Exhibition for photographer killed in crash

Elise Thomas, 17, died in a crash on the M1 near Wakefield in August 2023

The work of a teenage, award-winning wildlife photographer, who was killed in a car crash has gone on display at an East Yorkshire stately home.

Elise Thomas from Sledmere near Driffield died in a collision on the M1 in August.

The 17-year-old became RSPCA Young Photographer of the Year in 2021 after taking up the hobby during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Her work has now gone on display at Sledmere House as part of a new exhibition.

Elise's mum, Jo Clark, told the BBC: "It's completely overwhelming to see all the pictures up. It's humbling and emotional. We knew she was good but we didn't realise how good she was.

"You only have to look at these pictures to see her talent and it's just incredible."

Miss Thomas took up photography during the first Covid-19 lockdown and went on to with RSPCA Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2021

The 17-year-old, described by her parents as "unassuming", developed her skills during the pandemic.

"We didn't see her during lockdown. She'd be in the fields for hours on end taking photos and she just loved it", her mum said.

Her stepfather, Nick, added: "She'd go off at four or five in the morning and out in the dark at night with her camera. Come rain or shine she'd take a popup tent and be laid for hours waiting to get a picture.

"We recognise the places the photos were taken and, in many ways, it's like she's still here and that is a comfort."

More than 50 images taken by Miss Thomas will be on display at Sledmere House until the end of April

In the longer term, the family plan to establish a charity in Elise's name to help other teenagers to take up photography and provide funding to develop their skills.

Jo said: "It's incredible that our child had this amazing talent. It's so sad that she couldn't be here to see it [the exhibition] or go forward with her photography because who knows where it would have ended."

Miss Thomas's mum Jo and her stepfather Nick Clark hope to establish a charity to help other young photographers

The exhibition, called Boxing Hares and Other Sledmere Animals, is on display in the Courtyard Rooms until 26 April.

Any funds raised from the exhibition will be donated to support photography students at East Riding College in Beverley, where Miss Thomas studied.

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