One Camera, a Million Stories...

Even when I'm just about to press the shutter button on my camera, I'm thinking to myself 'is everything in the picture going to tell the story I want? Does each element have a purpose or are they only adding clutter?' There are times where they all contribute to the story, and other times where I wish I could magically make then vanish, knowing they'll add nothing to the photo. However, there are time where I have no choice. If I want to capture the main focus of the story, whatever’s photo bombing the scene will have to be included. But what if I could use that to help emphasise what I originally came to shoot? That is where the technique of natural framing is used, where the main subject of a photo is enclosed by other elements such as trees, rocks, branches, doorways and even railings.

Natural framing not only adds an extra depth and a 3D feel to the final shot, but it also helps reinforce the story I want to tell by drawing the eye towards that one specific component. Let’s put that idea to the test…

Ahh, the humble hedgehog. They are rarely seen due to being strictly nocturnal creatures. On the rare occasion they are seen in daylight, it’s always a delight to see them snooping around for their next meal or having a quick snooze. One day, tucked away in a small bed of leaves, one would think it was twigs or soil at first glance. It was actually a hedgehog curled up taking a nap after a long hard day of non stop snoozing and looking adorable, as they all do. Before even capturing this cutie, I knew the leaves had to stay in view. It wouldn’t be fair to wake up and scare the hedgehog, but that meant my focus was on him and making sure the leaves surrounding him emphasised his natural beauty. The stark contrast of vibrant leaves and earthy browns on every hedgehog spine meant that natural framing doesn’t always have to be elaborate structures or archways. It’s often the smaller details that narrate the story to its fullest.

Speaking of elaborate buildings, there’s certainly no shortage of them dotted around England’s capital of London. Houses, office blocks, shops and 5 star hotels are just some of those that have every tourist stopping and staring in awe. Believe it or not, the same number of parks and natural habitats are also scattered across the Big Smoke, so it’s easier than you think to get both in the same shot. Even just the top half of the building peeking through is enough to draw the eye towards the clock with every surrounding tree framing it, almost reminding every passing visitor that it’s time for afternoon coffee or to make a start in beating the rush hour traffic.

If you've ever been to the big smoke that is London, chances are that you would have come across the historic and exquisite Hyde Park. Even if you've yet to set foot in England's bustling capital, the name will be instantly recognisable to most. As one of eight royal parks in the city, Hyde Park spans over 350 acres, offers panoramic views of its trademark Serpentine Lake and over three miles of walking routes around its perimeter. With that also comes an incredible array of wildlife that call Hyde Park their home, from swans and squirrels to herons and Canada geese. Setting foot into the park, you’ll see the many swans and ducks napping at the water’s edge and maybe the occasional squirrel will come to see if you’ll share your lunch with it. You walk a tad further along, hoping a swan won’t attack you and think that’s as busy and energetic the wildlife usually gets. But hang in there - we’ve got the other two miles to go yet!

Along the twist and turns of uneven pathways, trees and stone bridges, some new residents come to welcome you into their home, as visitors of course. Herons stand tall and graceful like statues, reflecting in the Serpentine’s mirror-like surface. Although, they only allowed side profile shots that day. Either that or something more interesting caught their attention. As for the Egyptian geese, they were already exhausted by the attention of their adoring fans. Settling down for a nap, they still had the final word by showing off their striking coat of greys, beiges and burnt reds. Every feather descends into a different shade of ombré brown, with texture jumping out of the camera screen like brush strokes on a painting.

Ahh, social media. On one side are the amazing ways it helps us keep in contact with friends and loved ones, promote businesses, stay up to date with current events and celebrate life’s major achievements. On the other side of that same coin, it’s tough not to compare what we may or may not have to someone else, constantly check on how many reactions our latest post had got and wish we were on the same exotic holiday as our friends. Even if you’re not scrolling in the moment, you pick up on little things from earlier in the day, sending you into a spiral of that pesky FOMO. In other words ‘fear of missing out’.

