A PHOTOGRAPHER from Bettws will be launching workshops for pupils when he opens his new studio next month.

Jacob McCarthy, 18, of Dart Road, is opening his first photography studio in Newport Arcade, High Street, where he plans to host free photography workshops to teach employable skills to school pupils and charities for young people.

He said: “I want to make photography more accessible, especially since it can be expensive without help.

“I didn’t have that opportunity and wish I’d had someone to help me, so I’m trying to do that for more young people now.

“There isn’t really anything similar in the centre of Newport, it was quite a conscious decision to be based in the centre.

“ In this business your portfolio has to be strong,

“I want to help build and better them for school pupils who will be able to use the facilities here.

“I’ve been doing photography for the last four years now.

“I went to university for the past year to study photography but it wasn’t for me.

“I did photography for GCSE and A level at school but they are very theoretical and students don’t have the opportunity to use a professional studio.”

The studio will have two floors which will showcase Mr McCarthy’s work which is primarily digital photography and will also feature sculptures from artists in the area.

The photographer aims to teach primary school pupils basic photography skills and older pupils technical skills and how to produce a diverse body of work.

He said: “I’ve been working with a young photographer for about a year who has set up his own business. I thought I would go for it as well, take a risk.

“It’s been a dream of mine to own my own business.”

The 18-year-old won the 2013 International Award for Documentary Photography for his piece called home where he was competing against photographers from a host of European Countries and China.

He is currently looking for some sponsorship for the youth training via Kickstarter, and that bid for £750 says: “We hope to achieve a strong connection with local projects and schools and aim to provide 1,000 young people from the south Wales area with employable photographic skills.

“Our aim is serve four main high schools and two primary schools within our area. This means we hope to educate approximately 300 students who can walk away from our course with a certificate of completion and a newfound confidence within themselves.” The studio will be opening on July 10 where Reconcile, a Newport band, will be performing along with others. Visit www.jacobmccarthy.co.uk