A guide dog saved the day at Wales’s oldest camera club when the session model got stuck in traffic — stepping in as an impromptu subject and producing results her proud owner described as spectacular.
Llanelli Photographic Society had booked a male chef in a big hat and check trousers for one of their regular studio nights, but when he failed to arrive, member Andrew Windsor had a suggestion: his black labrador guide dog, Lilly.
Andrew, who joined the society in 2022 and is its only member with sight loss, said the stand-in proved an immediate hit with fellow photographers. “The model we had booked was stuck in traffic, so we needed a stand-in. I suggested Lilly, and soon there were five photographers taking shots of her. I was so proud of her and just used a little bit of food to keep her focused,” he said.
The results drew admiration from fellow members, with Lilly’s striking features proving a natural fit in front of the lens.
Andrew first developed a passion for photography at the age of 12, when his grandmother gave him a 35mm pocket camera and instruction manual as a Christmas present. Decades later, despite significant sight loss, he continues to pursue the hobby — aided by modern technology and a perspective that sets his work apart.
Andrew said technology had opened up the hobby in ways that would not have been possible before. “I use Artificial Intelligence on my phone to help me navigate the camera settings. I try to use a tripod where possible to keep the camera steady and a remote shutter release to help me take the photo without shaking the camera,” he said.
That unconventional approach has earned him a reputation for capturing images others might not think to take. Andrew said: “I always get people saying, ‘Wow, I wouldn’t have thought about capturing that at the angle you did.’ Photography connects people and shows us anything is possible.”
(Image: David Rees)
The society meets regularly to discuss photography and hold practical sessions. Once a month, members gather for a studio night focused on camera settings and equipment — the kind of session that led to Lilly’s unlikely moment in the spotlight.
