Job change brings new focus in life
A local photographer is lifting spirits with his uniquely stunning views of Hamilton and the surrounding areas.
Stewart Gray has captured footage of historical landmarks – including Hamilton Mausoleum – that he obtained through a drone.
The 25-year-old recently decided to make photography his full-time profession after seeing the positive reaction his pictures were getting, admitting his “passion needed more commitment”.
Stewart told the Advertiser: “I packed in my job in May to go professional but coronavirus has held me back.
“Since then I’ve just been building my portfolio and plan on launching an online store on my website.
“My last theme was Lanarkshire from the air but when I did my research it seemed to be all the Hamilton family and the barony of Cadzow, so it centred a lot round that.
“I’m going to do Lanarkshire industries soon so I’m doing my research on that, then I will be out on my mountain bike with my drone and camera gear and capture that stuff. The drone’s pretty amazing. I’d describe it as military technology, it can reach up to 6.6 miles.”
Stewart’s photos have been liked and shared by hundreds on his Facebook page, including many locals who have been fascinated with his unique captures.
The snapper is delighted to see them doing so well. He added: “I was travelling in Europe around three-and-a-half years ago and I snapped a photo in Switzerland and it ended up in National Geographic, on their social media outlets.
“That was the first time I’d ever taken a picture at night and that’s where it began. Ever since then I’ve had the bug.
“It’s a confidence boost seeing people’s reactions. When you get stuff shared it really does push your creativity.
“People don’t really know what’s actually out there, there’s so much history and it’s good to give people that wee bit of insight into something that’s right at their doorstep.
“I think the secret is when you’re out at these locations to take a photo of a wellknown location that no-one’s really seen before, or use a technique to bring it out best.”
Bellshill man Stewart says he got an eerie feeling of capturing a ghost town at M&D’S while he was out cycling during lockdown, which his followers loved.
And due to travel restrictions at the time, Stewart ended up going out walking and cycling more to local beauty spots including Chatelherault Park – which made for more fantastic photos.
You can see more of Stewart’s work at : www. f acebook. com/ stewartgrayphotography