Snap! Mum follows in Jo’s career path

Jan 28 2008 by Wendy Horton, South Wales Echo

AS retirement age approaches, most people look forward to leaving the pressures of the working world behind them.

Not so for one ambitious woman from Nelson, Caerphilly, who has decided to embark on a new career path at the age of 60.

Jan Nelson has set up her own photography business in the town.

The former chiropodist launched her new venture last month after turning her passion, which she shared with daughter and former Echo photographer Joanne Nelson, into a full-time job.

Jan, who also has a grown up son Gary, said: “I became interested in photography because of Joanne.

“When she was in college, I would drive her around for different photo shoots and sit in the car and watch her take the pictures.

“She joined a camera club and the more she got into it, the more I got into it and got my own camera.

“It just grew on my really.”

Then at the age of 52 fate struck when Jan snapped a tendon in her hand while working as a custody officer for a security firm.

She had to give up work and, despite difficulty in holding a camera, took up her hobby with renewed vigour.

“When I was off work following the accident it nearly drove me mad.

“It was then I learned all about photography and editing.

“If it hadn’t been for photography I would have gone mad with boredom.”

Jan has set up her business in Nelson’s High Street, thanks to a start up grant from Caerphilly council.

While her mum is now a full-time photographer, Joanne has left professional photography behind and this May is due to graduate in plant science and landscape gardening in America where she has lived for the past two and a half years.

She is settled in Cleveland, Ohio, with businessman fiance, Doug McSorley but the pair are returning to these shores in the summer to tie the knot at Miskin Manor before returning to live in the States.

For more information on grants available from the council ring 01443 866222.

wendy.horton@mediawales.co.uk