When University of Wollongong librarian Franki Pinkerton was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of years ago, she thought about the things that were important to her in life.
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First and foremost was family.
But something that also came to mind as she planned to make some changes to her life was her passion for photography.
Mrs Pinkerton grew to love playing with a camera when her children were young and daughter Jessica Pinkerton recalls the time her mother would take to get each shot just right.
After coming through her battle with breast cancer, the Gwynneville mum decided to pick up the camera again and joined the Wollongong Camera Club last October. ‘‘I have always loved photography,’’ she said.
‘‘I have always looked at my photos and compared it with the professional ones and said why can’t I do that? So when I retired [I decided] that is it, I am taking myself off to camera club.’’
Now, inspired by her daughter’s volunteering efforts to support the Highlights on Mental Health campaign, she has decided to enter the Shoot the Model competition for professional, amateur and student photographers.
It involves $3000 in cash prizes.
Mrs Pinkerton knows she will be coming up against professional photographers, but sees it as a great challenge and learning exercise while supporting a good cause.
She is not letting on exactly what she is planning to do just yet.
But she will be photographing daughter Jessica, who won the interview section of the Miss Sydney Australia final several years ago, took out the charity section and was then a top 10 national finalist and won the charity fundraising section of Miss World Australia.
Mrs Pinkerton said she did not photograph her daughter in those competitions but planned to now she was an entrant in the inaugural Illawarra’s Top Model.
Ms Pinkerton was not going to enter the modelling competition for a chance to win a trip to Europe and work with Paul James Hay, of Core Artist Management, in Germany.
She has been using her experience on the runway to tutor Illawarra’s Top Model entrants.
But in the process she could not resist giving it another go herself.
She is quite happy to do that and give younger up and coming models tips that will help them possibly beat her.
Ms Pinkerton is very keen to promote the competition as an opportunity to make friends and encourage each other.
And now she also gets to encourage her mum.
She said it was great they were both supporting mental health services in the region in their own way.
‘‘I think it is a great thing she is entering the Shoot the Model competition,’’ she said.
Robyn te Velde said the deadline for entries was September 1. Fellow committee member Janine Cullen said the photographers were encouraged to make fun and creative work.
‘‘And the terms and conditions mean it does not strictly have to be a model in the shot,’’ Mrs Cullen said.
She encouraged everyone to enter because it was all about supporting the Light and Hope Mental Health Clubhouse.