For the longest time there has always been someone else to consider when it comes to my photography. First there were studies with tutors and peers, then a business and a need to build an online audience, then a brand collaboration with a need to be seen to be shooting with certain gear. Through it all there’s been the monster that is social media and the need to keep feeding it with content that must be on brand and of a certain standard, but is ultimately disposable, forgotten almost as soon as its seen and only seen if an algorithm deems it worthy. The studies are long since ended, I chose not to rebuild my business after covid and the brand collaboration reached a natural end earlier this year. And so, for the first time in a very long time, nothing matters. I have no one to please, photographically speaking, other than myself. And that’s a thought that makes me feel both liberated and untethered. I’m not sure I even know what pleases me anymore, I’ve lost sight of who I am as a photographer.
My cameras have gathered dust for much of 2025. My creative energies have been directed towards learning to draw and paint, something I’ve wanted to do for the longest time but never quite seemed to manage. Progress is slow but enjoyable. On the few occasions I have taken a camera out this year it’s brought me great joy, perhaps looking back on these images will help me see a way forward….
Early in the year I was inspired to put myself in front of the camera as an idea for a mini project took hold and wouldn’t let go. The result was Hope is a Whisper, a very personal set of images. It’s rare for me to step in front of the lens, and it’s the first time I’ve intentionally created with a deeper meaning in mind. Everything came together just as I’d hoped, I love the images but I’m not planning a larger body of self portraits.
begin {again} 