I didn’t come to photography through a traditional route.

I wasn’t handed a camera as a child, and I didn’t grow up knowing this was what I wanted to do. I did always enjoy drawing and sketching though, and later in life I wanted to turn that urge to make something visual into a more deliberate creative practice.

Photography gave me that outlet, but it also appealed to how my brain works. Alongside the creative side, I wanted to understand what was actually happening. Things like settings, light, exposure, and the decisions behind an image mattered to me just as much as the photograph itself.

Early on, I found myself enjoying the images I was making, while also wanting to understand them better. Not just whether they worked, but why they worked, and what I could do differently next time. That curiosity has shaped how I approach photography ever since.

I spent a long time photographing woodland, which forced me to slow down and be patient. Light changes gradually, scenes take time to come together, and progress comes from paying attention rather than reacting. That experience taught me a lot about light, timing, and restraint.

Over time, I began applying that same way of working to city, street, and urban photography. The pace is different, but the principles are the same. Observing light, anticipating moments, and making deliberate decisions rather than chasing everything happening in front of you.

Along the way, I became aware of how rarely photography is taught in a way that reflects what learning actually feels like. The uncertainty, the frustration, and the slow process of building understanding are often skipped over, even though that’s where most people struggle.

Focus Mode grew out of that experience. It reflects how I work and how I teach. An approach built around understanding, judgement, and attention, rather than speed or shortcuts.

My aim isn’t to push a single way of shooting or thinking. It’s to help photographers feel more confident in their decisions, enjoy the process more, and develop at a pace that feels sustainable.