My Journey Into Photography

In 2016, my family made the life-changing move from South Africa to the UK. It was the beginning of a new chapter for us, and also an opportunity for me to explore a passion that had always been part of my life — photography.

Photography was not something completely new to me. My aunt is a photographer, and through her I had always been surrounded by cameras, creativity and the ability to tell stories through images. After moving to the UK, I decided to take that passion further and formally study photography, wanting to develop my skills, knowledge and understanding of the craft.

Before photography, my career had been very different. I had spent years working as a paramedic, both on ambulances and within an Emergency Contact Centre. That experience taught me a huge amount about people, emotions and the importance of being there for others during some of the most significant moments of their lives. Although I changed careers, those experiences have continued to influence the way I approach photography.

After qualifying in photography, I joined a professional photography company, where I have had the opportunity to grow not only as a photographer but also as a leader and mentor. Today, I help run the Northern team of six photographers. One of the things I value most about my role is being able to support other photographers as they develop — helping them build their confidence, expand their knowledge and grow both professionally and personally.

Over the years, I have been lucky enough to photograph so many important moments in people's lives. Some of the images I have taken now hang on the walls of family homes, becoming reminders of moments that can never be recreated. Knowing that a photograph I captured can bring back a feeling, a memory or a moment in time years later is one of the greatest privileges of what I do.

For me, photography has always been about far more than taking a beautiful photograph. It is about people. It is about connection, emotion and preserving the moments that matter.

My previous career taught me how to care for people in difficult and emotional situations. Photography has given me a different way to do that — by creating images that allow people to hold onto the moments they never want to forget.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have turned a lifelong hobby into a career that I love, while also having the opportunity to help other photographers grow along the way.

Every wedding, every family and every person I photograph has a story. My job is to preserve a little piece of that story — something that can be looked back on, shared and cherished for generations to come.