“Embarking on a Captivating Journey”

Have you ever wondered how a simple childhood memory could eventually shape a lifelong passion? Well, that’s precisely how I stumbled into the enchanting world of portrait photography. Sit back, relax, and let me take you on a journey through time.

There I am: I’m a five-year-old boy on holiday in Devon with my nan, grandad, uncle and aunt, sporting a Native American headdress. A vivid memory etched into my mind is that photograph of me, standing proudly outside our holiday caravan. That headdress was more than just a costume; it was the first steps of my photographic journey.

My early encounters with photography were playful and carefree. Armed with my uncles little camera, I’d corral my nan, aunt, and uncle into posing for me. Their laughter and goofy faces painted lasting impressions in my mind. Did I actually take any photos then? I can’t be sure, but the memory of those joyful moments linger.

Oddly enough, I can’t recall having a camera of my own as a kid or during my youth, but my fascination with photographs, especially those featuring people, persisted. Life led me through various paths, from the forces to the licensing and catering trade and into social care with vulnerable and older people. Photography  always seemed a distant dream until the winds of change swept me off my feet and carried me to university in 1996.

My university days were marked by a passion for poetry, and I began to experiment with blending poetry and projected images on the human body. It was during this time that a dear friend gifted me an old Praktica film camera. At first, it was a puzzle I couldn’t solve. The camera’s manual settings baffled me, and my early attempts were hit and miss. But every miss only fuelled my determination to get it right.

Life, as I’ve said, took me down the winding road of health and social care and the charity sector after university, and my creative pursuits took a back seat. However, my fascination with photography endured. In 2004, I bought my first digital camera, a Sony a330. It was a game-changer. Suddenly, mistakes were allowed, and learning became a thrilling adventure. I started delving into manual settings, eager to unlock the camera’s full potential.

From that moment on, there was no looking back. Photography became my obsession, my muse. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various cameras, borrowing friends’ equipment and exploring camera stands. Yet, I always turn to my trusty faithful’s the Nikon D7000 and Nikon D750, steadfast companions that have accompanied me on countless photographic journeys.

Curious to see more of my photographic adventures in action? Visit my gallery pages here on my website or visit my Instagram site https://www.instagram.com/raygumbleyphotography/.  and lose yourself in the world of portraits and photographs I’ve had the privilege of capturing.