Mum’s journey from the rails to the lens
A railway station master is continuing her journey behind the camera – by becoming a Master Photographer.
By day Stephanie McGahan is the friendly face behind the counter at Troon Station.
But off duty the 55- year- old is following her passion – photographing dogs.
She has just been licensed by the Master Photographer Association ( MPA) after judges’ commendation for a “stunning panel of dog portraits.”
The mum- of- two, from Coylton, runs Stephanie Ann Pet Photography, when not looking after train passengers.
Before her ScotRail work, her claim to fame was as the first female driver of a freight train in Scotland.
And Stephanie said: “I came to photography through my attempts to capture my own dogs’ lives, and it just grew from there as my skills improved.
“Now I get to do the same for others, which I feel privileged to be able to do, as one day photos and memories are all we have left of our four legged friends.”
Licentiateship of the MPA is the hardest qualification to achieve within photography.
And a spokesman said: “Entering the Association at probationary level and reaching the required high standards of this qualification is a massive achievement.
“Not only do you have to submit an extensive panel of photographic images, which are displayed and judged in front of five Fellows of the industry, but you also must produce an in depth working profile, about your work and business practices.”
Stephanie, a former Auchinleck Academy pupil, gained an HNC in Portraiture at Ayr College five years ago, learning the art of light and shade.
Honing her work as a member of Ayr Photographic Society, she has won awards for best intermediate and advanced prints.
And she is clearly doggy- daft and helps out with local dog rescue.
Stephanie has three hounds of her own, but says: “I am always sad when I hear that a client’s dog has passed away.
“Just for an hour or so, you have a bond with both pet and owner. When the owners get in touch with such news, I always like to make a commemorative piece, as a gift, and hope it eases their pain just a little.”
I came to photography through my attempt to capture my dog’s lives