If there’s one thing we should be truly scared of missing out on, it’s what’s going on in the present moment. The second we get hooked into a cycle of scrolling and feeling unsatisfied when we log off, everything in the present takes a backseat, often missing the tiny details that rely on our undivided attention. Although, why not flip those two around and make nature the centre of attention? It doesn't have to be for long but long enough to make us put our phone in the backseat for once.

I come from a family that chooses watching wildlife over television any day of the week. Seeing squirrels digging up the lawn, the occasional hedgehog hiding under a bush or coming downstairs to the pigeons on our fence waiting for breakfast is always entertaining. Even with living in a city, I’m lucky enough to be a stone’s throw away from a local garden where admiring the resident swans, ducklings and moorhens are a great source of relaxation. It’s impossible not to smile as all walks of nature enjoy the early summer weather as much as we humans do, even joining them to take a cooling dip ourselves! One or two swans didn’t look too impressed with this idea, but that didn’t stop them basking in their very own spotlight with the number of passersby capturing their beauty. Undoubtedly for their Instagram stories.

Surely, it’s not snowing in May? It’s not surprising that, thanks to the great British weather, it’s not completely unheard of. Much to our relief, there’s no sign of snow anytime soon! However, what looks like barely settled snow is actually tree cotton. Much like its chilly counterpart, tiny translucent clumps of tree cotton slowly drift in the wind and coat every leaf, blade of grass and rock around. If you’ve never come across tree cotton before, like I haven’t until recently, it’s bound to stop you scrolling for a second. However, seeing it in such a vast capacity is enough to put any phone down for a few minutes, whether it’s gazing up at each clump dancing around as they land on the ground or the sheet of soft white already made up. Imagine getting into bed after drying the sheets in the fresh open air. It produces the same feel-good lift in mood that social media can never replicate.

With every one of our five senses evoked, anyone would imagine that sitting by the sea is the last place to pick up your phone and check what your mates are getting up to on holiday. If they’re chilling in the Bahamas then guess what, you’ve got nothing to be jealous of! While you both may be surrounded by water and sunshine, there’s one difference. While they have sandy beaches, you’ve got the unique colours, patterns and shapes of each individual pebble. During low tide, many of the pebbles from high up the sandbank are still damp, and with that comes an extra notch of vibrancy and depth to each one’s colour pallet. It’s like switching on a light switch from matte to glittering and saturated. In the time it would’ve taken to check your news feed, that same amount of time was used to notice something creative but easy to miss if you’re not fully present.

From roses, bluebells, peonies and daffodils to orchids, there are so many ways the humble flower can bring a little luxury to our lives. Even if gardening isn’t your cup of tea, nothing beats a trip to your local florist to take in every smell, shade and type of flower that season has to offer. It’s impossible to choose just a few though. You always want to bring home at least 4 or 5 bunches with the excuse of ‘they’re a gift for family or a friend’. We all know that they’re a gift to ourselves! Probably the most attractive thing about flowers, aside from their natural beauty, is how there’s something for every season of the year, so you don’t have to worry about missing your favourite type of bloomer when winter hits. There’s immense joy from seeing iris and tulips just in time for spring whereas decorating the table with chrysanthemums and poinsettias for Christmas gets everyone hyped up for the holidays.

Well, this place is certainly a change from my last home. I have my own space to run around and I must say, this carpet makes a nice change from for my delicate toe beans. Instead of random strangers looking through that tiny glass door, I’ve got my own huge window to look at all them, the cars and my next meal - sorry, I mean the sparrows flying around! I guess I could get used to this, but I’m not sure why that huge soft bed is sitting there, and what’s with that giant scratching post? I’ve already started using the net curtains for my manicure, and that spot next to the microwave has been so comfy so far. Right, back to hunting dinner, I mean, admiring those sparrows. But who’s this? Who’s this young lady that’s approaching my new home? She looks like she’s struggling with all those shopping bags. And what’s going on with her arm? One has shells and seaweed patterns on it but the other doesn’t for some reason. Anyhow, she also looks tired and like she could do with some of those biscuits I made earlier.

