It's Not Just About Photos: It's Why I Take Them

You've seen my photos, but you might not know the story behind the person taking them. My journey to becoming a photographer was more than just picking up a camera. It was about finding my true purpose and joy.

Throughout my life, I've had many passions and interests. I've been completely absorbed in learning musical instruments, dabbling in sports, and even leading a university show choir to victory on a West End stage. Each pursuit was 110% important to me at the time, a way to channel my endless creative energy. These experiences, though temporary, taught me the joy of passion, the discipline of practice, and the importance of finding a creative outlet. 

All the while, I was also building a career in education. I became a qualified teacher, a role that taught me invaluable skills in patience, communication, and leadership. I learned to connect with people on a personal level and to find the unique story in every person I meet. I love the rewarding nature of teaching, but as the years went on, I felt a deep need to find a new way to express my creativity. My personal experiences with health challenges and the pandemic forced me to stop and reflect on what truly matters: capturing the moments that are precious and fleeting. 

The truth is, while my other creative passions came and went, there was one constant thread in my life, always there, silently in the background. 

Photography.

I have distinct memories of playing with my mum’s film camera as a child, learning to be the one behind the lens to help document our family holidays. As I grew up, my fascination never left. My first proper camera for Christmas as a teenager - a red Lumix G1 (which I, on reflection, took some honking photos with, some decent, but it was valuable practice). 

My first purchase with my first ever weekend job at 16 - a compact digital camera for £30 from EBay. Any new phone I meticulously researched had to have the best camera or it was worthless to me. I would spend hours at home watching photography-related YouTube videos, researching cameras, making spreadsheets and daydreaming about starting a portraiture photography business. It felt like a calling, but one I wasn’t sure I was ready to answer. 

I finally pulled the trigger on a Canon EOS R10 in May 2023 with my grown-up money from my grown-up job. Then, incidentally, in the August, my partner and I discovered that we were expecting our first child. I felt absolutely vindicated about my purchase - what perfect use for a professional camera! Since he was born, I have used this camera to document every tiny detail of his life. I have learned so much about the technical skills, the manual modes, and the art of composition. 

But what I also realised is that I’m hardly ever in the shot. My partner, despite his best efforts, doesn’t quite get the angles right, and I am largely missing from our family's story.

This got me thinking... How many other parents are also missing from the family photos? And how many passionate business owners, like me, are missing from their own brand story? My mission is to ensure no one is missing from their own story. I want to use my passion to capture the authentic moments, the fleeting beauty, and the genuine connections that make your family, your business, and you so uniquely you. 

Diolch yn fawr am ddarllen. Thank you so much for reading.

I hope to connect with you soon!

Cariad mawr,

Rhi x