A BUDDING photographer will be displaying an exhibition of some of his finest images in Westonzoyland this month.

Oliver Hellowell is a young, ambitious boy who dreams of one day being a professional wildlife and landscape photographer. 

The 18-year-old has Down syndrome but continues to show his true potential and has developed as a photographer under the guidance and encouragement of his stepfather and mentor Mike O'Carroll.

Oliver's photographs are presented as high quality images which reflect his view of the world and his emerging sense of perspective and composition.

Wendy O'Carroll, Oliver's mum and founder of Ups and Downs South West, spoke highly of his achievements so far and his passion for photography.

She said: “Life with Oliver is all about 'enjoying the madness' as my husband describes it - and although life can be challenging it is certainly never dull.

“Oliver is a funny, amazing, random, kind of guy who brings a smile to my face several times every day - provides his own unique perspective on the world - and we are all the richer for his being here.

“Oliver now attends a mainstream college in Taunton Somerset England and hopes to be able to further his photography to a point where it can be his form of income. 

“One of Oliver's regular followers from the US told us how she was sat in a jazz bar in Wisconsin and ended up speaking to a couple who were on holiday from the UK.

“She mentioned that she followed a very talented photographer with Down syndrome from the UK and the couple knew who she was talking about; so Oliver is being talked about in over countries.

“He wants to be 'a professional' and after everything else he has achieved against all the odds - who out there dares to say he can't?”

The exhibition will be held at The Old School, Westonzoyland, from 10am-4pm on November 15-16.

All images are available as prints and/or canvasses and come with a laminated card explaining about the photographer. 

To buy any of Oliver's images visit oliverhellowell.com