Rory's story
Posted 8 March 2012
A Christmas present has turned into a passion for budding photographer Rory O'Chee.
Rory, who is 13, loves taking photos, and has practised his technique taking shots on photo outings with his dad, Bill.
Rory enjoys ‘walking through a scene', and takes his time with different types of shots.
‘He knows what he is doing,' says Bill.
‘He has great insight and figures things out for himself.'
Bill has taken Rory to prominent landmarks and venues around Brisbane—including Roma Street Parklands, the Story Bridge, Kurilpa Bridge and Newstead House—to take photos.
‘He is more expressive using photos rather than words,' says Bill.
‘It's really satisfying and he enjoys it a lot.'
Rory says he enjoys the creativity that is involved with photography.
‘It's nice,' he says.
‘You go to places you haven't been before, and take photos of things that could be interesting.'
He has enjoyed taking photos of the beach, flowers in parks and of City Hall in Brisbane.
‘I like all my photos,' says Rory.
‘They are all different.'
Although he hasn't had a formal lesson, Rory has learnt about lead-in lines from a YouTube video. His dad has also taught him how to use the auto-focus on his camera.
He has also been recognised for his approach behind the lens—with his work being featured in a photographic exhibit in King George Square as part of Down Syndrome Awareness Week in 2011.
Rory has also had photos shown at the Ekka in Brisbane, as well as at the Maleny show and at the Nundah Village Art Festival.
Rory was very pleased when he had his first photo exhibition.
‘I felt happy,' he says.
Bill says being acknowledged for his photos gives Rory a sense of being valued and appreciated by others.
‘It's something special that he can get excited about,' he says.
‘It's given him a whole new way to think about things. He's using technology to overcome disability, and there's something about his photos that people find moving.'
More information
You can view some of Rory's photographs on Disability Online.
