Funding young photographers

CREATIVE: Solitude by Kapanui School student Leo Cameron. Photo: Leo Cameron

Professional Otaihanga photographer Michelle Davies is calling on the community to help fund a project that could encourage students in Kapiti to capture the world around them.

Miss Davies, owner of Michelle Davies Photography, is fundraising $5000 to purchase 10 entry level SLR cameras for students participating in her voluntary run in-school photography workshops.

"I'm looking for grants or donations to purchase the cameras to give primary school students throughout Kapiti the opportunity to learn photography, and it's a lot more beneficial for them to learn on proper cameras."

Having first been taught photography at The Photo School in Raumati Beach, Miss Davies understood the importance of photography as a creative outlet and said the hobby had stirred her own positive turning point as a teenager.

Now the mother of two, who previously worked as a casual foster carer for Child, Youth and Family, wanted to pass on her skills to help unearth the talents of other budding young future photographers.

"Having that creative outlet is really beneficial for children, especially at their delicate age when issues such as bullying and peer pressure come in with puberty."

With her classes having already proven successful, Kapanui School year six students participated in her first workshop series last year, before exhibiting their works as part of November's Kapiti Arts Trail.

As a result, 16 students showcased their images at Waikanae Beach's Tutere Gallery and Creative Space and helped raise funds for their Curious Cove camp this year.

In addition, they took away a range of basic training and experience including portraits and nature and sports and photography.

Having taken place across two terms, the once a week classes would again run at Kapanui School, as well as Waikanae School and Paraparaumu School.

"Although we are only 10 and 11 years old, some of us are seriously considering making photography a career," student Jessica Nixon said.

"Even if we don't end up being photographers we will be forever better photographers because of this class."

Kapanui School parent Jo Nixon said she was blown away by the students' photography exhibition last year.

"My daughter loved the photography course taken by Michelle, who encouraged and nurtured the best out of each student. The final exhibition demonstrated the skills she taught them and the beauty she enabled each child to capture."

Kapanui School teacher Diane Richards said for many of the children, it was the first time behind a lens other than their cellphone.

"Both Michelle and I were amazed at the children's creativity and ability to look at the world from a very different perspective. "Visual language is an important part of the New Zealand curriculum.

"Photography enhances creativity and raises children's awareness of the world around them."

To view the students' work, visit www.kapitifuturephotographers.com