Defining moments

"In your life's defining moments there are two choices - you either step forward in faith and power or you step backward into fear."

Dreams, Detours & Determination: Navigating Unconventional Paths

At eighteen, I had big dreams — flying helicopters, working with police dogs, and somehow finding a way to help people through humanitarian work with Doctors Without Borders. The problem? None of it really fit the boxes life tried to put me in. Helicopters and dog handling were still considered “men’s work” in most of Europe, and the humanitarian world didn’t have much space for someone without a medical degree.

But dreams don’t care much for rules. They find their own way.

Starting Somewhere

Three years later, I was boarding a plane to the U.S. — determined to chase one of those dreams. Before that, I’d spent time in South Korea volunteering with the American Red Cross, teaching CPR to soldiers, families, and communities while waiting for my study visa. (and that is a whole story by itsself)

The goal was simple: become a helicopter pilot and prove that passion and persistence weigh more than stereotypes.

Dogs & Detours

Dogs have always been part of my life, but stepping into the world of working dogs was another story entirely. What started as curiosity turned into years of trial and error — sweat, laughter, and more than a few muddy paw prints on my heart.

Then came a turning point. Capturing the Essence: A Journey Behind the Lens

Somewhere on a road trip through South Africa, my lens found its focus — the K9s working tirelessly in conservation. From private game reserves to Kruger National Park, I set out to tell their stories — and found myself learning from them instead.

The African bush became my classroom. Heat, rain, long days — it all faded the moment a handler and his dog set off on patrol. There was something sacred about their partnership — a quiet trust, an unspoken rhythm.

Every photo became a love letter to that bond.

And somewhere behind the camera, I realized I didn’t just want to document it — I wanted to live it.

From Handler to Storyteller: Navigating Conservation in a Pandemic

When I finally began my dog handler training, the world shut down. COVID hit, and what was supposed to be a course turned into an unexpected experiment in survival, teamwork, and patience.

We were stranded on a reserve, surrounded by wilderness and uncertainty. With nowhere to go, we threw ourselves into the work — training dogs, learning from each other, and finding moments of laughter in the middle of lockdown chaos.

The dogs didn’t care about pandemics. They still needed to train, to track, to protect.

And as essential workers became the world’s quiet heroes, we joined that rhythm — dogs, handlers, rangers, and storytellers working side by side to protect wildlife in a world gone silent.

That time taught me that being a handler isn’t just about technique. It’s about trust, strength, and heart. The same goes for storytelling. Every photo became a reminder that even in isolation, connection endures — between people, between species, between worlds.

Bridging Boundaries: From Conservation to Humanitarianism

My path has always been a mix of conservation and compassion. The wild and the human.

Now, as I continue this journey, my camera has become my bridge — between field and community, between ranger and researcher, between the untamed and the unseen. Every frame tells a story worth remembering.

Because I’ve learned that the natural world needs people just as much as we need it.

And somewhere in between — in that shared space of curiosity, courage, and care — is where I feel most at home.

(photos: bog photography, clare james photography, kimberly wood)