In 2012 I was 25, married to the woman of my dreams, had a great job, a nice house, and seemingly had it all. But there was an emptiness deep inside that suddenly reared its head and I found myself in a doctor’s office being diagnosed with depression. Life had lost its color and light. Nothing no longer appealed to me. I was in a dark, scary place and didn’t even really know why my mental health deteriorated.

We had a planned trip to Europe coming up and although we were so close to canceling due to my mental issues, I managed to get myself together just enough to leave home. Like all vacations, we had a camera with us, this time it was the new DSLR my wife wanted. I soon found that I really liked composing shots and trying to get creative photos. I was looking at things a little differently.

Once we got home I happened to download Instagram and photography art entered my mind once again. I pulled the camera back out of the cupboard and started to take photos of my dog and everyday things around the house. Eventually, I made my way down to the beach to watch the sunrise. My life hasn’t been the same since.

I would be lying if I said my depression left overnight but over the next few months, the more I got involved in creative photography, the more I began to see the love and the beautiful world around me. Depression had stripped my life of its color but looking through a lens was slowly painting it all back. Places and objects that I once would have walked right past were now standing out to me. They were appealing and revealed something to be admired through these stunning pictures.

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I seemingly had it all, but there was an emptiness deep inside

South Coast, NSW Australia.

I found myself in a doctors office being diagnosed with depression

Yosemite USA.

I was in a dark, scary place and didn’t even really know why

Moraine Lake, Canada.

We had a planned trip to Europe. Although we were so close to cancelling due to my health, I managed to leave home

Wollongong, NSW Australia.

Like all vacations, we had a camera with us, a new DSLR

Wollongong, Australia.

I soon found that I really liked composing shots and being creative with photos

I was looking at things a little differently

Mount Cook, New Zealand.

Once we got home, I started to take photos of every day things

Sydney, NSW Australia.

The more I began taking photos, the more I began to see love and beauty in the world

Nugget Point, New Zealand.

Depression had stripped my life of its color but looking through a lens was slowly painting it all back

Athabasca Falls, Jasper Canada.

It has been just over 3 years now and the world is a totally different place to me

Austinmer, Australia.

My life is so much more fulfilled

Emerald Lake, Canada.

I am able to sit and appreciate the simple things in life

Cathedral Rocks, Kiama Australia.

I admire the small, intricate details that make up this big, beautiful earth

Sydney Royal National Park.

I am so grateful to be able to wake each day with hope again and start fresh with the rising of each new sun

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Camel Rock, Bermagui Australia.

Photography is my outlet and form of expression, something that I depend on like the air I breathe

Coalcliff, Australia.

Wollongong, Australia.

Wollongong, Australia.

Mt Field, Tasmania.

New Zealand’s South Island.

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