OK, she is now standing in my house. I don’t know this lady but she seems nice. Is she my new mum, aunt or just another stranger passing by? The first thing I've noticed is her tired but welcoming smile in my direction. As if that wasn't enough, she knows how to give me a good, loving stroke. She's obviously been a cat lover all her life. Even though we've only known each other for a few minutes, I hate seeing her look so exhausted and frail. Even on 18 hours of sleep a day, I know exactly how she feels.

I admire people who go running. Especially if it’s first thing in the morning because it must set them up for a positive start to their day. Not that I’ve even been running. I’ve only done short bursts on the treadmill, but I definitely feel the same benefits as my fellow outdoor runners must do. However, they always have one thing in common, and that’s the use of headphones or earbuds. I'm certainly not complaining, I never leave the house without my favourite tunes to keep me company - or block out life’s annoyances. However, on the rare occasions I accidently leave them at home, the sounds of nature take over. It’s so easy to, quite literally, walk past the subtle details that we miss listening to our usual tunes. That's an idea I decided to put to the test, not with a run but a casual walk instead...

The first 10 minutes of my walk felt very alien, as though I’d left something important at home. In a way, I did because I always have my earbuds on hand. However, all the sounds of nature soon took its place, from the occasional tweeting of Sparrows, panting of dogs running past and crunch of gravel with each foot step. There wasn’t much rustling of trees that day, which was fine. The sound of nothing is often enough to grab your attention too. It’s not just the sounds of nature, but also the mid-spring scents that enter our nostrils, such as freshly cut grass, sea salt if you live near the coast and, my favourite, early evening bonfire. All of these qualities not only offer a different perspective to what we often see on a daily basis, but also make us appreciate the areas we maybe once took for granted more.

Do you remember seeing those shadow puppet shows as a kid, or a solid outline of your favourite city’s skyline for your bedroom wall? That, my friend, is called a silhouette. Using a technique called backlighting, this uses a bright background to make the object in front of it appear as a solid outline with little to no details showing. The background is often made up of artificial light sources or natural sunlight, with the latter making for some of the most beautiful sunrise and sunset photos imaginable.

What also makes this type of photography so attractive is how versatile it is. Whether it’s a static object, world famous skyline or your best friend posing for the camera, the outline is instantly recognisable. Thankfully, I had a little help of Mother Nature to create some of my very first silhouettes…

I’m very fortunate to live near the coast, including my home town which is a great source of relaxation and nostalgia from growing up there until my early 20s. What I love about visiting home is that I still envision 5-year-old me running up and down the pier but I can also remember 17-year-old me working in one of the cafes part time during college. Each phase of my life comes with fond memories of living there, one way or another. However, one aspect that covers my entire life is admiring the row of boats lined up against the water’s edge, always wondering which ones have just returned from fishing and those that are heading out to sea. One day, with the early morning sunlight, I jumped at the opportunity to capture the two in one go, and little did I know that it would be my very first silhouette photograph. It was as if the sun was a spotlight shining down on the rickety wooden boat, even down to the mast and ropes which created this one solid outline. Throw in the glimmer of salt water soaked pebbles and it’s those microscopic details that bring the whole scene together.

Later that very same day, I made another trip outside to capture the sunset with varying gradients of pastel pinks and blues. As stunning as the seafront would have looked, my back garden had to make do. However, using that morning’s photo shoot as inspiration, the overgrown hedges combined with the late evening sun as its backdrop made for an equally successful result. With only three contrasting colours in the whole photo, there’s enough detail to make the silhouette recognisable and the shot’s main focus but not too overwhelming on the eyes. We want some of that gorgeous sunset getting the attention it deserves too!

