I discovered the joy of photography on a workshop in a tiny town in Namaqualand, South Africa. I was a recently graduated physiotherapist and had never really thought of myself as “artistic”. Under the expert tuition of Colla Swart and Freeman Patterson, I found that the world of visual design and creative self-expression was not only available to everyone, it is in everyone. Freeman taught me that the camera looks both ways, that what you photograph, and how you choose to capture what is in front of you, says so much about your inner world and who you truly are.

Since that first workshop, I have honed my craft as a photographer and I have explored what is means to be creative and how to use photography and art to seek the beauty in the small things, to open our hearts to the divine and to learn more about ourselves in the process. I love to share that discovery with others, through beauty hunting and through photographic workshops that go beyond the basics of photography and into a place of connection.

Never being satisfied with just doing one thing, I also love portraiture. Taking time to get to know the person I am photographing and capturing who they are in a place that means something to them. I believe that every person I photograph is beautiful and my passion is to reflect that beauty and value back through my photographs. The photo sessions are often an experience in themselves and are loads of fun, as being able to relax and truly be yourself in front of a camera takes time and is a journey in itself.

I am so thankful for Colla and Freeman and so many other photographers who I have met along the way. Some have invested time and energy into teaching and mentoring me; others have joined me as fellow image-makers and beauty-hunters. Life is so much richer for knowing them.