18/02/2026
AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
Today, on 18th February 2020 Lee received an email from a professional photographer saying she was "buying" into all the hype and was overreacting! That she was being brainwashed by those in power and was, single handedly, hurting the photographic industry! (YES, seriously!)
All because Lee knew what was coming and took a VERY early decision to postpone (NOT cancel) ALL our Welshot events - To keep not only the health and well-being of our delegates safe, but also their money.
In April 2009, when we launched the Welshot Photographic Academy - We wanted to build a place for those who loved photography had a safe place to pick up a camera, without the fear that they didn't have the right kit (ie, a 5-10K+ camera and all the expensive lenses) or that they didn't know their f-stop from the shutter speed.
It was to be about the photography, the learning, the fun, the friendships forged and the confidence gained.
We are proud of what we have built, we LOVE what we do but we want to do more... We want photography to be the vehicle, not the outcome...
You are going to see some big changes at Welshot over the coming months, how we work, what we do and who we do it for - We suppose you could say we are going back to our roots and that it's about helping people feel great about themselves rather than making award winning images.
We will build on our existing work, using photography (and other creative mediums) as an accessible and inclusive creative tool to support mental health, wellbeing and confidence for children, teens and adults.
Our sessions will create calm, supportive spaces where people can explore creativity at their own pace, without pressure or expectation.
The focus is not on technical perfection, but on the experience itself, encouraging self-expression, connection, and a sense of achievement through making images.
Photography offers a powerful way for individuals to engage, communicate and feel included, particularly for those who may struggle with confidence, anxiety, or traditional learning environments.
By removing barriers such as equipment costs and prior experience, Welshot will ensure that everyone can take part.
Over time, the organisation will expand to include other creative mediums, while remaining rooted in photography as a welcoming starting point for creativity, wellbeing and inclusion.
That email Lee received on 18th February 2020 from a professional photographer was probably the catalyst for the ideas which formed in our minds. This has been a long time coming and to say we are excited about this next chapter of our working lives is an understatement...
If you want to know more, be kept in the loop, there's a link in the comments where you can sign up to our e-Newsletters - hit the link - scroll down and Join the Newsletter...
