A KIDDERMINSTER-based photographer and former press photographer for The Shuttle, is launching a six-week wellbeing photography course.

Miriam Cunliffe has always been interested in how art can be used as a tool to help with mental health, having taught both wellbeing and photography classes to primary school children, as part of a company delivering workshops.

Deciding to step out on her own and teach adults is a new move but one she hopes will benefit others, like herself who use photography as a creative outlet to help focus on her own mental health.

It will be held at The Jelleyman's Mill, (JHAC – Jelleyman's Heritage Arts Charity), on Puxton Lane in Kidderminster.

It's starts on Wednesday, September 18 from 10am to 11am, at a cost of £10 per class.

Each week there will be a different theme to photograph, at the end of the course, there will be a small exhibition featuring the class participant's work. After which the prints can be taken away to keep.

In keeping with the wellbeing theme, as well as coming together to photograph, it is hoped that the class can chat over a cup of tea and biscuits.

Miriam hopes to encourage people to use photography as a creative outlet to help with their mental health. She believes that the whole aspect of photography, from choosing a subject matter to discovering new angles to shoot,  using light in a certain way, requires focus.

This process of observing and looking at things, is by it's nature a meditative task, that draws you into a peaceful state.

She said: “ You can use this practice to reframe the world around you, photography can reflect your own values, thoughts and ideas and manifest the kind of world you want to see.

"You can choose what you focus on and what you leave out of the frame”.

Those interested in attending the course should email Miriam at miriamc108@gmail.com, you can also turn up on the morning too.