The one thing about London that attracts so many tourists is each part is known for something unique and varied. Southbank is what puts the iconic London Eye on the map whereas Notting Hill is, quite literally, home to the most beautiful wisteria covered houses imaginable. And let’s not forget Mayfair for all you shopaholics out there! There’s something that gives each area of London its own identity, and the same goes for the West End. While fairly central, you don’t need to stroll around for long to see what’s on offer. The blazing lights on every building and glittering advertisements for five star global phenomenons all make it obvious that the West End is a theatre, performing arts and musical hotspot. Just looking at each one from outside, I wonder if rehearsals are underway or if the show has just finished its closing night, also picturing the bustle backstage to the smell of wooden scenery pieces and carpet that takes the audience to their seats. The West End truly has made its theatrical identity clear to all, even before the curtains open…

With the worst of winter out of the way for another year, we’re starting to notice very subtle changes outside. The sun sets one hour later, coats and scarfs are being replaced with florals and every pastel colour imaginable plus dozens of daffodils add a much needed splash of colour to the landscape. If this doesn’t raise one’s serotonin levels, then not much will. However, one other feel-good aspect that is bound to melt hearts is seeing the wildlife spring back into action (I couldn’t help myself!) Catching a glimpse of lambs and ducklings taking their first steps as well as those coming out of hibernation are enough to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Speaking of which…

On a rare April afternoon when the temperature is above 10 degrees and it wasn’t raining for more than an hour, I took a break from the joys of housework to make the most of the early springtime weather, taking in every soft blush pink of each blossom tree and gentle quacking of ducks that occupied the river beside me. Looking to admire them as I usually do, seeing five or six ducklings trying to catch up with their mum only added to the joy I already get when I see this kind of wildlife. When they decided that it was enough swimming for one day, it was amusing seeing them perched on the nearest rock to watch the world go by, with their mum never far away and keeping a close eye.

If there is one place that screams peace, serenity and tranquility, it’s Dartmoor. Sitting in the heart of Southwest England, Dartmoor is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, forests and rivers to name just a few. Imagine your favourite fairytale whether it’s Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood or even Snow White. Trekking the rocky terrains of Dartmoor’s greenery is like stepping into one of those books. Who would have thought these types of fictional settings do exist?

Stepping outside to take on the rocky pathways of Dartmoor, I wasn’t prepared for the sheer level of natural beauty that dawned on us. Bright blue skies complemented the morning sun and the aggressive thrashing of rapids from a distance. Even from high up on Dartmoor’s steep hills, the rivers sounded like you’re walking right beside them. Venturing further up the route, every rock, twig and tree trunk was coated in a thick blanket of emerald green moss, still damp from last night’s rainfall. With sunbeams shooting through the tree branches and reflecting on the moss like Swarovski crystals, I had never seen so many vibrant shades of green on this scale before. It truly felt like I was dropped in the middle of these fairytales, looking far and wide for the destination but getting distracted by nature’s remarkable beauty. Little did I know that this was only part of the journey…

After making it through the jungle of moss and trees, we’re greeted with something slightly more dull and less glamorous. Grey clouds hinting another rainstorm later that afternoon. However, that didn’t take anything away from the scene that was right in front of us. When they said Dartmoor is know for it’s stunning landscapes, they weren’t joking. Much like the moss, every shade of green possible was there from the grass growing out of the rocks we used to rest right up to the foggy haze of skyline.

The best part about gazing into landscapes like this is that everything is left at the doorstep. That email you forgot to reply to, that pile of dishes in the sink, that unfinished social media post you need to schedule for later today. None of those matter anymore. All that’s important is taking in every detail of such scenery that we don’t get to see everyday.

Behold, the humble squirrel. A widely seen member of the family Sciuridae (or small to medium sized rodents to the rest of us), the squirrel is a regular visitor and resident to woodlands, gardens and large rural areas. In the UK, we see far less of the native red squirrels as opposed to their non-native grey counterparts, thanks to a virus which is immune to them but fatal to the reds. However, it is still a delight to see any squirrels roaming around with their bushy tails, almond shaped eyes and breakneck speed. It’s like you blink and suddenly they’re gone. Squirrels are very fast critters indeed, so photographing one is always a triumphant moment, especially when you least expect to see it…

We're now well into the new year and you've guessed it - we're all sick and tired of winter. The cold evenings, constant rain and lack of sunshine are finally taking their toll. Unfortunately, it's going to be a while until we see any signs of spring. However, there's many things that can ease the winter blues, with one of them being a simple change of scenery now and again. What's more, you don't even have to overhaul your routine. Whether it's simply taking a different route to work or a full weekend away, having something to look forward to can break up the week enough to add some excitement and trigger some much needed Serotonin. Care to join me on my go to escapes?

