In November 2008, our world was turned upside down. My brother Adam had a fall that would forever change his life.
Adam helped bring a group to our small town, as he knew first hand the importance of brain injury awareness and also, sadly, the lack of support for people with this injury.
The resources provided are not only for individuals who have experienced a brain injury, they also provided resources and support to their loved ones/caregivers.
As June begins, nature has a way of reminding us to slow down. The rush of spring is behind us, and summer hasn’t quite hit full stride. There’s a pause—a breath between seasons. It’s in that in-between space where I find inspiration, especially through the lens of macro photography.
This image was captured after a gentle rain, the world still hushed and heavy with moisture. A single leaf, cradling droplets like tiny glass sculptures, became my subject. Each drop, though momentary, felt eternal in its stillness. Breathe…
June Teaches Us to Look Closer
June isn’t always about big moments or bold beginnings. Sometimes it’s about subtle shifts—longer days, warmer mornings, the way light lingers just a bit longer in the evening.
That’s what this photograph represents to me: a gentle awareness. The kind that asks nothing of you but your attention. It’s not dramatic, but it’s deeply present. And maybe that’s the lesson June has to offer.
Stillness is Underrated
Macro photography is a practice of patience. You can’t rush it. You must remain still. This allows your subject to settle into its own rhythm. By doing this, you also calm. That’s a rhythm I’m carrying into this month.
In a world that constantly demands movement and momentum, this image is my quiet rebellion. A celebration of stillness. A reminder that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is be fully here. BE!
As we step into June, may we notice more, rush less, and give the smallest moments the attention they deserve.
In the hustle of daily life, we often overlook the beauty that surrounds us. Yet, sometimes, it’s the tiniest details that hold the most profound lessons. This image—a close-up of rain droplets perched delicately on a leaf—serves as a reminder of the elegance found in simplicity.
The Power of Perspective
Macro photography trains the eye to notice what others might miss. A raindrop, in its miniature world, becomes a lens reflecting the vastness of the sky. By focusing on such small subjects, we learn to appreciate the intricate patterns and textures that make up our world.
Embracing the Moment
Water droplets are transient; they exist for mere moments before evaporating or falling away. Capturing them teaches us the value of the present. In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to forget that beauty often resides in fleeting moments.
Reflections of Life
Just as a raindrop mirrors its surroundings, our perceptions reflect our inner state. By adjusting our focus, we can change how we view the world. Photography, in this sense, becomes a metaphor for life—encouraging us to shift our perspective and find clarity.
Macro Photography teaches you to look beyond the obvious. Its a crucial life lesson.
Beyond the Obvious: What Macro Photography Taught Me About Life
In a world obsessed with the big picture, macro photography taught me the value of looking closer.
I first picked up a macro lens. I thought I was just exploring a new technique. I planned on capturing intricate textures. I wanted to capture the symmetry of an insect’s wing. I aimed to photograph the fine dew on a petal at sunrise. But over time, it became something much more. It became a way of seeing the world. A life lesson, disguised as art.
The Art of Paying Attention
Macro photography demands stillness. You don’t just snap a shot—you slow down, breathe, and observe. You study your subject as though it’s the only thing in the universe that matters at that moment. And it is.
That kind of attention is rare in daily life. We scroll, skim, skip. We’re conditioned to look for the headline, the shortcut, the result. But macro photography insists: stop rushing. The magic is in the details.
Life Is in the Details
Insects, moss, veins of a leaf—these aren’t things we usually stop to admire. But when you bring them into focus, they reveal patterns and beauty that rival the grandest landscapes.
That’s life, isn’t it?
The small moments—quiet coffee in the morning, laughter in passing, the way light falls through a curtain—are essential. They are the micro-moments that build a meaningful life. Too often, they go unnoticed. Macro photography has trained me to find them, appreciate them, capture them—not just with a camera, but with my presence.
Seeing the Unseen
There’s a discipline in searching for beauty where others might overlook it. You learn to trust your eye, to dig deeper, to question what’s “obvious.” That mindset spills over into everything: relationships, creativity, even problem-solving. It teaches empathy, patience, and curiosity.
Macro photography reminds us that the world is layered. What you see first is rarely all there is. Look closer.
A Practice in Mindfulness
Every macro shoot is a meditation. You become aware of your breath, your movement, the wind, the weight of light. It’s one of the few places where I lose all sense of time—because I’m fully present. And in that space, I feel connected, not just to my subject, but to something much bigger.
Macro photography isn’t just about close-up images. It’s a philosophy. It teaches us to slow down, to pay attention, to look again. And in doing so, it reveals a truth we often forget in the chaos of everyday life:
The most extraordinary things are often hiding in plain sight —waiting for us to notice.
I used to dread the damp, dreary, rainy days. Now I grab my camera and macro lens. I go out and make the best of the weather by shooting! Its one of the most unique ways to capture the beauty of nature, intimately.
Ive noticed when shooting macro, I tend to hold my breath. Now conscious of this and after having a wee scare recently, I consciously told myself to breathe as I was shooting these photos. I know I haven’t been as conscious as I should have, I am just getting back to my “roots” and ensuring my cup is overflowing. This can feel challenging at times.
