My Lifelong Love Affair
My Lifelong Love Affair with Photography
My love for photography started back in high school when I became one of the “yearbook” photographers. Looking back, I suppose that made me a bit of a geek, but I didn’t care. It was a ticket to every event, a backstage pass to the moments that mattered. While others watched from the sidelines, I was right there, capturing it all through my lens. There was something magical about freezing time in a frame, about telling a story without using a single word.
I was so passionate that I even had a darkroom at home. That tiny, dimly lit space became my sanctuary, where I would develop my own photos, watching the images appear slowly like ghosts emerging from the shadows. I loved every second of it—the smell of the chemicals, the careful timing, the suspense of waiting to see if I got the shot just right.
Later, I found a new purpose for my camera when I started volunteering at the SPCA, taking pictures of pets to help them get adopted. That experience taught me how powerful an image could be—not just for capturing memories but for changing lives. A well-timed, expressive photo could mean the difference between a dog or cat finding a forever home or being overlooked.
Then came the beginning of the digital era. It changed everything.
I was first introduced to digital photography through work when I was given a digital camera as part of my role as a collision investigator. Suddenly, I wasn’t limited by rolls of 24 or 36 exposures. No more rationing shots, no more carefully logging settings so I could make sense of the images once they were developed. With digital, I had unlimited freedom. I could experiment, adjust, and immediately see the results. The learning curve was steep, but I was all in.
In 2003, I borrowed my first digital single-lens reflex (DSLR), a Nikon. That moment was like throwing gasoline on an already raging fire. I was hooked. My love for photography skyrocketed. Around the same time, Photoshop was in its infancy, offering a whole new layer of creative possibilities. The days of carefully composing shots to fit within the limits of film were gone—now, I could tweak and refine images endlessly in post-production. Photography had entered an entirely new era, and I was eager to explore every bit of it.
The Evolution of My Craft
As technology evolved, so did my passion. When drones became widely available, I saw them not as flying machines but as airborne cameras with limitless perspectives. The ability to capture the world from above added a whole new dimension to my photography.
Around this time, my work also began pulling me into video production. It wasn’t just about still images anymore—I needed to create and edit videos. To my surprise, I fell in love with the process. Framing a moving shot, editing sequences, and adding soundtracks felt like an evolution of my original passion.
My interests expanded further when I ventured into studio model photography and eventually into artistic nudes. I had always been fascinated by the human form and the way light could sculpt and define it. I experimented with different cameras, shooting with a Nikon D4, D800, and a Sony A7iii, paired with ultra-fast prime lenses and a couple of zooms.
Yet, no matter how far my photography took me, one thing remained the same: I never wanted it to become a business.
Creative Freedom Over Commercial Work
Once you start shooting for clients, you lose a piece of the creative freedom that makes photography so special. I quickly learned that I didn’t want to be the person people called to shoot weddings, birthday parties, or corporate events. I shot one event, a Christmas party, and was misled into thinking it would be a small, intimate gathering. Instead, it turned out to be a massive public function. I spent the entire night working, not enjoying, and that experience made one thing clear—I would never fall into that trap again.
Photography, for me, has always been about passion and self-expression, not obligation. I love the ability to say, “I’m not that kind of photographer” when someone asks me to take on work that doesn’t inspire me.
Street Photography and Travel
More recently, I’ve fallen in love with street photography. Starting with a Fujifilm X-Pro-3 and then a Ricoh GR III in my pocket, I find myself drawn to the candid, unscripted moments of daily life. There’s something raw and real about capturing people in their natural environment—unaware, unfiltered, and authentic.
Travel has also been a huge influence on my work. As an avid traveller, I don’t just explore places—I photograph them. I joined Model Mayhem, a platform that connects photographers with models worldwide, allowing me to set up shoots wherever I am. Whether I’m in a city for a weekend or a few weeks, I try to schedule at least one or two shoots, immersing myself in new locations and perspectives.
For YouTube content, I’ve adapted to the simplicity of shooting with an iPhone 15 Pro Max and a DJI Pocket 3. It’s amazing how far mobile technology has come, allowing creators to capture high-quality video and photography without lugging around a full camera bag.
The Journey Continues
Photography isn’t just a hobby or a skill—it’s a lifelong journey. It has evolved with me, from high school yearbook assignments to darkroom experiments, from film to digital, from still images to video. Every new piece of gear, every new technique, and every trip I take adds another chapter to my story as a photographer.
I shoot because I love it, not because I have to. I choose what I capture, when, and how. Photography remains my creative outlet, my way of seeing the world, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
