Five-year-old school pupil to launch first photography exhibition

Photography event: Nadine will be the youngest artist taking part in the exhibition.HEMEDIA / SWNS

A talented young photographer is preparing to hold her first photography exhibition at the age of five.

Nadine Ralston, from Aberdeen, began taking pictures when she was just four and has already wowed experienced photographers and judges with her creative pieces.

The Woodside Primary school pupil is the youngest person to launch an exhibition in the North East Open Studios event which begins on Saturday.

Her mother Abeer Helmi, 42, said Nadine was bouncing with excitement with the opening of the gallery at Blooms and Balloons in Aberdeen.

Ms Helmi said: "She can't wait to start the exhibition. She's not seen the photos up on the wall yet so I think she'll be surprised when she sees them.

“Nadine's just so passionate about photography. She was only four when she first started.

"One day she just picked up my second-hand camera and began taking lots of photos - that's where it all started.

"We've both gone through all the photos and picked some of the best for the exhibition. Most are of nature, like flowers and swans."

Nadine has already received accolades for her artwork and Ms Helmi thinks her daughter will become a professional photographer when she is older.

The mother-of-two said: "It's completely up to her what she wants to do, but from what people tell me, she's certainly got the natural talent.

"She took part in a competition down at the River Don taking photos of the water and the judges all agreed that the one she submitted was brilliant.

Nadine has a creative eye for things that other people cannot see and will not stop snapping until she is happy that the final result is perfect.

Ms Helmi, who works as an archaeologist, said: "She likes going on walks and taking pictures of objects or things that she really likes. She spots things I'd never normally notice.

"She's a perfectionist though. Nadine will take as many pictures as she wants until she gets the perfect photo, she won't settle for something that isn't quite right.

Suzie Rodger, who is running Nadine's exhibition at her shop Blooms and Balloons, said the youngster's work immediately captured her eye when she first saw it.

She said: "Nadine just jumped out at me. For a five-year-old to produce such fantastic photos is amazing - I just had to get them for the exhibition.

"If she can create photos like that now, what are they going to be like when she's older?"

People who read this story also read