I am a photographer with a deep curiosity for the world around me and a love for capturing fleeting, meaningful moments. My creative tools range from a smartphone to a digital camera, giving me the freedom to experiment and see familiar scenes from new perspectives.
After nearly two decades of working in roles shaped largely by other people’s goals and agendas, I found myself caught in a relentless cycle of work. Some of that effort was recognised, some of it wasn’t, but I was constantly striving to excel. Over time, I realised I had lost touch with who I wanted to be beyond my professional identity. The label “workaholic” began to feel uncomfortably accurate.
That realisation was a turning point. I suddenly saw that I didn’t have a hobby, passion, or creative outlet that truly energised me outside of work. My days followed a familiar pattern—wake up, work, eat, sleep, and repeat—while chasing a definition of success largely set by my workplace. I briefly tried woodworking, but the windy conditions of Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), Aotearoa New Zealand meant those moments were rare.
Something needed to change. I knew I had to slow down, create space, and reconnect with myself through creativity. Photography gradually emerged as that pathway. I was inspired by memories of my father, who volunteered as a photographer and had an eye for meaningful moments. Even so, I hesitated at first, held back by self-doubt. I often wondered, “What will people think? Am I actually any good at this?”
To move past those doubts, I started small. I would sit on a park bench, breathe, and simply observe—reconnecting with myself and the sense of stillness around me. Over time, these moments turned into early morning walks, then longer weekend wanderings, all while experimenting with photography on my smartphone.
A key turning point came when I challenged myself to take a photograph in a public café—an image I later titled “Savouring Thy Nectar.” It was my first truly public act of photography, and it helped me break through the self-conscious barriers that had been holding me back. That moment deepened my connection to photography as a way of seeing, feeling, and sharing the world.
Since then, I’ve explored a wide range of genres, from macro and landscapes to astrophotography—an interest sparked by a close friend who introduced me to the magic of the night sky. While I’ve enjoyed experimenting broadly, portrait photography remains a challenge and an ongoing learning curve. At first, I thought my focus would stay primarily on macro and landscapes, but this journey has taught me to stay open to wherever my curiosity leads.
Looking back at 2024, I can honestly say it’s been a journey worth taking, full of unexpected turns, setbacks, and discoveries that have shaped who I am today. My creative process blends thoughtful planning with intuitive improvisation. When I trust that inner sense of direction, I’ve found I can create images that truly resonate.
I am deeply grateful to the people who have supported and encouraged me along the way—you know who you are.
Like my photography, this “About” will continue to evolve as I grow, learn, and uncover more of what this creative journey has to offer
Savouring Thy Nectar!