How it all began

I have been a photographer since the age of eight. My Nan gave me a £10 note for my birthday. I have Cerebral Palsy and, although everyone at school had different disabilities, I could never draw as competently as them. So, one day when I was in a chemist's shop with my mother, I spied a simple camera outfit. It was £9.99! I shot my first film and was hooked, I could finally feel equal.

I love seeing how the landscape changes from the beauty of South Wales to the sandy coastline or rolling fields of Mid Wales to the stark, ruggedness of the mountains and quarries of the north and back again to the tranquil beauty of Ynys Môn (Anglesey)."

Moving to Wales

I moved to Wales in 2004 when I got married. It was on 13 August - a Friday - but thankfully, being Christians, neither of us are superstitious. And, as we found out, you can actually get discounts for getting married on Friday the 13th!

I set up Rainbow Images through the Prince’s Trust because my Cerebral Palsy excludes me from doing most (if not all) mainstream jobs. Now that I am based in South Wales, and have family in North Wales, I've been on many trips travelling up and down the country.

I love seeing how the landscape changes from the beauty of South Wales to the sandy coastline or rolling fields of Mid Wales to the stark, ruggedness of the mountains and quarries of the north and back again to the tranquil beauty of Ynys Môn (Anglesey).

I don't know why, but when I get a camera in my hands I become so steady, I rarely use a tripod. People are often amazed when looking at my pictures - they don’t realise from the photos that I have Cerebral Palsy.

Castle nestled in among trees

Castell Coch, Cardiff, South Wales

Top five spots for a great shot

Adrian has taken photos right across Wales, here are five of his favourites...

Gower

One of my absolute favourite shots is of Langland Bay, Gower, which just so complete for me and is a great place for thinking. Another added benefit is that I always find time for an ice cream on the way back at Joe's in the Mumbles.

Beach and sea with cliffs in the background

Langland Bay, Gower, West Wales

Ideas for a visit to Gower

There are lots of great accessible places to stay or visit on the Gower Peninsula. Why not have a night at the King Arthur Hotel? If you’re looking for a bite to eat, Cariad Cafe offers up delicious cakes and is a popular spot for breakfast. If a pub lunch is more your style, try the Ship Inn in Port Eynon which serves up a lovely fish and chips. If you want to find out more about the area, the Gower Heritage Centre offers up local history alongside crafts and workshops.

Caernarfon

My night time shot of Caernarfon is one of my favourites and it's a special place for me. My wife and I got engaged on Y Foryd, a bay on the Menai Strait and we always go there when we visit. One night, we were coming back towards Caernarfon and the lit castle was too good not to shoot. It is one of the shots I consider my best and indeed is my favourite. Taking the photo at night was a challenge but it seems to change the entire mood.

I also enjoy eating out when I visit. I'll always remember a meal with friends at Stones Bistro. It was the first time my American friend (and my best man) had visited Wales and he wanted to try the Welsh lamb, so we all ordered the same. When the food came it was four entire legs! None of us went hungry, that's for sure - just one would have been more than enough for everyone, but it was so tasty we ended up with doggy bags all round.

castle with river in foreground.
Caernarfon Castle at night.

A shot of Caernarfon Castle in the day, and lit up at night, North Wales

Ideas for a visit to Caernarfon

Caernarfon Castle actually rates very highly as an accessible attraction, despite dating back to the 11th century. Wheelchair users can access via the purpose built ramp and have access across the whole lower level of the castle, plus there's a new lift, enabling step-free access to the viewing platform. After checking out the castle you can admire the view along the promenade at Doc Fictoria. If enjoying a tipple is a key part of your vacation, the Pant Du Vineyard and Cafe is a good choice of stop-off - the cafe and vineyard are accessible and there's a low level bar for wheelchair users.

Town walls and a wide flat path by the water.

Caernarfon town walls, North Wales

Ynys Môn (Anglesey)

My wife and I did a tour of Anglesey and visited Llynnon Mill and I just fell in love with the images, contrasts and colours. I really like these shots in this location for the space they afford. Llynnon Mill just seems so majestic to me, I love the contrast from the white empty sail-paddles against the stark blueness of that ever present blue sky.

Windmill against the blue sky.

Llynnon Mill, Anglesey, North Wales

Ideas for a visit to Anglesey

Explore an underwater world at Anglesey Sea Zoo - accessible parking spaces can be booked in advance and the entire site is accessible for wheelchairs, pushchairs and prams. If you feel like being a giant for a couple of hours, a visit to Anglesey Model Village never fails! With level access from the car park to all areas of the site, it's definitely worth a look. Alternatively, if you're not afraid of heights, RSPB South Stack has an accessible pathway option and there is wheelchair access to Elin's Tower where you can enjoy the views of the cliffs and lighthouse.

An octopus at Anglesey Sea Zoo, North Wales

Aberystwyth

Every August there is a conference for the Evangelical movement of Wales which is held in Aberystwyth. It's lots of fun and maintains the tradition of Welsh preaching. We enjoyed meeting with our friends en mass and so my photographs of the seafront are filled with wonderful memories for me.

Sun setting in Aberystwyth.

Sun set in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Mid Wales

Ideas for a visit to Aberystwyth

Take in a theatre production, or just enjoy a coffee and a slice of cake at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre. They have excellent access options and also subscribe to the Hynt scheme which offers a range of benefits. Discover more than 6.5 million books and periodicals, or browse the exhibition space at the National Library of Wales, with lifts, ramps and other accessible features, everyone can enjoy this national treasure. If you're looking for a special place to stay, the Elan Room at Plas Nanteos Mansion has been designed with ease of access in mind with a fully equipped with a wet room and its own private parking space.

Schild der Nationalbibliothek von Wales, Aberyswyth.
Blick auf die Nationalbibliothek von Aberystwyth.

National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Mid Wales

Barry

My shots of Porthkerry were completely by chance - it was just luck that I was passing and had my camera with me. The atmosphere was great and I just had to capture that in my photos!

Snowy field with viaduct in the background

Porthkerry Park, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales

Ideas for a visit to Barry

No visit to Barry is complete without a trip to the seaside, and the wide-stretching sands of Whitmore Bay Beach won't disappoint! Enjoy the fresh sea air as you meander along the promenade or head down to the beach, all-terrain beach wheelchairs are available to hire at no cost which are uniquely to go across the sand without sinking. For a day trip nearby, the Amelia Trust Farm offers accessible routes around its 160 acres of countryside - check out the farmyard animals, reflect and in the peace of the Prayer Labyrinth.

girl in sea using all-terrain beach wheelchair with mother behind.
Whitmore Bay, Barry.

Whitmore Bay, Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales

Find out more

To view all of Adrian’s fantastic photos of Wales, head over to his website Rainbow Images. If any of the photos really take your fancy, you can have them put onto various gift items such as mugs, mouse mats and notebooks, and you can grab a greeting card (in Welsh or English) at the same time – or, if you want to enjoy a different part of Wales each month, you can snap up a calendar.

You can also find Adrian on the Rainbow Images Facebook page and RainbowimagesDesigns on Etsy.

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