Short Film Series & Photo Exhibition Launches Featuring the Work of Five Extraordinary Photographers

Ian Treherne was born profoundly deaf and has used film and photography from childhood to help him cope with anxiety and isolation. When, aged 15, Treherne was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that will eventually lead to him losing his vision entirely, he became determined to forge a career in photography. His work is evocative and challenging, with a unique style that reflects the limited field of his own vision. The camera acts as an equaliser for Treherne, as looking through the lens allows a similar limited field of vision as he experiences in his daily life. Treherne uses photography as a tool to compensate for his lack of sight, helping him to express himself and connect with the world on his own terms. It helps him combat the sense of isolation, anxiety and stress brought about by his condition and to confront and come to terms with the reality of one day losing his eyesight completely.

In recent years, Treherne has campaigned to raise awareness of his condition and change the perception of disability, which led to him being nomination for the ‘Person of the Year’ award by disability charity Sense in September 2017. He also featured on the Channel 4 show ‘The Undateables’ earlier in the year.

Ian has featured at a number of solo exhibitions across the UK, including ‘Release’, which runs until 14 October 2017 at the Beecroft Art Gallery in Southend, Essex.

©Ian Treherne

Jim Mortram is the creator of Small Town Inertia, an award-winning documentary and portraiture series focusing on the market town of Dereham, Norfolk. Having been a carer for his mother from a young age, Mortram developed an anxiety disorder so severe that he didn’t speak for almost a year. Being loaned a camera by a school friend arrested his descent into depression and near total isolation, ultimately providing a lifeline to his community and a sense of belonging for himself. Initially using the camera for his own recovery, Jim now turns the lens on those living on the margins of society, highlighting the need, fear and daily battles that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Based in the small market town of Dereham in Norfolk, Mortram is a full-time carer for his elderly mother, who suffers from chronic epilepsy. Following a long period of anxiety and depression triggered by the isolation of his daily and nightly routine, Mortram turned to photography as a means to reconnect with himself and reintegrate himself with the community. Since 2016, he has worked with other people living on the margins of society, both as a carer and photographer. The long-term photographic project Small Town Inertia that came off the back of this work has won numerous awards and is now the subject of a photobook published by Bluecoat Press. Mortram was one of the BJP’s Ones to Watch in 2013.Inertia

©Jim Mortram

More Than an Image was conceived by Wex Photo Video to explore the true power of photography, the reasons behind why we take photographs, and the unique stories behind individual photographers’ work. Originally launched in 2016, the first film of the campaign, focusing on Giles Duley, went on to win two Royal Television Society Awards and has been screened as part of two film festivals.

The films were produced by Tom Martin and Dan Leonard of Forward, a Norwich-based production company. “We were excited and intrigued to receive such a challenging brief from Wex,” says Tom. “It was a real honour to work with such an inspirational group of photographers and help share their stories with the world.”

Commenting, Matt Devine, Head of Content at Wex Photo Video, said: “The idea behind More Than an Image is to get to the very heart of why people take photographs. By telling the unique stories of these inspirational people, we are exploring the true power of the art form and reassuring photographers of all backgrounds and skill levels that, regardless of gear, subject or technique, photography has a purpose. In a world where people are bombarded with images, adverts and clickbait, it’s important to take stock of what photography really means and strive to create impactful content that will genuinely connect with our audience.”

“We’re delighted and honoured to be working with Ian and Jim on this project, both of whose work I’ve long admired. All five photographers featured in More Than an Image share our belief that there is more to photography than creating beautiful images, and it is part of our ethos as a business to promote that motivational message.”

^{The first film will be launched online on Monday 16th October, with films released weekly until 13th November. From 1st November, an exhibition of photographs will go on display at the new flagship London Wex Photo Video store, due to open at the end of October.}

^{The 2016 films, re-edited with unseen footage, are:}

• Making the Invisible Visible: Hannah Laycock creates photographic art to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis and illustrate what it is like to suffer from the condition
• Changing the World: Giles Duley works to highlight the plight of civilians caught up in conflict in the Middle East. During one such mission to Afghanistan, Giles himself suffered life-changing injuries when he stepped on an IED; but he continues his work to help others
• Photography Saved My Life: Daniel Regan relies on his camera to deal with mental-health issues. Having developed strategies to cope with his own condition, he now helps others combat their own mental-health problems through photography and art

©Hannah Laycock

©Daniel Regan

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