TWENTY-one-year-old photographer and entrepreneur Jade Eaton will be crossing the Irish Sea to offer specially discounted ‘festive mini-photoshoots’ back in her home town of Hereford this weekend as a way of giving back to the local community.

Jade has taken a photographic course at the University of Ulster, where she discovered a natural gift for working with people. Now she’s “super excited” to be flying home to run a special photoshoot on the Castle Green in Hereford where the pavilion will be transformed into a ‘winter wonderland’. She has also organised for two children’s clothing companies to take part in the event, not to mention that Hereford Football Club teddy bears will be available to buy too.

“I do a lot of other commercial photography but my favourite is working with people,” says Jade. “It’s taken me a while to figure out my niche but in fact it’s been right in front of me all along. My portraits specialise in the authenticity of a person, no fake smiles or poses, though I still do the poses because what family doesn’t want a pretty picture.”

Her favourite images are those that capture the personality, the “essence” of the subject. Says Jade: “I’ve always been told I’m easy to talk to, I’m comfortable to be around and this seems to allow a lot of people that I haven’t known for very long to open up.

“It is easy to photograph outer beauty, but to photograph inner beauty, I think that’s what a photographer is all about.”

Jade admits she has had her own struggles in life, but at 19 she succeeded in securing a university place.

“I’m almost at the end of my degree, and working part-time in the busiest supermarket express store in Northern Ireland, working to improve my skills as a photographer and my entrepreneurial skills within my own business.”

She explains why she is returning home to Hereford this weekend. “I have such determination to plan such a great event that will give back to the local community,” she says.

“I began my business in 2013 to earn me some extra income and skills. People put their trust in me, they welcomed me into their children’s parties and into their homes for photoshoots. They saw something in me and my work, and it led me to where I am right now and I couldn’t say thank you enough to the people from where I began.”

Jade says her festive mini photoshoots will be offered at a “huge discounted price”.

Bookings for Jade’s photoshoot this weekend can be made on her website, www.jadeeatonphotography.co.uk