Photography by Oliver Hellowell

www.oliverhellowell.com www.facebook.com/OliverHellowellPhotographer

Oliver Hellowell is a young man fast achieving his dream of becoming a professional Landscape and Wildlife Photographer. He also happens to have Down Syndrome.

Having previously published a book independently in 2015, 'Oliver's Birds' is however his first book to be published by an established international publisher ACC Art Books.

Oliver was featured in a film and interview on BBC's 'The One Show' in January 2019 and presented Matt Baker with the first printed copy of 'Oliver's Birds' LIVE on the programme.

In 2015 Oliver won the National Diversity Award for Best Role Model for Disability.

Oliver was born and diagnosed with Down Syndrome on 5th July 1996. At 3 months old he underwent life-saving open heart surgery and during his early years was diagnosed with additional issues including predictions by therapists that he would never manage speech and that severely poor muscle tone would negate ability to take part in any sporting activities. However with staunch support, fun, determination, love and encouragement from his Mother Wendy and big sister Anna, Oliver defied all expectations and learned to skateboard, play football and snooker, and after much work, his speech emerged leaving him perfectly able to hold a conversation with whomever he chooses!

Oliver always loved animals and the countryside and would frequently ask to go "out to the Wild!" and built up a truly massive collection of books, most of which were about animals, wildlife, and nature.

At 9 years old Mike came into Oliver's life, and became his much beloved stepfather. Mike is a photographer and Oliver became fascinated with his cameras wanting to be able to take photographs like him. He soon became dissatisfied with a bridge camera and began using Mike's spare Canon 5D. Once Oliver's photography had really taken off he asked to hold an exhibition and sale of his work which then funded his own camera and lens. Successive exhibitions and sales have funded his current camera and lenses which are a Canon 5D Mk III , with a Canon 100-400 and Canon 17-40.

Oliver is testament to the fact, that when surrounded by love optimism and joy, one can achieve almost anything :)