A PHOTOGRAPHER from Bala has been keeping the community's spirits high during lockdown - by taking pictures of people on their doorsteps and donating some of the money to charity.

Heledd Wyn Roberts has donated almost £300 of the money made from the project to Tarian Cymru.

The charity specialises in supplying Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline workers throughout Wales during the coronavirus pandemic.

Normally at this time of year, Heledd - a wedding and portrait photographer - would be off taking pictures of weddings around the UK and the rest of the world too, including in Tuscany, Italy.

She said: " I've had to move more than 25 weddings, which is my main source of income, to 2021 due to the coronavirus. I found lockdown difficult to start with as my work ceased overnight.

"However, I wanted to do something locally and when the once a day exercise rule was shifted to unlimited exercise, I opened up doorstep photo sessions for local families, couples and businesses.

"I have walked and cycled to each and every one of my sessions, to date over 30 of them. Mostly here in Bala town itself, but I also ventured to neighbouring villages of Parc, Llanuwchllyn, Llanfor and Llangywer. To date, I have walked / cycled over 70 miles doing these portraits.

"Portrait photography can be a luxury purchase and so I wanted to make these portraits accessible to all families. Though the lockdown has been difficult with families being stuck at home and children home from school, I thought it important to create a record of this strange time for the local community.

"So many people say that they may not want to remember this strange period of our lives, but I like to have a more positive approach! I believe it's important to remember this time at home, with family.

"I'd like to thank each and every family for supporting not only my business but also Tarian Cymru. It's been a pleasure working locally in my community and getting to know a wealth of new families in the area and I hope to see them all again soon."