Rediscovering Meaning in a World of Images
What if I told you that photography is one of the last universal languages we have?
A single image — captured in a fraction of a second — can say something no words ever could. But oddly, despite taking more photos than ever before, we feel less connected to them.
Many of us shoot for algorithms. For trends. For numbers on a screen.
And in doing so, we often lose the thing that made us pick up a camera in the first place.
But every now and then, something breaks through the noise.
For me, that moment came years ago, in Uganda. Back in 2019.
I made a video about this recently, part of my Moments of Mood mini podcast episodes…
I was still relatively early in my journey, even though I thought I knew what I was doing. A hobbyist, really. Not chasing perfection, just trying to figure out what kind of photographer I wanted to be.
I had just come back from trekking with gorillas and decided to spend a few extra days wandering the local villages, camera in hand. Eventually, I found a guide—someone who could speak the language, and more importantly, someone who could open doors I would never be able to open on my own.
That’s how I ended up sitting in a small, sun-drenched home, sharing bananas and coffee with a local family. No plans, no pressure. Just people, stories, and time.
And then I saw her.
A shy girl, 10 years old, standing quietly off to the side. Her dress, a faded green, was the same colour as the banana leaves she clutched in her hands. She didn’t speak. She just watched. Curious, but still.
I asked, with a soft gesture, if I could take her photo. She nodded. And then, for a moment — just a moment — everything lined up.
It wasn’t a technical masterpiece. Nothing was planned, other than the small area I had setup with my light and a brick wall backdrop. It was all luck.
But it meant something.
Not because of the subject. Not even because of the photograph.
But because in that sliver of time, two strangers from different worlds met in a moment of silent understanding.
The camera had become a bridge.
And that changed everything.
I didn’t realise it fully at the time. But that day taught me something I’ve returned to again and again over the years: Photography is never just about what’s in the frame. It’s about why you’re holding the camera in the first place.
That photo became a compass.
It reminded me that the true magic of photography lies not in what we capture — but in what we connect with. All my favourite photos are my favourite because of the experience, not because of the photo.
So remember that when you mindfully turn your hand to your camera, maybe pause first. Maybe think about the experience and absorbing the interactions, the smells, the sights, the moment.
In 2 weeks’ time…
I’ll take you deeper into this idea.
We’ll explore the human side of portrait photography — how trust, empathy, and energy shape the image far more than any technical setting ever could.
If you’ve ever taken a portrait that felt flat, or struggled to get your subject to open up, it’ll be right up your street.
Until then — keep noticing.
Happy Shooting,
