I have cerebral palsy - photography helps keep joy in my life

Lucy_Scope

From BBC News

Rachel Bell and Ken Banks, North East Scotland reporter, reporting from Mintlaw


Jake Smith is a young man with cerebral palsy who does not let it limit him. In fact, he hopes his photography can inspire others to make the most of their life too.

The 21-year-old, who uses a wheelchair, first picked up a camera in earnest about six years ago.

He has become especially keen on wildlife and motorsport photography, and has already had a book of his images published.

"When I get the perfect shot, it makes it all worth it," said Jake, who lives near Ellon in Aberdeenshire.

Cerebral palsy is a developmental disability which affects movement and co-ordination.

Jake has limited use of one hand, so he has developed his own way of taking pictures.

He balances his camera on his left forearm, and then shoots with his right hand.

Jake said this works for him, although it can get a little sore at times.

He also sometimes uses a tripod to help.

"I have a couple of breaks," he told BBC Scotland News.

"Because you're out here for a while and it's a lot to balance this heavy camera."

Jake is a regular visitor to Aden Country Park in Mintlaw, one of his favoured spots in the local Aberdeenshire countryside for capturing wildlife.

His favourite member of the animal world to photograph is the squirrel.

"It makes me so happy, especially with wildlife," he explained.

"When I'm out for hours, to get that perfect shot is unbelievable.

"I just love being creative."

He added: "It's a way for me to be creative from my wheelchair."

His mum, Claire Smith, said she could not be prouder of her son and his passion for photography.

"It's just utterly wonderful that he got into that, that he found that interest," she said.

"It's quite difficult for Jake to have many things going on in his life. It's easy for his brothers who had after-school clubs and different sports. Jake was a bit more limited.

"So to have the photography, that's opened so many doors for him, that's allowed him to be so creative, and so passionate about something, so interested in something, it's just been wonderful."

She added: "Watching the journey that he's been on, to now get us to the stage of him being able to create the book, it's just been fantastic."

Through his photographs, and now his book, Jake hopes others might be able to see the world as he does.

Jake's message is: "I think life is too short and you've got to live it for sure.

"Just be positive."

StarryEyed

What a beautiful article. Thank you for posting this, Lucy. I've always been into photography, and it's actually one of the sad points in my life right now because I don't get out as much since my feet gave out on me a few years ago. So photography is my biggest incentive to getting out.

In case anyone wants to know more about Jake, his Facebook page is "Jake Smith Photography", and his book is here:

https://www.stellarstationery.co.uk/product/see-the-world-as-i-do-by-jake-smith?srsltid=AfmBOornaVbkkb23s6njXmh8-G8Vq3uKjIE3SGxeohWoEaT9yGGtL-mG