My love for nature began early, growing up in leafy cantonments that offered endless opportunities to explore the wilderness. By 14, my fascination was solidified when I received my cherished Debonair camera, a gift from my brother. This simple plastic camera, with its three aperture settings and precious 120mm film rolls, taught me patience and precision. My early “masterpieces” included blurry photos of ants and empty branches where birds had flown away—each mistake a step in my learning journey.

In college, I upgraded to an Asahi Pentax SPII attached with a custom lathed mount to a hefty, 11-pound, Carl Zeiss Jena 305mm f/5.6 beast of a lens salvaged from the belly of a Canberra bomber. Focusing this setup, often with my feet, was a lesson in perseverance and how easy it was to make my biceps. While exceptional photography isn’t about gear alone, this experience showed me how equipment shapes possibilities. Later, I invested in a Nikon F100, won awards, and founded my college’s first photography society—moments that fuelled my passion.

Graduating with a degree in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry, I later obtained a master’s and eventually was made a member of Board of Trustee of the Kent Wildlife Trust. Protecting nature’s beauty and biodiversity was deeply fulfilling, though I’ve since shifted focus to healing hearts and photographing the essence of nature. Conservation remains central to who I am.

Today, shooting with Nikon gear feels like an extension of myself, enabling me to connect deeply with the natural world. I’ve learned that humans are but one small, often disruptive thread in the delicate fabric of life. The evolutionary forces that shaped our planet far surpass us, offering wisdom we can only grasp by quieting ourselves, observing with respect, and embracing nature’s profound lessons.