When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, many things in my life changed. Photography became an outlet during that time and helped bring a sense of calm to my mind. Being outside, searching for beautiful light and photographing landscapes helped me enormously. What started as a hobby gradually became something much more meaningful.
Over time, I also discovered how much I enjoyed connecting with other photographers. Occasionally giving a workshop, presenting a talk or simply discussing photography with others gave me a great deal of energy. It was rewarding to share experiences and realise how many people are connected through a shared passion for nature and photography.
For many years, I believed I would continue building on that part of my life. My dreams and ambitions were big, perhaps sometimes bigger than was realistic. At the same time, my health gradually became more complicated. More diagnoses, less energy and more frequent reminders that my body had limits.
Slowly, the path I once imagined for myself began to change.
Travel Memories That Shaped Me
During those years, we regularly travelled through the United Kingdom. Scotland, Wales, the Lake District, Dorset, Cornwall and Northumberland are places I still think of with great warmth.
Sometimes I look through old photographs and think about how I would approach those locations today. Different light, different conditions or simply more experience. But there is often another feeling mixed in with those memories.
A longing to revisit some of those places. Not only because of the photography, but because of what those journeys meant to me. At the same time, I know that travelling in that way is no longer as straightforward as it once was. That contrast can be difficult at times. Perhaps that is a form of grief: not for something that has disappeared entirely, but for possibilities that are no longer as natural as they once seemed.
Learning to See Differently
Grief is not only about losing people. Sometimes it is about letting go of expectations, opportunities or dreams that once felt self-evident.
I would like to say that I always focus on what is still possible, but it is not that simple. Some days that comes naturally, while on other days it is much harder. Missing the ability to travel, make plans or simply have more energy can still be difficult.
Even so, photography often helps me look at my surroundings differently. Not because it solves everything, but because it reminds me that meaningful moments can still be found close to home. A quiet morning, a dramatic sky or simply stepping outside with a camera can still mean a great deal.
My love for landscape photography has never disappeared. Only the way I experience it has changed.
What We Can Pass On to Each Other
I believe we could all be a little kinder to one another. Giving others space, offering encouragement and respecting each person’s circumstances can make more difference than we often realise.
After all, we never fully know what someone else may be carrying with them.
I still enjoy sharing the photographs I have made during my travels and time in nature. Not only because of the images themselves, but because of the memories, peace and sense of wonder connected to those moments.
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View more photos via the link, which, like this one, are part of my portfolio.