Shoppers got more than they bargained in Wrexham. Among them were the Williams family who will be immortalised by ground-breaking photography project.
The Williams’ were at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre where the subjects were chosen.
The setting was appropriate because Eagles Meadow is the main sponsor of Wrexham’s Year of Culture.
The project, which is part of the Year of Culture, will culminate with an exhibition of the Faces of Wrexham.
First up to strike a pose for the camera were brother and sister James, six, and five-year-old Jessica Williams who enjoyed having their photographs taken and showed no sign of nerves as the smiled happily into the lens.
Their mum and dad, Kevin and Nicola Williams, think the exhibition is a great idea.
Kevin said: “I hope it captures the mood of the town and shows what a nice place Wrexham is. It’s a good idea and something different here at Eagles Meadow.
“I look forward to seeing the photographs of James and Jessica and hope they are included in the exhibition when it is put together.
“As a family we have always lived and worked in Wrexham and our children attend Victoria Primary School.
“It’s a great town and we enjoy coming to Eagles Meadow which is a fabulous place to shop.”
Also keen to step in front of the lens was Bethan Richards, a member of Wrexham County Borough Council’s culture team.
Bethan said: “Personally, I think the idea of an exhibition showcasing the people of Wrexham is a brilliant idea and I can’t wait to see the end result.
“The project is an important part of Wrexham’s Year of Culture and will be something we can all take pride in. It will also provide a record, a snapshot in time, of Wrexham residents that people can look back on and enjoy in the future.
“However, I have to admit I felt a bit nervous standing in front of the camera and hope Ioan has captured my better side!
“Eagles Meadow has been the perfect location to get this project underway and everyone who has come along to have their photograph taken has been right behind the idea.”
Snapper Ioan Said is Wrexham Year of Culture’s official photographer and says Eagles Meadow provided the perfect base while he captured the many faces of Wrexham through his lens.
Ioan runs the Penycae-based wedding, portrait and commercial Celynnen Photography. He is a member of the British Institute of Professional Photography.
He said: “I really want to capture the mood of Wrexham through its residents, both young and old. I’m hoping to photograph young people, babies, mums, dads, grandparents just a real mix of people here at Eagles Meadow.
“I also want to be able to capture different moods so it isn’t just about showing everyone smiling and happy. If someone is sad, worried or apprehensive then that’s fine too.
“The Faces of Wrexham project will hopefully lead to an exhibition of photographs and Eagles Meadow would be the ideal location for the display so as many people as possible get to see the finished work.”
He added: “I am also hoping for a good ethnic mix of subjects too. We used Facebook and Twitter to invite people to come along and have their photograph taken and we have had a brilliant response.
“I’m hoping for perhaps 50 to 60 subjects which means we can put a really good exhibition together that will tell the story of what Wrexham, and the people who live here, are all about.”
Kevin Critchley, the manager of Eagles Meadow, thinks it’s a fabulous project.
He said: “The people of Wrexham are the town’s greatest asset – they are the heart and soul of the place.
“As a relative newcomer to the area, I can testify to the warm welcome there is here and I’m really looking forward to seeing the exhibition.”
