A PHOTOGRAPHER who has Down’s syndrome has been shortlisted in the final of an international photographic competition.

Jonathan Grosvenor, 28, of Gordon Road, Westcliff, has reached the final shortlist in UK Down’s Syndrome Association’s My Perspective photography competition, run in partnership with Rabobank.

Jonathan’s shot, titled Low Tide, captured the attention of the panel of judges, which included actor Peter Davison, photographer Richard Bailey and Alex Proud, founder of Camden’s Proud Galleries.

Steve, Jonathan’s father, was very proud his son had been able to reach the finals of the competition. He said: “Jonathan has been taking photos for around ten years and he is extremely excited to be invited to the awards show.

"It is a very nice evening and the organisers look after the photographers really well.

“The photos are all going to be blown up and put on the wall so it will be great to see the work of everyone.”

The competition gives budding photographers who have the genetic condition a chance to show off their talents to a group of industry professionals.

In previous years people with Down’s syndrome were photographed as subjects, but now the photographers are being given the chance to show off their talents.

In total, 95 photographers entered their pieces into the competition with 47 works being sent in from across the world including Iran, Canada, USA, Australia and Greece.

Jonathan, who went to Cedar Hall School in Hart Road, Benfleet, also reached the finals of the competition five years ago, however, after a thief took his camera while he was in Munich airport after a holiday, he was close to having to give up photography.

Steve said: “He was absolutely devastated when it happened. Thankfully we were able to get some money back for it but they took his SD card too, which meant so many photos and memories had been lost.”

All the photographs will be displayed at a major ceremony in London on June 21 where the winners will be announced.