Focus on wildlife at photography festival
Wildlife photography workshops at the Red Kite Centre at Argaty near Doune has been organised as part of this year’s Stirling Photography Festival.
The free workshops will be taken by Riverside photographer Mandy Williams on Monday, August 19 and Monday, August 26 from noon to 4pm.
The festival, now in its second year, will take place over the months of August and September and feature a range of free talks, walks, workshops and exhibitions funded by Stirling Crowdfunder.
Mandy grew up in Manchester where her parents ran a wedding photography studio, but her dad’s main interest was always landscape photography which he still does to this day.
Mandy’s day job is managing sports shop Run For It in Bridge of Allan. Last year she won the Red Kite Centre’s photographer of the year competition.
She said:“Both my mum and dad were both photographers and it has always been my hobby from a young age. I won my first competition when I was eight.
“I love photographing wildlife and helping raise awareness on protecting our environment. I’m excited to work with the festival and to help photographers experience wildlife in the Stirling area.
“A few years ago I sustained a running injury and I got back into photography to give me something to do.”
Street Level Photographers of Glasgow will also bring the exhibition Girls and their Mothers by Scottish photographer Kim Simpson to the Macrobert for the festival.
The arts centre’s director Kathryn Welch commented: “This year’s programme is packed with fantastic events, and it’s a tribute to the festival’s collaborative, partnership-based approach that we’ve been able to team up with Street Level to bring this exhibition to Stirling.”
A total of £5000 to £6000 has been raised through Crowdfunding Stirling to fund this year’s free events.
Stirling Council leader Scott Farmer praised the fundraising campaign which, he said, supported a festival which backs Stirling photographers and encourages photography enthusiasts to visit the district.
He added:“It is another example of how Crowdfunding Stirling can enable groups and businesses to bring projects to life. It’s important that communities across Stirling are aware that this funding is available for them and hopefully more can follow in the footsteps of the festival organisers.”
For more information go to the website: www. stirlingphotographyfestival. co.uk or www.facebook.com/ StirlingPF