Two Weeks On… Finding My Way Back

Well… two weeks have passed since my cameras went missing from the wood.

I won’t pretend it didn’t hit me hard—because it did. What hurt the most wasn’t just losing the gear… it was the thought that it could have been someone I know. That part stayed with me. It sat heavy.

For a while, I stopped going out with the camera altogether.

If I’m honest, I even thought about packing it all in.

Walking away.

But something didn’t feel right about that either.

So this week, I made a quiet decision… not to give up.

Instead of heading back to the same places, I kept it simple. Local. No pressure. No expectations. Just me and the camera again.

I spent some time with a group of Pekin ducks I’d had my eye on for a while.

And you know what… it felt good.

They weren’t doing anything special—just being themselves. Calm, a bit cheeky, full of character. But sitting there, watching them, taking it all in… it reminded me why I started this in the first place.

It wasn’t about chasing the perfect shot.

It was about the feeling.

Maybe that break was exactly what I needed.

I’ve changed where I go now. It feels like the right step for me—at least for this moment. A way to move forward without carrying the weight of what happened.

And in doing that, I’ve already found new moments… deer appearing quietly, unexpected encounters, little reminders that there’s always more out there if you’re willing to look.

Some things, though, I’ll be keeping to myself. Locations will stay private, and I’ll continue sharing more generally as West Yorkshire. It just feels like the right boundary to have now.

On a more positive note, I’ve started a new photography group—something I hope can grow into a space where people come together, share what they see, and support each other. That’s something I want to build.

Creatively, I’ve got a few ideas forming too.

I’m thinking about putting together sets of bookmarks paired with greeting cards—starting with robins, and possibly the Pekin ducks as well. They’ve turned out better than I expected. I’ve also captured a couple of Gypsy cobs recently, and those images feel like they’ve got something special to them too.

But more than anything, this time away has given me space to reflect.

It’s reminded me to slow down again.

To focus on composition.

To get things right in-camera, not rush the moment.

So that’s where I’m at right now.

Not rushing. Not forcing it.

Just trying to do things better.

If you would like to follow my mental health journey, please like and follow my page. It means the world to have you onboard.