24.02.12
National Autism Society launches friendship-themed photography competition
The National Autistic Society (NAS) is inviting the public to look at autism through a lens as it launches a friendship-themed photography competition in celebration of the charity’s 50th anniversary.
The competition is a chance for entrants to capture what friendship means to them or celebrate someone who has been a friend to them or made a difference to their life.
The winner will enjoy a private photography session with John Swannell, world renowned fashion, beauty and royal photographer and the man behind the recently published Diamond Jubilee portraits of the Queen.
The competition closes on the 17 May 2012 and the shortlist of 12 entries and overall winner will be selected by a judging panel led by John. Joining John on the judging panel will be Hilary Alexander, British fashion industry legend and former Fashion Director at the Telegraph; Kayte Brimacombe, a photojournalist who has shot pictures for The Independent, The Telegraph and Marie Claire; and Jay Blue, amateur photographer and female autistic writer, poet and public speaker.
John Swannell said: “Photography has the power to capture the stories, emotions and special moments that underlie human relationships and this competition is a chance for everyone to get involved and explore those ideas in relation to autism. For my son Charlie, growing up with autism has brought many challenges and the condition can be incredibly isolating at times. This competition is a chance to cast a light on some of the challenges that people with autism can face, while exploring the meaning of friendship and celebrating the special relationships that mean so much to people with autism and their families.”
Over the last year, John and his wife Marianne have raised £27,000 in aid of the Transforming Lives Project, a collaboration with the NAS to help support young adults as they move from childhood into adulthood.
Mark Lever, Chief Executive of the NAS, said: “People with autism can sometimes find it difficult to form friendships, but at the NAS, we are determined that everyone with the condition gets the support they need to access the social opportunities others can take for granted. 50 years ago the NAS started as a small group of friends who met around a kitchen table frustrated at the lack of understanding and help available. 50 years later, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our anniversary than by inviting people affected by autism across the UK to share their photos and tell us what friendship means to them in 2012."
Entrants for the NAS’ 50th anniversary photography competition are asked to use their camera to show what friendship means to them. Entrants can submit their photographs by visiting www.autism.org.uk/50photocomp. People can also visit the site to view entries and vote for their favourites.
Shortlisted entries and the winner will be revealed at the Autism Show in June. The winner will receive an Olympus PEN mini camera worth more than £400 and a private photography session with John Swannell. The entry that receives the most public votes on the competition microsite will also receive an Olympus PEN mini camera.
The competition is open to UK residents of all ages, excluding NAS staff.
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