What are five facts about you?
- I’m Welsh but the accent’s faded a lot since I started attending boarding school when I was 11, and I can’t speak a word of the language.
- I don’t have a birth certificate
- My legal guardians are my grandparents
- I’ve been a photographer since I was eight – my granddad, who is also a photographer, taught me how and gave me my first camera.
- I’m a terrified of snakes.
Where did you grow up?
For the first seven years of my life, I lived all over the place as my mum and I were constantly moving. She got fidgety and we didn’t have much money. But after I was placed in the care of my grandparents by my mum, I grew up just outside Porthcawl, Wales which isn’t far from Bridgend. Their house backs onto the sand dunes and I spent most of my childhood playing on the beach and body-boarding in the surf.
Who are the special people in your life?
My boyfriend, Dominic. My grandparents, Angie and Mal. And my friends – especially Erika who I would say is my best.
Would you rather…lose your favourite camera or lose the ability of photography altogether?
My favourite camera is a Pentax film camera my granddad gave me for Christmas when I was eight – it’s precious to me. However…it is just a camera. To lose the ability to take photos altogether would kill me.
Desert Island: Three Items
- My camera, obvs.
2. Endless film for the camera
3. Sunglasses – cos it’s a desert island and I need to be able to see to take all the pretty photos!
What’s something you wish you were better at?
Reading people…sometimes I don’t think I fully understand what even Dominic is thinking and whenever I do make assumptions, I’m always wrong.
What’s something you’re proud of?
All my photography awards and my portfolio. It’s my life’s work – and I have so much more to give.
What’s something you’re ashamed of?
Hiding who I truly am for so long so I didn’t piss off other people. I am who I am. And if they don’t like it, fuck em. I guess I just wish I’d realised that sooner. Oh – and failing my exam. Yeah…that’s really fucked things.
What are you looking forward to right now?
That’s the thing…I don’t think I have anything to look forward to. Failing my photography theory exam…it could mean the end of my time at HSA. What’s there to look forward to when I might have to leave everything I love behind?
Pick 3 Dinner Guests, dead or alive
Diane Arbus, Andy Warhol and Colette
What brought you to Hillside Academy?
A scholarship so I could study photography and earn a good education. Plus…sometimes, and only sometimes mind, I think it’s because my grandparents couldn’t handle being parents again late in life. That maybe…maybe it was easier not to look at me because I’m a constant reminder of their estranged daughter, my mum. Maybe…I dunno.
Favourite Word?
Photograph – sets my heart alight. The Greek word for light drawing. Snap it and in an instant, it’s there forever. It’s magic.
Learn more about Tom Right by heading over to his very own wiki. Just click the image below and follow the link!
(All Hillside Academy characters, names, places, school history and origins are subject to copyright – Hillside Academy ‘Universe’ Copyright © 2008 Jodie May Mullen)
Header Image: Jodi May
Gallery Images: Ownership remains with the original artist.