Ahh yes, the tiny seaside town of Deal. Tucked away in the South East corner of England, Deal is renowned for its three castles stretching nearly the same number of miles from start to finish, old fashioned houses lined up like books on a shelf and trademark pier that offers sensational views of the coastline. What more could one want to brush away the week's stresses? What adds to Deal's charm is that even on the most overcast days when icy winds pierce through the tide, the town's natural beauty never fades and you always return home feeling better than before you left. Now that's killing two birds with one stone!

Just a mere half an hour down the road from Deal and we get to Ramsgate, which is very much like its counterpart thanks to stunning ocean views, plenty of open space to walk around and take in every detail of each fragile, aging house. There is one slight difference though. For such a small town, it's hard to miss the extraordinary royal harbour that puts it on the map. Used for both commercial and leisure purposes, it’s impossible to not stop and admire each boat that fills every harbour space, whether it’s a fishing boat about to set off for the morning or a luxury yacht welcoming its next round of guests on board - including the many seagulls tag teaming for a few chips.

There are many times where I've been hanging out with friends and one of them decides our route, or takes a detour to the next round of drinks. It’s also during those times that I’ve discovered an entirely new environment or change in atmosphere along the way. From passing traffic and crowded high streets to Victorian houses and the clinking of glasses from a dozen cosy cafes, it’s fascinating to get a different perspective on an area we know so well - or so we think we do. It’s was one British summer’s day in the Big Smoke, mismatched July temperatures with overcast skies, where I was strolling through the hustle and bustle of Camden Lock. One turn out of the market and I came across an old brick building. Little did I know that there was much more history to this building than first meets the eye...

It turned out the windows were filled with bricks because of what was known as the window tax. Imposed back in 1696, its sole aim was to increase the amount tax residents paid on the house based on the number of windows it had. In a nutshell, the more windows your house had, the more tax you had to pay. In response to this, those who were hit hard by the tax took matters into their own hands and filled in any extra windows with bricks. Never had I come across this piece of history before, nor the route that it was on, so it’s was most interesting to learn something new about the city I’ve already photographed many times.

It's the first week of January. While some of us are returning to work, others or sleeping off that hangover from new year's eve. One thing for certain is that no one knows what day of the week it is or how quickly it seems to pass by. As a result, it's easy to forget our new year’s resolutions in spite them being the same every year. Quit smoking, hit the gym more, eat healthier or drink less alcohol, you name it. Don’t get me wrong, all of these are valid and beneficial resolutions. However, I've been trying out guided meditation apps in my evening routine, and one important thing I learned was how we base our resolutions on the bad habits we want to fix rather than our qualities we want to build on. And that is exactly the task I will be setting myself. Allow me to elaborate...

In the hands of nature

The speed and ease that we can check the news, see what our friends are doing or the holidays they are going on at the single tap of a button is impressive, and almost frightening. As lovely as it is to see what our friends are celebrating and vice versa, our phone screens can detach us from the present moment. That's is why I have made it my priority to improve my overall wellbeing - starting with social media apps, logging off at set times and avoiding them completely when I’m running errands, with regular walks or a 30 minute sit in my favourite garden have fast become one. Before long, I’ve forgotten about the phone in my back pocket and take in elements of nature I would otherwise miss. Tiny details such as how many ducks just swam past, what colours the flowers are and the scents entering my nostrils. Bonfire? Winter fog? Maybe those flowers smelling as beautiful as they look. If I added up the amount of time spent looking at a screen, that’s time I could spend appreciating the outdoors in its honest, most healing format.

An ongoing commitment

Building on my love for the environment and doing everything possible to protect it, I’ve made it my goal to re-evaluate what else I can do to play my part. What is that, you ask? It’s making use of what I already have before replacing or buying more of it, such as cosmetics, art supplies, toiletries and my many coffee cups. Even finishing a book or art project before starting a new one of each is a habit that works hand in hand with each other.

