AN UNEMPLOYED man with debilitating arthritis who took up photography to help him "get out of the house" is now turning his skill into a business.
Rich Cottee, of Parrock Street, is a huge fan of Gravesend and wants to promote it as a "great place to live".
The 49-year-old has struggled with full-time work because of the severe pain and fatigue he suffers because of his rheumatoid arthritis but has developed a passion for photography.
Mr Cottee, a Citizen’s Advice Bureau volunteer, has lived in the town for six years and is branching into self employment through selling greeting card versions of his images.
He said: "Despite the cost in fatigue and pain every time I go out to take images, it is worth it, firstly to get me out of the house and secondly as a way of moving forward in life suffering from a chronic condition which employers rarely understand.
"I love capturing scenes that people would normally take for granted and I love it when people say, 'You make Gravesend look great', which happens a lot.
"I set a personal website up three years ago to show images of Gravesend and the surrounding areas since I believe it to be a great place to live with many facilities that are underused, and heard too many people saying it was a dump and there was nothing to do.
"It is my first time living next to a large river and the riverside fascinated me.
"Hopefully this will make people appreciate both it and Kent in general, and actually take note of their surroundings and what is on offer."
For more information, visit richcimages.co.uk
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