleba, who has a lifelong intellectual disability and is unable to live on his own without a Life Skills companion, got his chance.

Life Skills handed out cameras and instruction in basic photography to Weleba and 11 other people with developmental disabilities ranging from intellectual disabilities to autism to Down syndrome. They range in age from 21 through 73.

Photographer Natalie Cayton taught them about composition and lighting and different kinds of photography. She encouraged them to take photographs from their points of view.

Since then, the students' photographs have been exhibited at a one-night show and benefit earlier this month at the Third Degree Glass Factory on Delmar Boulevard. Many have sold. The proceeds from the sale of the artwork are shared, 50 percent to the artist, 50 percent to Life Skills. (Framed pieces cost $175 and unframed matted pieces $75.)

Wendy Sullivan, president of Life Skills, said the camera project has helped the agency accomplish one of its major goals: to let the outside world know that a person with disabilities can make meaningful contributions and have talents the same as anyone else.

And the program has unleashed some great talents.

"We really had no idea when we started how it would turn out, but it turned out that some of the artists are really gifted," Sullivan said.

Since 1964, Life Skills has assisted adults and teens with disabilities to find suitable places to work, live as independently as possible and learn skills. It serves more than 1,500 people in St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County, and gets both public and private funding. Its offices are at 10176 Corporate Square Drive, Creve Coeur.

At the gallery reception, Weleba wanted to know whether there would be another show.

"I'm ready for another," he said when it was time to go home.

Weleba enjoys having people ask about his photographs.

"That's my buddy Steve, he lives down the hall," Weleba said, explaining his favorite photograph.

Weleba lives in an apartment of his own with a roommate and receives Life Skills staff support for all but four hours a day.

The camera program has increased the 12 participants' sense of self-worth. In the case of Dan Talbot, 25, it also has been potentially life-changing. Talbot has a learning disability. He has autism and problems communicating, socializing and with sensory integration, said his mother, Sue Healey.

He lives with his parents in Affton and receives Life Skills support a few hours a month.

"Dan takes a camera everywhere. He is so proud," said Healey, who works in the child development center at Children's Hospital. "What's really exciting is that he's talking to everyone about his photographs, and he's networking with people. He's socializing with a lot of people. He wants to follow his path, and it's all pointing in this direction" of photography.

Last summer, Jasmine Rangle, who teaches Talbot job interview skills, career planning and community access for Life Skills, suggested that he participate in the camera program.

"I had seen some of his paintings, and he told me he really wanted to be an artist," she said.

"His photographs are beautiful. He has an eye for it."

At the exhibit Talbot told a group of people, "I'm real excited, this has meant a lot to me. I really enjoyed this evening." He was beaming.

Dan's father, Joe Talbot, is an artist and teaches karate, including to people with developmental disabilities.

Last year, Joe and Dan Talbot did a father-son show with paintings and drawings.

Dan Talbot also volunteers at Wild Bird Rehabilitation, taking care of sick and injured songbirds.

Healey, who taught special education before her son was born, said: "I think special children are meant to be born to certain parents. I hope that some other parents with a special needs child think they were meant to have that special child."