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Click Connect show this Saturday

May 6, 2015   ·   0 Comments

Being different has always been something that makes everyday life a struggle, particularly when that difference is visible and affects everything from a person’s capability to speak, act, or move in what society sees as ‘normal’.

Rather than looking at the abilities of a person who is different, for generations, many people have looked at the disability and the differences.

Part of the mission of Community Living Ontario, a non-profit that has Community Living associations across the province, is to change the way people with intellectual disabilities are seen, and help them to become fully included in all aspects of the community. Locally, Community Living Dufferin (CLD) has become known for the impact they have had on the lives of many with those disabilities in our community, as well as their ability to involve them in the community.

One way they are breaking down barriers and connecting their members with the community is through one of their Options programs, called Click Connect Photography. The group was originally inspired by a member who loved to take photos, and it grew in popularity over the years. Now, Click Connect boasts over 20 photographers, each with their own unique perspective, and the capability to capture stunning photos.

In an interview last year with the Citizen, some members shared that part of what they love about the photography club is that it provides an opportunity to show members of the community that while they may be different, they have talents and abilities, just like everyone else. That desire to show their abilities is what led to the development of the Click Connect Photography Show, an annual event where photographers from the club have the opportunity to share and sell their work in a professional setting. The evening is filled with food, entertainment, and everything else one would expect at a photography show, and has grown to be quite the success.

This Saturday, their 2015 show, Auto Exposed: A Snap From the Past to a Shot of the Future, will be held at MacMaster Buick GMC, and will, as the title suggests, feature a theme based on the past, the future, and automobiles.

Allan, one of the members of the group, stepped up to help organize the event, explaining that the group has become highly important to him, and helping plan the show helps him to present that.

“I really like to be involved in the organizational aspect of the photography club, and consider myself a huge advocate of the Click Connect group,” he said. “It’s a role I take very seriously.”

While a first meeting with Allan may make it seem as if he is shy and quiet, spending some time with him can come to prove quite the opposite. Allan is full of passion, with a sharp mind and a wit unrivalled by many. It’s that part of his personality that gives him a unique perspective on the photos he takes – often spotting things that others might not.

“I’m not a traditional photo-taker,” he said. “I appreciate the very unique things in life, and like looking for that different and artistic viewpoint.”

Sometimes, that artistic viewpoint means highlighting a photo of a tree, where the tree looks like a lady when taken from the right angle. Other times, it means finding the perfect angle of a vintage item, or coming up with a funny, yet serious name for his pictures.

In an afternoon spent with Allan and another member of Click Connect, Adam, he shared with the Citizen that part of why he loves photography so much is that it seems to be a strong way in which people come to understand that they really are just like everyone else.

“When people get it, when you can see in their eyes that they get it, we feel like we have accomplished something and achieved our goals,” said Allan.

“We want people to support us, because they more they do, the more we can spread awareness.”

The Click Connect Photography Show is about more than just sharing their work with the community: it also provides an avenue for it’s members to earn some money on the sale of their photos.

“You see professional photographers doing it all the time,” Adam explained. “We are real photographers, so it makes sense that we want to earn money on our work. We want to see people buy our photographs, and we want to see this be a big photography show. People go to an arts or crafts show, or even other photography shows and buy things because that’s what they’re for. We want them to see this the same way.”

Adam is also extremely passionate – not just about photography, but about making others feel welcome and comfortable, no matter who they are or what kind of walk of life they come from.

While he is one of the newer members of the group, photography has been a part of his life since a young age.

“I started taking pictures at the age of two,” he explained. “My mom said I just started picking up the camera and taking pictures of family and friends. As I got older, I started taking my camera out on my own and finding more things to take pictures of.”

For Adam, the money he makes from this year’s show will be for a special purpose, which is part of why he is hoping that more people will attend.

“I really want to take my fiancee to Las Vegas,” he shared. “We both have really wanted to go, and it would be a really neat experience to take photos there and see it in person.”

According to the group, Adam has been labelled the ‘Master of the Selfie’, as he takes selfies everywhere they go. He also loves to capture the group at every location they travel to, so that he can have a record of the trip and all that were involved.

“We really just want to show people that we are just like them, and photography is one way we can do that,” said Adam. “We have talents just like everyone else, and we have skills just like everyone else. We just really want them to see that.”

The Auto Exposed show will be held this Saturday evening (May 9) from 7 to 9 p.m. in the showroom at MacMaster. Tickets are $10 per person, and can be purchased at the Scotiabank on First Street. The evening will include art, live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and more.

For more information, contact Joyce at joyce@communitylivingdufferin.ca or by phone at 519.941.8971 x 126. All proceeds support the Click Connect photographers.

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