It's the job of a lifetime

Over the next 12 months he will be taking portraits of a variety of Herefordshire people for a huge project celebrating the richness and diversity of life in the county at the turn of the millennium.

The 50 portraits are due to go on display at the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery next year for seven weeks, from May 26 until July 8, before making a tour of the county.

And Mr Evans hopes the exhibition will help promote the county, and his work, to a much wider audience.

"I think it would make a good book, and if we could get tour nationally that would be great," he said.

The project, called A Picture of Ourselves, is the result of a proposal by Mr Evans, and is based on a similar one carried out in London.

It has been enthusiastically adopted by Herefordshire Council, which is now appealing for potential subjects to get in touch.

"We are looking for as wider range of people as possible to represent the numerous variety of lifestyles, occupations and interests within Herefordshire," said Claudia Hart, the Council's community heritage access officer.

"All we need now are more people to get in touch if they feel they would like to be photographed or if they would like to nominate someone who they feel fits the bill," she added.

The Council became aware of Mr Evans' work after he featured in last year's Hereford Photographic Festival, as a result of which he was asked to take portraits of the governors at the Herefordshire College of Art and Design, where he is a mature student.

The former Queen Elizabeth High School pupil said it was "brilliant" to have been chosen to carry out such an important piece of work.

A geography graduate from Manchester University, Mr Evans has since decided to make a career of his photographic hobby.

"I've found my thing," he said.

Claudia Hart can be contacted on 01432 260692 or via e-mail at chart@herefordshire.gov.uk.