Retired farmer Pam Gresty has started winning photo awards, less than two years after joining her local camera club. Having moved to Conwy in 2021 with her husband Bob, she no longer had livestock to feed and had more time on her hands. She took up photography and joined Conwy Camera Club.
Now, at the end of only her second season with the club, one of her photos has been chosen as the chairperson’s favourite image of the 2022/23 season. Her photo ‘Afternoon Tea’ is a clever composition using cups and cutlery in a clock-like arrangement. Mike Castle, whose term as chairperson has now ended, chose it because of its pictorial appeal and because it reflects how quickly Pam has developed as a photographer.
Pam, who lives with Parkinson’s, also joined the Disabled Photographers’ Society, where she has gained success in a number of UK-wide competitions. The Disabled Photographers’ Society is a UK-wide club with over 450 members.
Pam said: “ It was a major decision in my life to give up 23 years of farming and retire along with my husband. Moving to Conwy has given me opportunities to look at new hobbies. Taking up photography and joining Conwy Camera Club has allowed me to meet like minded people and make new friends. The workshops, experience and events within the Club has improved my photography skills and confidence.”
Henrique Fino, the club’s new chairperson, said: “Everyone in the club was delighted when Pam’s ‘Afternoon Tea’ image was chosen as Mike’s favourite image of the season. She is one of the members who have joined the club in the last few years and whose enthusiasm has helped the club to bounce back from the pandemic.”
Pam’s husband Bob joined Conwy Camera Club to support her – but quickly caught the photographic bug! He is now the club’s vice-chairperson.
You can see Pam’s documentary photo project about her transition from farming to her new life in Conwy in the Members’ Projects gallery.