A brief insight into my photography journey

Today is World Photography day so I figured what better time for me to explain my photography journey with you than now.

I’ve always been creative and light has always been something that I’ve obsessed over. I used to take photo’s as a child on a cheap point and shoot in the days of film but I can’t really recall what pictures I took most probably because I didn’t really know what I was doing.

In July 2001 I married my husband and on our honeymoon in Canada I used a digital camera for the very first time. It was so new and exciting to be able to see what I was capturing immediately rather than having to wait for the film to be processed. I bought several different cameras before buying my first semi pro DSLR when I was expecting my second son, Theo. I loved being able to take photos of my children but when Theo was 6 months old I was diagnosed with postnatal depression and anxiety and I shelved my camera along with everything I had ever enjoyed up until that point it seems.

My anxiety was unbearable. I couldn’t eat properly and sleeping was impossible. My mind and body were exhausted. 

I remember one specific night we were on holiday in Center Parcs as a family and I was desperately trying to stop my brain thinking about every worse case scenario you could imagine. I was filled with anxiety and adrenaline and the only way to try and prevent a panic attack was to distract myself. I needed to get up, get out and walk. It was cold and crisp and the sky was so clear that night that the stars were brighter than I had ever seen before and I was sure there were more of them than usual. I remember promising myself that I was going to learn how to capture them in camera. So that’s what I did and photography suddenly became more to me than my hobby, it became my lifeline.

I spent the next couple of years chasing the light, capturing stars and spending a lot of time exploring landscapes.

A few years passed, many 100’s of photo’s and a baby girl later, I’m pleased to say I no longer suffer as greatly with anxiety and depression as I did. Having Florence inspired me to stop hiding and take photo’s of people again. There is where my passion for portraiture was born. My love and passion for photography is strong and I’m so privileged to now be running my own photography studio in Herefordshire where I get to work with maternity clients and newborn babies and capture their memories forever.

I’m a qualified member of the Guild of Photographers, I’ve trained with some of the best photographers in the world and I’ve won several awards for my newborn and maternity work. My experience as, not only a photographer but as a Mother of three and all that encompasses, helps me offer my clients the very best experience and the most beautiful timeless images. It really is the best job ever!

If you’d like to chat about booking a newborn, maternity, baby or family session please get in touch here

Jemma xx

Jemma xxxJ