'I have a stammer, but photography gave me a voice'

An aspiring young photographer who has a stammer said taking images of wildlife had given him his "voice".

Shelby, 15, from Hertfordshire, only picked up his camera two years ago and started sharing his journey on social media at the start of the year.

He has already gained about 79,300 followers on TikTok and about 14,000 on Instagram.

He said spending time in nature had helped calm him down and he was doing something he was really proud of.

"Just spending more time with nature, it calms you down," said Shelby

Speaking about capturing a spectacular image of a kingfisher, he said: "It's well worth it when you get the result you want.

"Photography has really given me my voice. I've never really had something that I was this proud of. Being out in nature has really helped me with my stammer.

"I found it quite hard to socialise with friends because a lot of them wouldn't understand. Even some teachers would be impatient with me and I found that a challenge."

Shelby posts about his photography on Youtube, Instagram and TikTok

He has since left mainstream education and is being home-educated.

"Just spending more time with nature, it calms you down," he said.

"For anyone that has anxiety, I would definitely recommend it, to just take a walk, go for a run, and it will always help.

"The priority in everyone's situation is to put what they love first. You might think the stammer is in the way, but you've got to push it out the way and go for it, and do what you love and what makes you happy."

Shelby loves taking images early in the morning