About

Hello, and welcome to ‘The Photographer’s Way’.

First Steps

The Photographer’s Way was set up as part of a health related life change. I’d worked in central government for almost twenty years when I hit a wall, had a major breakdown and left the service. It took me over two years to recover, and feel almost ready to face the world again. Attending an open evening at a local college to explore writing course options, I found there were none. However, there was a photography qualification which appealed. So I submitted a portfolio of my nature and landscape photography. To my surprise, my application was successful, and I spent the next couple of years studying theory and practice of photography.

I graduated with distinction and set up a photography business, specialising in pet and people portraits. As part of this venture, I established the blog, envisaging that it would be somewhere I could share my experience of setting up in business. Working with animals has always been a joy. But I am neurodivergent and since my breakdown, I struggle more than ever to interact with people. And however hard I worked, business management was not my forte. I realised I would find more pleasure in photographing for enjoyment rather than trying to do it for income.

On Writing

Having already had a successful career, it took time to admit the photography business was not viable. But I’d learnt the hard way that my health must come first, so I stopped photographing for anything more than pleasure.

Meanwhile, life was changing. The blog content evolved to reflect this. I began sharing my experience of parenting, and reflections on life generally. I retained the name though, as I have a lot of affection for photography. Creating images brought me back from the brink of darkness.

Building on the blog, I returned to one of my first loves. Writing. I am now a published poet and short story writer. My creative spark has found its voice. I write in the hope that someone will read, and photograph in the hope that someone will enjoy the pictures.

Based in Wiltshire, I share a home with my son, and many rescue animals.

I hope you enjoy reading, and perhaps some of what I write will resonate with your own experience. Please drop me a line if you’d like to get in touch.

Unless stated otherwise, all images on my site are copyrighted to Emma Lord.