My Photographic Journey

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away — before Facebook, before iPhones — there lived a bored, spotty teenager desperately trying to figure out a career path as his school days were coming to an end.

He came up with nothing remotely useful.

So off he went to college, mainly to buy himself a bit more time. There he studied art alongside more “respectable” academic subjects, successfully convincing his parents that he wasn’t wasting his time — which, of course, he absolutely was.

It quickly became clear that I wasn’t particularly gifted at painting or drawing.

Then everything changed.

My Uncle Derry owned a camera. A proper camera. A Nikon FM. I borrowed it… and never gave it back.

Using what I’d learned in art classes, I started putting theory into practice — light, composition, texture, leading lines, and that elusive “decisive moment.” Suddenly it all made sense.

I began photographing local bands, with just enough success selling images to various publications to fund more film… and occasionally beer.

Before long, I gained a reputation as “the camera guy.” I photographed friends’ weddings, birthday parties, sporting events, portraits, and the odd local fashion shoot.

I loved it. I was completely hooked.

And as a bonus — I was meeting girls, which was no small achievement for a shy little introvert.

Since those halcyon, carefree days, photography has always been part of my life. I’ve attended countless workshops and seminars, constantly learning, constantly feeding the obsession.

Fast forward to today. When I’m not photographing weddings, you’ll often find me wandering towns and cities, riding the adrenaline rush of street photography — or slowing everything right down, immersed in nature, capturing wildlife and landscapes.

The obsession never really left. It just grew up with me.