Nature photography is like opening a box of your favourite chocolates. Even if you’re exploring familiar territory, you have no idea what wildlife you will encounter or how the weather will turn out until you're there. If there's one place that throws every type of weather forecast at you, it’s non other than the Lake District. Thanks to its picturesque mountains and endless miles of open water with beauty the defies belief, it’s a hot spot for adventurers both on the lakes and dry land. Although, it’s not just the sights that capture your attention. Every step you take is accompanied by the rustle of twigs, crunch of gravel or splash of puddles from Cumbria’s never ending rain showers. You might not even know you’re near a flock of sheep or the main town an until that faint ‘baa’ or traffic reaches your ears. Sometimes when you look back at photos taken in that moment, it’s almost like you can hear those elements again through the screen…

When I head we were going hiking in the mountains of Buttermere, I knew that it wasn’t going to be a straightforward route. Much of it involved trekking over rocky pathways, logs embedded into the grass by mud and crossing streams that ranged from shallow rapids to leftover puddles from last night’s rainfall. However, all these made the journey much more exciting, adventurous and somewhat relaxing. You’re not on your phone or distracted by the latest news headlines, only by the tiny details of nature that you’d otherwise miss. If you’re shooting any scene that has moving elements, you’re almost locking those sounds into the shot, so looking back at that photo later on and remembering what you heard in the moment can be a therapeutic experience.

Many people will look at the same photo but have different ideas of what it could mean and emotions it triggers. Relaxation, curiosity, maybe even homesickness or reminders from their own childhood. However, what’s going on in the photo is just part of that. Deciding on the orientation is one of the other most crucial decisions a photographer must make. In other words, whether the photo is shot in portrait or landscape. This is because one 90 degree turn of the camera completely transforms the story you’re trying to tell, emotions you want to invoke in the audience and even how elements in the shot look. What adds to the tough decision is what the shot will be used for, whether it’s your new phone wallpaper or something to fill some space on your living room wall. The general rule of thumb is that portrait orientation is used amongst architecture, editorial and, well, portrait shots whereas landscape is best suited for exactly that - landscape, nature and the great outdoors. Although, what’s wrong with trying both at the same time?

Imagine you’re going for a walk and you notice something about the scenery that catches your eye. Is it a cow grazing in the distance, a patch of sunset in a colour you’ve not seen before, or could it be how the hills overlap one another? You take two photos of the entire scene. One in portrait and the other in landscape. Now, look at them side by side and ask yourself, ‘does my eye go to the same thing that originally caught my attention?’ Maybe portrait enlarges one aspect that landscape keeps more discrete? What mood does each layout create and do they coincide with how I felt in the moment taking this shot? All of these small ‘what ifs’ come together to form the ultimate make-or-break question. Does portrait or landscape help tell the story that I want to tell?

The year is 2013. The sound of scratching from your cardboard carrier filled the room. You stumbled out and glazed bewilderingly around your new forever home, as if you were in an art gallery looking at all the paintings and statues towering over you. Although, I guess we were the ones towering over, gazing down to admire your every meow and silk fur coat. Soon after your arrival, we could only admire you from a distance. Under the sofa, bed and TV cabinet became your hiding spots with the occasional wander to your food bowl before scooting back to hiding. However, that didn’t last for long. For some reason, you thought my legs were a scratching post and thought nothing of jumping at me whenever I walked past. I’ve never had so many scratch marks in my life. I was never angry. They were a sign of you getting used to us being around and burning off some of that hyper kitten energy of yours. Or so I like to think!

Fast forward to 2025 and both of us have endured through what life has to throw at us together. I went from a teen starting to find her footing in the world and future ambitions to twenty something years old with bills, adult responsibilities and an unhealthy reliance on coffee. Your naps became increasingly longer and it took slightly longer to climb the stairs, but you still brought in the occasional bird or mouse and thought my shoes were an ideal bed. You still popped into see me when you needed affection or feeding. By that, I mean a 3am trip to stick your nose in my face, walk over me and finally bite my head. Of all things, my head. Seriously, I don't look that appetising!