FOURTEEN-year-old Ethan Weston has his sights set on a career in photography after completing the bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Program.
The year nine Tamborine Mountain State High School student spent three months volunteering with Mountain Mates photographing their activities and events.
“I decided to apply to challenge myself and build on my personality and who I am and to gain confidence in speaking with new people and getting to do more sports and fun activities,” Ethan said.
He chose to participate with Mountain Mates after a family friend suggested it would be a great place to volunteer.
“It has been exciting. I’ve been able to engage with everyone and embrace my camera skills, which I needed practice in, and I love helping everyone,” he shared.
“I joined not knowing what to do. My camera skills have improved. I get better every time and am learning how to use a camera; it’s what I’d like to do as a job in the future. It makes me express myself, which I normally wouldn’t.”
Ethan said he hopes to continue volunteering with Mountain Mates and go on to do his silver and gold award levels with them in the next couple of years too.
Mountain Mates facilitator Janis Bailey said Ethan was a delightful young man and despite being quiet and initially shy he showed maturity beyond his years.
“Ethan further developed his photographic skills, which were already advanced and responded well to suggestions about styles and techniques,” she said.
“As photography is Ethan’s passion, he was particularly inspired and very appreciative of the guidance given by Ryan Gittoes, professional photographer and videographer from the Knoll Studio. We hope that his obvious rapport with Ryan leads to more collaboration between them.”
Ethan encouraged other students to join the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Program and consider volunteering with the Mountain Mates too.
