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

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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