Wagga Wagga professional photographer Jypsie Cronan with her father and son. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
Photographers from Riverina have directed their cameras toward the elder community to illuminate their stories and legacies.
The Shine a Light photography contest and initiative by the Forrest Centre aims to commend ageing and acknowledge the contributions and memories of local individuals.
In this year’s competition, local photographer Jypsie Cronan secured the People’s Choice award for her image capturing her daughter grasping the hands of her late great-grandfather, and she also won the Professional Photographer award for a photo featuring her son and father.
Isabelle Armstrong, a student from Wagga Christian College, achieved victory in the Teen Photographers category for her image of her grandmother harvesting a lemon.
“Holding Onto The Next Generation is of my grandfather, who died in April, and my daughter,” Jypsie recounted. “They were holding hands, and I felt it was such a lovely photo.
“The Professional Photographer entry, Just Like Grandad, was actually orchestrated by my dad for my son’s fourth birthday.
“They had identical little red tricycles and a Harley. Both donned leather jackets, wore their hair down, and had sunglasses on. It all came together beautifully.”
Jypsie’s photo of her father and son won the Professional Photography award. Photo: Jypsie Cronan.
Jypsie did not anticipate winning the awards and believed another picture would have clinched the Professional Photographer category.
The photographer expressed that the competition aimed at capturing and presenting the elder community was crucial.
“It’s a generation we’re losing far too quickly, and we need to record their images and convey their narratives.”
Holding Onto The Next Generation photo won the People’s Choice award. Photo: Jypsie Cronan.
Isabelle, at sixteen, ventured out for a photoshoot alongside her grandmother, grandfather, and younger sibling, capturing numerous images.
“We captured a multitude of photos, and A Spot of Yellow was one that particularly resonated with me,” Isabelle mentioned.
“It features Grandma’s hand holding a lemon from her garden at Dalrido, where she once resided on the farm.”
Isabelle Armstrong with her grandmother. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
The aspiring photographer expressed her joy about receiving an award for her image.
“I am incredibly thankful, and I think it’s remarkable,” she shared. “I didn’t expect to win.
“There was quite a bit of stiff competition.”
For the novice photographer, photography represents a unique craft and a “pleasant means to somewhat escape from reality.”
A Gentle Spot of Yellow narrates a story within itself. Photo: Isabelle Armstrong.
Isabelle mentioned the significance of highlighting the elderly generation through photography.
“They are all incredible individuals with the warmest hearts,” she expressed.
“They are frequently ignored, and it’s wonderful to be able to cast the spotlight.”
“I am extremely thankful to Grandma for participating in the photo session.”
The Forrest Centre CEO Evan Robertson remarked that working with the elderly was a privilege for the aged care provider.
“Elderly individuals are vital members of our community – they work, they volunteer, they create, they laugh, they love,” Mr. Robertson stated. “Yet far too often, their narratives remain unspoken, and their contributions go unrecognized.
“The Shine a Light photography competition is our initiative to dismantle stereotypes and illuminate ageing in all its richness and variety.”