Talented Knaresborough photographer Alex Heron is working on a unique portrait photography project that she hopes will break down barriers around autism.

The 24-year-old former King James’s pupil has Asperger’s syndrome and wants to take portrait photographs of local people who are on the autism spectrum to help them feel more comfortable with the disorder and change negative perceptions about what autism is.

Alex has had her work published in Italian Vogue and is passionate about shooting on 35mm and 120 medium format film photography.

She said:

“I didn’t tell anyone I had Asperger’s until I went to university. I was so scared to tell people because I thought they would judge me.

“On TV and film, autism is portrayed as someone rocking back or forth in a chair, or a Rain Man ‘savant’ type character, but there is a spectrum.

“I really want to show it’s a broad spectrum from all ages and walks of life. This project will help people see the ordinary face of autism”.

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Alex got into film photography after she inherited an old camera from her grandfather. She said shooting on film helps her slow down from the frantic pace of life.

“Being autistic, the world can be a busy and scary place, but film photography forces you to be within that moment and slow down. It really calms me down.”

Some of Alex’s previous work.

Her ambition is to turn her autism portraits into a coffee table book or have them shown at a gallery exhibition.

Alex said she wants to reassure anyone who might be nervous about having their photo taken that the project is “just about showing them how they authentically are”.

She will begin shooting the portraits once covid restrictions are eased. If you would like to take part in Alex’s project, email: her.on.shoots@gmail.com or visit her website.

It’s lights, camera, action for this year’s Knaresborough nativity, which has been made into a film for the first time this year.

The nativity is usually performed live in the town’s Market Square on Christmas Eve. But covid forced plans to change this year.

The film will feature familiar faces from local dramatic society Christians Together.

The society has been filming since September, bringing the production to life by using local backdrops.

Viewers will see the wise men following the star over the Stray and buying gifts from Knaresborough shops. The final manger scene is set inside the bar Six Poor Folk.

Peter Lacey, the producer, said:

“It felt obvious in the summer that a Christmas gathering of over 400 people rubbing shoulders and shaking hands was unlikely to be sensible in the context of covid, and so we set out on our own journey.

“We’ve had to negotiate lockdowns and ensure all filming has been covid-secure, but we’re delighted with the outcome”.

Some of this year’s cast during filming.

Read more:

• Knaresborough encourages shoppers with a free map of all its Christmas trees.
• Masham is to hold outdoor services this Christmas. 

The society hopes to have the film available on its website by the end of the week. It will be uploaded here.

A community showing has also been arranged for December, 24 at 5.15pm – household can receive the zoom link by booking on the website.