WHEN schoolgirl Alexandra Smart travelled to a deprived part of Eastern Europe to photograph children in heartbreaking conditions, she came away thinking "It could have been me".
The 18-year-old was born in Romania and raised until the age of two in an orphanage before being adopted and brought to England.
Her visit to Bulgaria gave her an insight into the life she could have been living had her adopted parents not taken her in.
Speaking of the children she met in Bulgaria, she said: "There is a vast difference between our worlds but it could so easily have been me in a similar position."
Alexandra's trip to Bulgaria was with the Trussell Trust, who were distributing shoeboxes filled with Christmas presents to the Gypsy communities of Sofia. Her pictures will be used as publicity for the charity.
They've also been snapped up for a one-off exhibition in the Imageart gallery at Milton-on-Stour, near Gillingham, this weekend.
Gallery owner Steve Payter said: "This is pure photo-journalism. Alexandra is incredibly talented and these pictures really tug at the heartstrings."
The St Mary's School, Shaftesbury, pupil is currently studying for her A-levels and has lined up a year of photography work experience for charities next year.
She added: "I want to capture third world photographs. It's more exciting being able to create something and then try to put it to good use - that's what I liked about the Bulgaria trip.
"I hope my photos will raise awareness and get help for these people."
The exhibition is open from 10am till 4pm.
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