A DEESIDE woman is setting out to defy her disability by working towards her dreams of becoming a photographer.

Isabella Nunns, from Shotton, has dreamt of being a photographer since she was in high school, but being born with a genetic condition called optic atrophy, a result from damage to the optic nerves, was set to stand in her way.

The former Hawarden High School pupil said: “A career that relies on your vision so much was not recommended for me. I struggled with my disability, feeling less than everyone else and losing confidence when constantly faced with not being able to see.

“After leaving school, I decided that I would not let my visual impairment stop me from achieving my ambitions. I went to Coleg Cambria to study Creative Media Production where I began to receive encouragement from my lecturers and ended with being awarded as Student of the Year.

“Now I do not let my disability be a concern and from speaking to other people with similar situations it has helped me tremendously.”

As well as learning the basics of photography, the 22-year-old also had to discover methods where her eyes let her down and compensates by learning as much of the technical side of the profession as possible.

Isabella explained to the Leader how managing the lighting, equipment and camera settings that she has chosen for situations means her images should have a higher chance of being successful, giving her more time to focus on the difficult part of not being able to see facial expressions of models.

For this, Isabella has had to learn how to read the energy of her models and to have an idea how they are feeling.

She said: “I am learning more ways to work with my disability. It is a part of me, and I no longer want to be ashamed of that.

“Photography allows me to see again through a new perspective, which fuels the creative side of my work.”

The Glyndwr University student is currently studying for a degree in photography and film whilst building up a client base with her own photography business - Tricabella Photography.

Isabella was inspired after meeting David Katz earlier this year, who is an award winning legally blind photographer bringing awareness to being able achieve your goals even with a disability.

She said: “I wish to carry on fighting through the stigma and continue to ignore those who say that I cannot be a photographer with poor vision.”

To see more of Isabella’s work, go to www.tricabellaphotography.com