The last year 2024 felt remarkable for my photography, marked by achievements I'm proud of. My work earned honorable mentions at the Paris International Street Photography Awards, I connected with an amazing creative community on Instagram, and I reached 5,000 followers—an accomplishment that felt significant because it happened naturally. I also began collaborating with Streetianity.com, where my limited edition prints are now available, and I had the chance to share my story in an interview with them.
But as 2025 began, I found myself struggling with inspiration. After spending time with family in Poland over the holidays, I had limited opportunities for photography. Even when I had the chance to go out, the spark just wasn't there. My mother flew back to Australia, my wife and kids returned to Paris, and I was left feeling a little stuck.
Mid-January brought a turning point. While driving from Gdansk to Paris, I stopped in Berlin and found myself drawn to the city's U-Bahn stations. The energy, the light, and the movement all provided a creative spark, reminding me of why I love street photography. It wasn't enough to fully reignite the passion I had in 2024, but it was a step in the right direction.
Balancing my role as an HSE senior manager, family life, and photography has always been a challenge. I often struggle with guilt when I take time for myself, and my ADHD and OCD bring their own creative hurdles. Seeing other photographers' work can be both inspiring and daunting, and I sometimes feel like I'm repeating the same ideas. But I'm learning to work through those thoughts and embrace the process.
Despite a slow start to the year, there were still small wins, one of my images received over 1,000 likes, which was a nice surprise. Now, I'm looking ahead. I have an upcoming street photography workshop in Paris, and I'm committed to pushing my work forward. One of my goals for 2025 is to write a monthly blog about my progress, and this is the first step.
Here's to finding inspiration in the unexpected.
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