It all started when…

For the longest time I have wanted to use a camera, take pictures and explore the creative side of my brain. In school I was really into Art, I was also into golf and those two talents took me across the world to Paris. No, not Paris, France… Paris, Texas…

I grew up in Zimbabwe and Botswana with a childhood steeped in sport. I never really cared much for art until I was in Botswana and studying my International Baccalaureate Diploma. I realised I had potential but was often distracted by my efforts on the golf course.

Needless to say I am also a perfectionist. After receiving an ‘A’ in my GCSE Art I went into a 2 year International Baccalaureate Diploma in Art and being a procrastinating perfectionist, I never completed a piece of art until about 4 weeks away from the final assessment.

The final assessment was an exhibition and needless to say, all my art was a mixed medium fest of frustration… Sadly the images of all my pieces, upon writing this page have vanished!

I also went through a graffiti stage in life…

And then I went to Paris to study art and play golf! Paris, Texas that is…

Yep, that is an Eiffel Tower with a cowboy hat on top…

I took that photo on a Sony 10 megapixel camera! I remember when I managed to persuade my parents to get me a camera, I just knew it was going to be so good. Then when digital cameras came out I was one happy bunny! That camera went everywhere with me and got some crazy drunken pictures in all parts of the world.

I studied fine art at Paris Junior College whilst trying to play golf for the college too. It was a crazy time… Mornings were spent drawing and being creative and then afternoons were spent on the golf course. Evenings… Well they were spent having fun (drinking) and doing things that college students do!

The first day at day in the art building I was faced with something I never expected, drawing a naked model! If i told you that I literally got off the plane with my golf clubs and had no idea what I was doing in America then you might laugh.

Of course I was there trying to play golf and study, but I didn’t really know what I would have to do, so when I was faced with a 65 year old naked woman to draw from scratch, I just figured what the hell! Let’s give this a go…

I had only ever drawn still life with pencil and charcoal or random graffiti in my home town with spray paint. I had never been asked to draw the proportions of a human being, let alone a naked one.

Here’s my finished piece though, which actually won an award at college!

After that I had some confidence under my belt and managed to produce several more pieces that won awards…

My stay in America came to an abrupt end in 2008 when the world economy fell apart and things became increasingly more expensive.

From there, I moved to London where I worked in bars and pubs to earn a living and eventually made it up to management level. Then, in my infinite wisdom and having put on 10 stone in weight (64kgs) I decided to leave my job with all my savings and buy a camera to become a photographer.

I spent all my money on a really nice DSLR and went walking London…

I made no money and got very sore feet, but I really loved being able to capture images like the ones below…

It’s safe to say that I never really knew what I was doing, until 2014.

6 years after moving to London I left the Big Smoke to embark on a health kick and new career discovery path working in Coventry. I still had my camera and whilst I was working my new (temporary job) I was deciding on what new career path I would choose.

Would it be returning to the golf course as a teaching professional?

Would it be as a photographer?

Or…

What if I turned my hand to making YouTube videos and becoming an Online Personal Trainer!

Great idea!

I lost weight and changed my life, so I thought that, surely, would be a great place to start!

I jumped in head first and used my creative skills to design and build my own online business, website and marketing strategy… I love the work I do through my company Raw Motion Fitness, however I will always wonder if I could have made it as a photographer and full time creative…

Maybe one day I will know for sure!

In the process of growing my company, Raw Motion Fitness, I never really spent much time on my hobby of art and photography.

Hence, I say on this website, I am a frustrated creative!

I even named the blog ‘A Photo A Day’ to keep myself accountable to the hobby itself, it doesn’t really work as a daily blog, but I do my best!

Sadly though the reality is that I am still finding it hard to be creative without feeling guilty about letting my business out of my sight.

Anyhoo, that’s it in a nutshell! I hope you enjoy what you see here!