Tag Archives for Photography

Back on track

The last few weeks have been mad, loads to do, travelling half way round the world and then coming home to a pile of emails and enquiries to sort out!

But now I’m getting back on track, I’m going to get back to Blogging once a day, back to heading out running, Back to eating properly and healthily, Back to my best. 

Over the next year I hope this blog will give some of you an insight into my life, my ups and downs, thoughts and feelings as I struggle to develop as a young journalist, photographer and naturalist. Its going to be hard. lots of long nights, early mornings, deadlines and down days, but I will make it in the end. Hopefully along the way I might give some of you some lighthearted entertainment as well!

I look forward to making this work!

Tom

Tomorrow.

One should never wish a day away…but right now I can’t wait for tomorrow!

In under 24 hours Ill be on my way to the other side of the world, to a location I have always wanted to visit…The Amazon Rainforest. Into the heart of the Manu national park I will be venturing far from humans into one of the last true wildernesses. I have dreamed of visiting the rainforest since I started out watching wildlife and before my 20th birthday it will be a reality. Excited doesn’t come close!

Hopefully I can keep you all in the loop as it unfolds!

Cheers,

Tom

Finding vision.

As a creative person I am always looking for inspiration in order to improve and address my vision as a photographer. My inspiration although often from nature, comes from a variety of locations within my life. Over the past few weeks my vision has been buried under a heap of work, hidden from the forefront of my mind, leaving me feeling stressed and unfulfilled. I have not given over time to the passions in my life that inspire my creativity; running, reading, learning, walking and looking at gorgeous images. 

This week that will change. Its time to get back to what I do best; Being creative.

Tom

Perseverance.

In life one of the most important words we can talk about is perseverance.

No matter who you are, what you do, perseverance is key. Sometimes we all feel like giving up, beneath that mountain of editing, emails, phone calls, work..we can all feel like throwing in the towel but why, whats the point? If we do not persevere with what we started why are we bothering at all? 

The best things in life are those that we have worked hard for, those achievements that took weeks of hard work, many hours of patience and persistence. My best images are produced after many hours of work, not just with the camera in my hand but with the planning and preparation before the camera ever came into play!

Perseverance will make the difference between being good and being great at what you do. Natural skill can only get you so far, the rest is down to hard work and a determination to succeed. 

Perseverance is the only sure way to make you prevail.

Tom

Calling.

It is not often in modern life we hear about peoples callings. people have jobs, passions, hobbies but callings… less so. I have always loved the natural world, ever since I was little. I did not choose to, I mealy could not escape the wonder of it it. The complexity of biology, the integration in ecosystems, the variety of life. Even now after studying it for many years, being able to observe it and even understand it, I’m blown away. Sharing the beauty of the natural world is all I wan’t to do. Be it through my photography, video, writing or word of mouth, I need to inspire others to understand the value of what we have on our planet.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” ― Albert Einstein

Wise words from a wise man. One day hopefully I too can inspire an generation to protect the value of our planet, not for resources or wealth but just due to the pure beauty of it.

Tom

Own Brand.

As a photographer I have worked out that I am not self employed. I am not freelance or flexible. I am all of these. I am my own brand. Everything I do effects my brand, my appearance, my work, my email responses as well as the people I talk to. Everything I do has an impact on my brand. As a single person working on his own, I may not seem like a brand, but everything I do is truly vital. For any consumer brand, being innovative, reliable, trendy, responsive and accessible are all vital for success. If I wan’t to be the best, I must do everything above…. and do it with blinding efficiency.

Tom

Creativity needs planning.

Planning is truly an essential element to being creative. As a photographer I spend a great deal of time
planning, sitting at home with a pen and paper producing rough sketches of images. Some of these take moments, others take hours. Having a plan helps me to make sure that when I am in the field, the images I produce are as good as they can be. Planning and preparation prevent piss poor performance!

Tom

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I love being busy. The feeling of having a purpose, things to do, people to see, photographs to take and work to finish. I love the little bit of stress that drives you forward, just enough to keep you on your toes, work your hardest and pull off your best work when you need to. Over the next week I have so much to do, but I can’t wait! I love my job and there is nothing like the feeling of accomplishing a hard weeks work and the satisfaction of knowing the payslip was truly earned!

Tom

Just because they didn’t, doesn’t mean you can’t.

In my life and especially as a young person there are many things that I have been told I can’t do. I have been told that dreams I have are “unattainable” or “wishful thinking”. In life I have already found that many people will say you can’t do things because they can’t. Do not get bogged down by the haters, hole pickers and sceptics. It is your life. Follow your dreams because if you don’t whats the point in having any?

I left school after my A levels, took time out because Uni isn’t where I want to be. I’m no sheep. I have always wished of a life of travel and exploration, creativity and enjoyment.

I am a now a 19 year old photojournalist/ explorer who over the next year is travelling round the world funded by others.

Dreams come true, but only if you make them.

Tom