Light Through the Shadows: A Life in Focus with Jennifer Charlton

Join Jennifer Charlton for a lunchtime talk when she will share her journey to becoming a photographer and the inspiration behind her ongoing, award-winning project "A Hidden Community".

About A Hidden Community

Jennifer has worked with several individuals over an extended period of time, capturing their stories in words and in pictures. Together they form a captivating collection of portraits, each taken in the sitters 'happy place'.

Jennifer says of her project, " We are living amongst a secret society, mental Health does not discriminate, and we are surrounded by neighbours and loved ones isolated from one another, deprived of all the benefits being part of a community bestows upon us.

A lonely and insular existence of shame and inequality can be gently transformed to one of compassion and self-acceptance when we find the courage and generosity of gifting others with our stories and revealing our vulnerabilities. There will eventually be an end to the stigmatisation of Mental Health Issues when brave suffers step forward enabling transparency and the growth of a beautiful Community where judgement does not exist, only support and compassion."

"A Hidden Community " is on exhibition at The Barracks from 4th August until 26th September, 2025.

Light refreshments will be provided by The Barracks.

About Jennifer

Jennifer graduated from Robert Gordon University with a BA in Professional Photography in 2023 and went on to be awarded a first-class honours degree through Kingston University in 2024. In September she made history becoming the first female and first digital photographer to win the Scottish Portrait Award (Colour) with a portrait from her mental health project ‘A Hidden Community’. This ongoing personal project was also placed in the finals of the prestigious AOP student awards and runner up at the Photo North Student Photography competition. Edinburgh College awarded her an “Outstanding Achievement in Photography” award at her graduation. Since graduating she was invited by the Fraser Centre Tranent to teach photography for people suffering with mental health issues, open events and speak about her work. She is the starting as AIR at Edinburgh College and has recently been awarded the Royal Photographic Society’s distinction of Associate Member (ARPS).

https://www.jennifercharltonphotography.com

Instagram.com/jennifercharltonphotography

LinkedIn · Jennifer Charlton

Jennifer's exhibition is exhibited in Stirling's historic Barracks Conference Centre .

The venue is within easy access of Stirling's train and bus stations, and there is ample parking in the nearby municipal carpark.

Accessible Parking : If you have particular access requirements please call ahead regarding accessible parking.

01786 641 800

Thank you to The Barracks Conference Centre for their support once again this year and to The Robertson Trust for their generous sponsorship.

Stirling Photography Festival is an annual celebration of photography offering a wide range of events and exhibitions throughout August and September. Founded on the principles of inspiring creativity, developing skills and building community, the festival is run by a team of passionate volunteers. Together we build a festival programme which showcases leading and emerging talent, in partnership with artists and creative institutions from across Scotland who share our values. We thank all of our artists and partners for their ongoing support and sponsorship.