A BRITISH Army veteran has returned from the Invictus Games where he was working as part of the official photography team.

West College Scotland HND Photography graduate Mac McLaren captured intense sports moments and met personalities including HRH Prince Harry, Michael J Fox and the world’s strongest man Brian Shaw when he covered the international Paralympic-style multi-sport event.

Created by HRH Prince Harry, the Invictus Games are an international adaptive sports event in which injured service personnel and veterans take part.

In addition to being one of the world’s largest sporting event, the Invictus Games aim to raise public awareness about post-combat adaptation of service women and men and participate in their recovery process – a cause close to Mac’s heart.

Mac served in the British Army as an infantry soldier for seven years during which he was unfortunately injured.

Thanks to his strong willpower and with the support of the Army, Mac took a big step forward in his new life and joined the college to study photography at the Paisley Campus.

He quickly took up sports photography and, after graduating, started working as a freelance professional photographer in this field.

Mac now travels all over the UK and Europe to capture iconic images of some of the world’s biggest sporting events such as the London 2012 Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA Champions League.

Mac said: "A few months ago, Prince Harry visited Stoll Mansions, the veteran housing complex where I live.

"We talked about the Invictus games and I shared with him my experience in and passion for sports photography.

"Prince Harry helped me get in contact with the right people for me to apply for accreditation as an official photographer at the Invictus Games.

"Being disabled, I can’t move about much so sports photography, where you have to be static in arenas, was a good option for me.

"I particularly like the raw emotion sportsmen show during their sport activity. It’s amazing to capture this.

"I also enjoy getting access to the world’s biggest events.

"I was thrilled to meet Michael J Fox, Prince Harry and the World’s Strongest man Brian Shaw.

"However, the best moment was seeing and photographing the UK team get a first, second and third place in the men’s powerlifting competition."

Robert Tabor, WCS Paisley Campus photography and media curriculum quality leader, added: "Mac is a really great example of what college can do for people.

"Despite the adversity he has faced in the past, the college has helped change the course of his life.

"It's amazing where his new skills and talent have taken him. We are so proud of Mac here at the college.

"From photographing Paisley Abbey to Morgan Freeman and Michelle Obama – incredible."