LOUISE Richards’ love affair with photography began when she was handed a polaroid camera by her parents at Christmas aged ten.

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Photography has been in Louise’s life ever since.

“My nana always took photos and I loved looking through them, it really inspired me,” said Louise.

Her childhood passion turned into a career, capturing the special moments in people’s lives.

“I was a wedding and portrait photographer for about 25 years and about five years ago I moved into landscape and seascape photography. It’s my passion. I feel I have found my niche,” she said.

Louise’s recent work has been inspired by the natural beauty of the world around her.

“Mother Nature inspires my work, I love being out in nature witnessing the earth’s beauty.

“My favourite place to be is on the beach, sand between the toes watching the sun come up over the horizon.

“Photography is my oxygen,” Louise said.

Based in Hawks Nest, there is no shortage of amazing landscape scenery from which to take inspiration.

“We live in the most amazing place, I grew up camping at Mungo Brush exploring the beaches, lakes and river.

“My parents, Grandparents and extended families spend every school holiday at the Myall Lakes, and I have such beautiful memories.

“My Late Grandfather even had a shack up on the beach.

“In his retirement he spent six months in his caravan up in the National Park.”

Louise’s work has recently been recognized in The Rise International Photography Awards, receiving six Bronze Awards for photos of the local area.

“My scores were all in the high 70’s, nothing under 75 gets an award.

“I got one 79 which was one point off a silver award.

“All the images except for one were of the Myall Coast and the other was from Nelson Bay,” he said.

A few days later, Louise was awarded a Silver Award in the Landscape Category of the 2020 Epson International Pano Awards.

Louise is also using her photography skills in the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

“My 8 year old son Kye has this disease and we are fighting to find a cure,” said Louise.

“Many children as young as 11 have passed away from this genetic childhood killer that has no cure and is 100% fatal.

“I am trying to get awareness out there for this disease that is considered rare, which affects children around the globe.”

Louise’s late brother Paul also lived with the disease, tragically passing away in 2006 aged just 26.

To raise awareness, Louise is selling 2021 calendars, with $1 from each calendar going towards DMD research.

“The calendars feature imagery of our local area and can be purchased from Hawks Nest Gallery or online through my photography website.

“Every bit of awareness we can get out there helps. There is a lot happening in the research world so we never give up hope.”

To learn more about Louise’s work visit her website at www.louiserichardsphotography.com.au.

By Doug CONNOR