Pictures are in the frame

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
Several cameras later and with numerous family holidays, school camps and even her pet dog as subjects of her photographs, the Gladysdale resident has developed an ‘eye’ for photography.
Carly finds the task difficult at times with medical hurdles including cerebral palsy, epilepsy and a limited used of her legs and left hand, but she remains determined to enjoy and excel in an activity that gives her independence and adventure.
“I can look at something and see it as a photo,” she said.
“We’re doing portraits at the moment, but I don’t like to use a tripod because I lose that independence.”
Carly began learning with a film camera at Little Yarra Steiner School, where she was able to develop her own photos.
The active program brought her creative side out and encouraged Carly to combine her two favourite hobbies – cooking and photography – into a printed recipe book for her Year 12 project.
“I found recipes of all my favourite cakes and slices because I’m a very big sweet tooth and I made and photographed them and put it together as a book,” she said.
Now Carly takes part in a life skills program through Interchange Outer East where her group is studying and practising the art of photography.
“I got taught how to use the manual settings on my Fuji, but I still get told I’m quite adventurous with my photos,” she said.
Carly is holding her first solo exhibition Looking Through My Eyes on 5 March, the day after her 22nd birthday, to show off a collection of photos including some that are close to her heart.
“This is a tribute to my Nan who passed away a month ago,” she said.
Her nan had lived in Albury before moving in with the family for the last 18 years, and Carly would take photos to show her what the changing water levels and surrounds at Bonnie Doon looked like.
Some of these photos and more will be on display at Warburton’s Café Meccanica, with the opening from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday, 5 March.