I don't enter many competitions but when the announcement of Sight For All "RED" - One Day For Sight 2016 made it into my inbox, I couldn't resist the challenge. The Red Photographic Challenge is designed to bring focus onto a gift that photographers often take for granted, their eye sight. 

Those who know me are well aware that my favourite colour is red so my creative ideas had started straight away. The photo could only be taken on Thursday, 13th October and had to say "red" in some way. My immediate thought was red lips and red high heels but thinking a little more, I developed the idea to incorporate my gorgeous 9 month old son and his Great Grandpa's wicker laundry basket that I had obtained for a photo prop if the need arose. Well, the basket came into its own as I turned it into a hot air balloon base with the addition of a number of helium filled red balloons.

Austin, the aeronaut, had to look the part so I made a red satin bow tie to go with his grey outfit. We waited until later in the afternoon as it was a bright sunny day and Grandma and Grandpa helped us trek over to Lochiel Park with all the props. Austin cooperated and I got the shots I needed. I had also added a couple of small old suitcases to the props just in case I wanted to mix it up a little. Changing location, I utilised the sun peeking through a large tree as the background and set up the suitcases and the balloons. Austin posed for only a couple of shots before the plants and wooden planks were too interesting for him to sit still.

Below you'll see the photo titled 'Test Flight' that I entered in the competition (Austin standing up in the hot air balloon). I've also included the second favourite of the hot air balloon pose and my favourite from the old suitcase set up.  

The finalists from the competition will be featured in an exhibition and more importantly, it will raise funds for Sight For All, a blindness prevention organisation with a focus on sustainable and high impact education in developing Asia, delivering eye health care projects free of charge to their partner countries. Even if I'm not chosen as a finalist, I have photos of Austin with my favourite colour that I can treasure forever.

Test FlightAustin (8 months 28 days), the aeronaut, in hot air balloon prop. Sight For All 2016 Photo competition. Test Flight 2Austin (8 months 28 days), the aeronaut, in hot air balloon prop. Sight For All 2016 Photo competition. Junior world traveller with suitcases and red balloons in beautiful park