Am I allowed to feel and be happy, of course I am allowed to, yet why does it at times feel so debilitating. I know Im not the only one, any death is hard, unexpected is that much harder. Even knowing hes here with me spiritually whenever I need, there is a part of me missing now forever.
His reminder to me, through a medium, take care of myself, take care of my body… Getting out on cold, rainy, dreary days helps shift the focus. Capturing these images transforms ‘your life as art’ instead of wallowing in sadness. As I edit the images from my camera I enjoy my vitamin drink + electrolytes. All habits that also help my well-being.
Whatever challenges you face in life, macro can help guide you. It brings you from the overwhelming or scary great big picture. It pulls you back into the finer details of life. You can literally stop and smell the roses. These are details that may not be visible to the eye as you walk past. A shift in perspective.
Go higher, get lower, think outside of the box when it comes to macro. Talk to nature.
Go Higher
Get Lower
Think outside of the box
Talk to Nature – speak to the plants, birds, butterflies and bees.
Maximize and minimize your aperture. Get in close. A beautiful bokeh creates a breathtakingly beautiful background. Pulling out to f8 or 10 gets even more details in focus in the image.
If it’s still raining or lightly spitting, use the lens hood. That will help keep the rain off the front of your lens.
“Grief is just love with no place to go. All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest.”
Nature never ceases to amaze me, the beauty of the rain on the leaves of this plant are just breath taking. Something I am deeply being reminded of. Breath.
Find more things that truly take your breath away purely by their beauty!
Nature is so beautiful. Plants do not care who or what is around them. They are their best selves. I find such peace being with nature.
I pushed my settings limits on this one, I normally like to maximize the lens, so if its an f2.8 or f3.5 or 4 I like to shoot at that, Ive found my lenses are beautifully sharp at that setting. For this one I pushed to f8 to get even more macro beauty detail!
This above might be my fav ❤
‘Time and life can create distance, but it doesn’t erase care or memories. Wherever you are in your journey, I wish you joy, healing, and all the beautiful things life can offer.‘
Photography as Therapy: Finding Healing Through the Lens
In our fast-paced world, moments of stillness can be rare. Yet, within the quietude of nature and the delicate details of everyday life, there lies a profound opportunity for healing. Through my lens, I’ve discovered that photography isn’t just about capturing images—it’s about capturing moments that invite us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our inner selves.
The Healing Power of the Lens
Photography has long been celebrated as a tool for expression. But beyond its artistic value, it holds therapeutic potential. Engaging with the world through a camera can:
Encourage Mindfulness: Focusing on the present moment, whether it’s the shimmer of a raindrop or the intricate pattern of a leaf, fosters mindfulness.
Promote Emotional Expression: Capturing images that resonate emotionally allows for the expression of feelings that words sometimes cannot convey.
Facilitate Reflection: Reviewing photographs can prompt introspection, helping us understand our emotions and experiences better.
A Personal Journey
For me, photography has been a sanctuary—a space where I can process emotions, celebrate beauty, and find solace. Each photograph I take is a step in my healing journey, a testament to the power of seeing the world through a compassionate lens.
Inviting You to Heal Through Art
I invite you to explore the Healing Collections on my website. Each piece is more than just a photograph; it’s a visual invitation to pause, breathe, and reflect. Whether displayed in your home, office, or therapy space, these images are designed to promote peace and mindfulness.
Remember, healing isn’t a destination—it’s a journey. And sometimes, all it takes is a moment of stillness to begin.
Life allows us to make decisions and plans. However, if we do not deeply listen to our body, we may hit roadblocks. These roadblocks are ones we previously wouldn’t have encountered. Grief can be interesting in the body. How you feel, what you feel, the when you have zero control over, how you support yourself is key.
Friday evening, after I had fallen asleep, I woke not long later. I knew I was in trouble. I couldn’t breathe. My husband was by my side, thank god. He was able to get me walking. I was eventually able to breathe before everything inside of my stomach shot out with little to no warning.
That next morning before even getting out of bed, I listened to a couple of meditations. They helped me re-frame my mind. I needed to get out of that fear-based thinking that felt so scary for me.
My day was spent on the couch. That was completely ok. It was wet and rainy outside. It was dreary, cold, and so very damp. I looked out the front window this morning. I saw the single tulip in our smaller garden. I remembered my desire to capture it. Then, I remembered it had rained…
Macro Beauty!
This morning I also remembered the Breathing Challenge I had joined in May, yet hadn’t started yet. So I pulled out my head phones and pressed play on the first video.
Breath work – “It gets to feel safe to be here”, and “I am ok and I am safe”
Exactly what my body needed… to reassure that I am safe in my body.
I am ok, I am safe.
It was a very scary experience for me. I am grateful my husband was by my side. He took care of me. I am grateful I expanded my energy to embrace the rainy day beauty outside. I pushed myself beyond the scariness. I know it’s okay to trust and to be in full trust knowing I am okay. I am safe.
I felt much better on Sunday, however Saturday was spent embraced within comfort, hydration and nourishment of food for me. It felt like a reset. I experienced a deep scare when I realized I couldn’t breathe in that moment. I was internally trying to keep myself calm.
An opportunity to get curious, to BE curious and listen close to what my body communicates to me. Its becoming clearer.
Photography as Therapy: Finding Healing Through the Lens
The Healing Power of the Lens
A Personal Journey
Inviting You to Heal Through Art
